25 Thanksgiving Dinner Themes to Impress Your Guests

1. Rich Greens Thanksgiving Theme

Where lush meets luxe: a Rich Greens Thanksgiving table spins traditional into trendy with its vibrant, earthy vibe.

• Table Linens: Choose a deep emerald tablecloth as the foundation of your Thanksgiving tablescape, perfectly offsetting softer, sage green napkins. This combination brings a look of refined nature to your dining space and sets a laid-back tone that tells your guests they’re in for something spectacular.
• Centerpiece: Try a low, sprawling arrangement of fresh evergreens. Nestle in some frosted pinecones and a smattering of bright white berries for a crisp contrast.
• Something Extra: Use glassware with subtle green tints and golden rims, catching the flicker of candlelight and enhancing the overall magical feel.

2. Shimmer and Gold Thanksgiving Theme

Strike gold this Thanksgiving with a gold shimmering tablescape—where every detail sparkles with sophistication and a sprinkle of holiday magic.

• Table Linens: Start with a sleek, gold table runner that runs the length of the table, over a crisp white tablecloth. This adds a sparkling effect, instantly brightening the setting.
• Centerpiece: For this theme opt for a modern, minimalist arrangement of tall, slim vases filled with white blooms and subtle gold accents. Add smaller gold mercury glass votives to softly light up the table.
• Something Extra: Finish off your table setting with gold flatware and crystal stemware with golden details. To really go the extra mile, place a small gold-painted pumpkin at each setting as a name card, tying back to the Thanksgiving theme. 

4. Burgundy and Copper Thanksgiving Theme

Try using a palette of burgundy and copper this Thanksgiving and watch your table transform from simple to simply stunning.

• Table Linens: Start with a burgundy velvet tablecloth that oozes sophistication. Add contrasting elements with copper mesh placemats under each plate, creating a play on textures.
• Centerpiece: Center your table with a floral arrangement featuring burgundy dahlias and copper-sprayed leaves. Surround the flower arrangement with copper wire fairy lights woven through the center of the table.
• Extra Touch: Serve drinks in copper mugs, perfect for Moscow mules or cider, tying the beverages into the theme.

5. Keep it Traditional Thanksgiving Theme

Feast your eyes on a traditional Thanksgiving tablescape that’s as stuffed with style as your turkey will be with stuffing!

• Table Linens: Drape your table in a golden-yellow tablecloth. Pair it with burgundy napkins for a contrast, folded with gold-accented flatware to bring a touch of old-world glamour to your Thanksgiving table.
• Centerpiece: Create a centerpiece with a long, low arrangement of red and orange roses interspersed with sprigs of eucalyptus and scattered acorns. Place this arrangement in a vintage wooden trough for a rustic touch that complements the floral display.
• Extra Touch:  For a bit of nostalgia, incorporate a few heirloom pieces like a family-owned serving platter or carved wooden serving spoons.

6.  Show your Gratitude for Thanksgiving Theme

Let's toast to thankfulness! A 'Show Your Gratitude' theme gets you back to the meaning of Thanksgiving.

• Table Linens:  Choose soft, earthy tones—think gentle browns, creamy whites, and soothing grays. Choose a tablecloth with subtle gold accents or embroidered messages of thanks.
• Centerpiece:  Center your table around a stunning gratitude tree. Use a simple branch, place it in a vase filled with stones or moss for stability, and hang tags from its limbs. Each tag can have words of gratitude or hopes for the future written by you and your guests as they arrive, creating a focal point that's both beautiful and meaningful.
• Extra Touch:  Add a personalized touch to each place setting with a handwritten note of thanks. These can be tied to the napkin rings or laid atop each plate, expressing specific reasons you're thankful for each guest. 

7. Farm-to-Table Thanksgiving Theme

 This Thanksgiving, we're going back to the roots with a celebration that’s as fresh as it is thankful.

• Table Linens:  Lay a tablecloth that reminds your guests of the rustic charm of the farm with a burlap table runner atop a simple, natural linen tablecloth. 
• Centerpiece:  Create a centerpiece using a wooden crate filled with a mix of fresh, colorful produce straight from the farm—think red apples, oranges, and pomegranates interspersed with greenery like eucalyptus or sage. Celebrate the season's harvest.
• Extra Touch:  Include a small herb pot at each place setting, with rosemary or thyme, which guests can take home as a reminder of the meal. 

