Anyone who knows me well will tell you I love to entertain and host a party. Thanksgiving has not ever been one I hosted because we’d go to Chicago for my husband’s family or stay in KC with my family. But since moving, Thanksgiving has been on our own.

Last year was the first time I ever made a turkey, and it turned out amazing. It was so fun to put together our meal and begin our tradition for the holiday as a family.

So this year I’m excited because we will actually have guests to hosts. James has a cousin who moved to Berkeley this year, so when his aunt and uncle said they would be in town we immediately invited them over.

I haven’t always been that into decorating for fall until I had kids. It’s so fun to see Aria get excited for each holiday as we decorate and talk to her about why we’re celebrating.  So in order to get ready I made a trip to Big Lots to look for items on a budget. A lot of their fall items were half price already because they had all of their Christmas stuff out.

1. Table Runner: I already had the fall table runner (not even sure where I got it), but I love the dark copperish color of it. It has leaves embroidered on it so it’s perfect to last you all fall through Thanksgiving.

2. Centerpiece: This is the focal piece. I actually got this last year at CVS (but found it on  Big Lots‘ website) because we had just moved to CA and hadn’t moved all of our stuff because we were living in an apartment until we found a house. But, like always I was dying to have SOMETHING to decorate for fall and this pumpkin votive holder was it. I just love candles on the table so this is just one more way to get them in.

3. Florals: I do buy fresh flowers every week because I just love them, but I am no florist and really not great at creating an arrangement. I found this leave, pumpkin and gourd garland at  Big Lots for $4! I love how the leaves have a little sparkle and shimmer to them.

4. Candles: They are always the easiest addition to any table to add a little ambiance and set the tone for the evening. These small leave hurricanes  were $3 for set of 2. They had multiple sizes, but our table is not that large so I opted for these cute, smaller ones. I then added some other votives for height dimension and BOOM….You’ve got the added glow everyone loves on a formal table.

5. Napkins: Honestly we are usually just grab some paper towels and we’re good kind of people. But, I do have a few sets of linen napkins for special occasions. Big Lots had these for $2 for a set of 4. They always give your table a certain elegance and polish to it. I added my fall napkin rings I picked up at Sur La Table several years ago.

6. China: I love our china. I have actually used it a ton since we’ve been married (coming up on 5 years). It is so simple and elegant and goes with any theme/style/holiday you are setting the table for. Our wine glasses are Riedel (because we just can’t use anything else) and champagne glasses are from Crate & Barrel.

7. Pumpkins, Gords, Pine Cones: I had the white pumpkins from our vine and the rest is actually from a vase filler set I picked up on clearance after Thanksgiving a few years ago.

Creating a great tablescape doesn’t have to cost a lot of money and can be pretty simple, depending on how elaborate or fancy you’re trying to achieve. You could easily grab a bundle of greenery at Trader Joes for $1.99 and then utilize any fruit and/or pumpkins you have around the house. I feel like every year or couple of years I am wanting new decor items, so shopping for these things at a place like  Big Lots is great. You’re guaranteed to enjoy your current items and won’t feel bad echanging any of the items out for new stuff the next year.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend with your families!

Kallie 

Linking up with Stylin in St. Louis, Doused in Pink + Curly Crafty Mom, Mix & Match Fashion, Elegance & Mommyhood, Living on Cloud Nine, Life of Malones + East Coast Chic,  Birdie Shoots,  Style Elixir, and Meet at the Barre