Arlington Handyman: Thanksgiving Prep: How We Celebrate

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Value City Furniture. All opinions are my own.

We have so much to be thankful for this year, and one of those things is the opportunity to spend the holiday with our extended family. We normally alternate between who we will spend Thanksgiving with. This year my mom and step-dad will be hosting, and I’ll be helping out. We often celebrate the holiday with my entire extended family — aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and sometimes even friends. We have a large family, so we have to find ways to logistically make the whole setup work for a big group. I’m teaming up with Value City Furniture today to share a look at our Thanksgiving prep, and to share some inspiration for how your home could be set up if you are hosting a big group.

For our Thanksgiving setup, we usually take several tables and push them together to create the look of one long table. This makes it easier for everyone to visit with each other rather than being totally cut off from one another. To make several tables look like one big table, simply cover them in one extra long tablecloth. You could also make your own with inexpensive fabric or even attach multiple tablecloths together. At a distance, you can’t even tell they’re separate tables! We also have a kid’s table — who doesn’t, right?

With a group this large, we have found it easiest to set everything up buffet-style rather than having all of the food on the table being passed around. We keep things pretty casual and informal. We also usually have a separate table for desserts — everyone’s favorite spot to graze. We do the whole meal potluck style, and everyone brings a dish to share. Often there are family recipes that make an appearance year after year.

I try to keep the décor simple yet elegant — I don’t think it needs to be elaborate. One great decoration idea that is economical yet beautiful is this scrap wood and mason jar centerpiece I made a while ago. Just put some simple mums or other flowers in the mason jars to make it seasonal. Also, candles go a long way in adding ambiance. Here’s a pro tip: Use LED candles — they are reusable and safe for small children and elderly relatives on oxygen or those dealing with other health issues.

For the place settings, I love using small pumpkins — white ones are my favorite — on each plate with a handmade place setting on top. I think natural elements are always beautiful for fall in general — painted acorns, glittery pine cones, branches and leaves. These can all be incorporated into a beautiful tablescape, and you don’t even have to spend any money on them. I also love the idea of creating a Thanksgiving tree like we did a few years ago. It’s a great conversation starter and so much fun to hear about the things that each family member is thankful for.

Here is a little mood board I put together for Thanksgiving, including one of the dining sets I love from Value City Furniture.

I was happy to partner with Value City Furniture because when Chris and I were newlyweds, some of the first pieces of furniture we ever bought happened to be from Value City Furniture. We wanted to make our home look nice, but we didn’t have much money to spend. Some of those “starter” pieces have lasted us until now, almost a decade later, and since we didn’t spend a ton of money on them we don’t mind having them located in kid-friendly spaces. We’ve been so grateful these quality pieces have followed us through the years. I also love that Value City Furniture is a “no pressure” type of a store. The employees genuinely want to help you find the perfect piece of stylish, affordable furniture rather than just “make a sale.” Every step of the process is geared toward meeting your needs because they feel everyone deserves a well-furnished life.

I recently checked out Value City Furniture’s selection, and I was pleased to see that they are keeping up with trends and have some really nice pieces available. If you’re looking for dining sets for your Thanksgiving dinner, I’ve chosen a few that I absolutely love!

One of my favorites was The Ashton Collection. You know I’m a sucker for anything with nailhead trim:

I also love the Portico Collection, which has more of a farmhouse feel.

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For smaller spaces, like an eat-in kitchen, the Rustica Collection has a cool rustic-meets-industrial vibe.

369094 If you plan on hosting upcoming Thanksgiving festivities and are still looking for the perfect piece to make your house a home, I suggest checking them out to take your dining space to the next level without spending big bucks.