9. Everything Plaid Thanksgiving Theme

This Thanksgiving, we're going mad for plaid! Join us as we dress our feast in the fabric of fall!

• Table Linens:  Use a classic tartan plaid tablecloth for this theme. The bold lines and rich colors provide a hearty backdrop that’s the perfect amount of cozy for Fall. For an eclectic twist, mix and match plaid napkins in varying patterns and colors.
• Centerpiece:  Create a centerpiece by arranging pinecones and cinnamon sticks inside clear glass jars wrapped in plaid ribbon. Place these jars at different heights using stacked books covered in a neutral fabric creating a multi-level display that smells as good as it looks.

• Extra Touch: Offer each guest a plaid throw folded neatly on their chair. 

10. Animal Print Thanksgiving Theme

This Thanksgiving, go wild at the table—an 'Animal Print Thanksgiving' is set to be a roaring good time.

• Table Linens:  Lay down a neutral sand-colored tablecloth and use animal print runners across the width of the table, creating stripes of pattern that invite guests to find their spot in the wild. Complement this with simple ivory china to keep the focus on the bold linens.

• Centerpiece:  Assemble a centerpiece by placing a large animal print vase at the center of the table and filling it with a dramatic arrangement of tall, dried grasses and branches. This adds height, drama, and also plays into the safari theme with natural, earthy elements.

• Extra Touch: Enhance the theme with custom animal print menu cards at each place setting.

11. Coastal Thanksgiving Theme

Set sail for serenity this Thanksgiving with our 'Coastal Thanksgiving'—where the turkey meets the tides.

• Table Linens: Set the scene with a light blue tablecloth that mimics the calm sea. Layer over this a sandy-colored table runner to represent the shoreline, providing a natural, beachy base for your coastal setup. For napkins, opt for a soft coral or seafoam green, tying them with twine and a small shell or starfish charm for a nautical touch.
• Centerpiece: Craft a centerpiece that feels like a piece of the ocean floor. Use a low, elongated tray filled with sand, candles set in glass holders and surrounded by a collection of seashells, starfish, and driftwood.
• Extra Touch: Hang a fishing net across one corner of the room or drape it behind the buffet table as a backdrop. Clip Polaroid photos of past beach trips or ocean-themed postcards onto the net with small wooden pegs adding a personal touch.

12. Farmhouse Thanksgiving Theme

Gather 'round the farmhouse table where every dish comes with a dash of country charm and a sprinkle of gratitude.

• Table Linens:   Place a burlap table runner on top of a crisp white tablecloth for a blend of texture and clean simplicity. Use mismatched vintage floral napkins to add color and an eclectic, homey feel to each place setting.
• Centerpiece: Create a centerpiece with a long, narrow dough bowl filled with a variety of gourds, dried berries, and twine-wrapped cinnamon sticks. Place pillar candles along the center of the table for a soft glow.
• Extra Touch: Place a small, hand-painted wooden sign at each setting with phrases like "Give Thanks," "Harvest Blessings," or "Grateful Hearts."

13. Boho Thanksgiving Theme

This Thanksgiving, we're turning up the eclectic charm...

• Table Linens: Drape your table with colorful tablecloths featuring patterns like mandalas or paisleys, giving your table an artistic vibe. Layer over this mismatch with colorfully embroidered napkins at each place setting, each tied with a braided leather cord for extra bohemian pizzaz.
• Centerpiece: Create a centerpiece with mismatched glass bottles, each filled with feathers, dried wildflowers, and tall grasses. Place small candles down the center.
• Extra Touch: Scatter a few crystal geodes and agate slices around the table to serve as unique, natural decor pieces. 

14. Sports-Obsessed Thanksgiving Theme

Ready, set, feast! Tackle your hunger at our Sports Obsessed Thanksgiving—where the game day meets turkey day

• Table Linens: Kick off your Thanksgiving with table linens that look like a football field. A green tablecloth marked with yard lines and napkins in the colors of your favorite team in the superbowl will give your sports enthusiasts so much joy. SPlace football-shaped placemats at each setting to drive the theme home.
• Centerpiece: Place vintage football helmets or footballs on a bed of autumn leaves and mini pumpkins. Add a small scoreboard display with "Give Thanks" as the team name, blending sports fever with Thanksgiving spirit.
• Extra Touch: Serve a tailgate-inspired snack station as an extra touch. This can include mini sliders, nachos, and other gameday favorites served in small, sporty containers.

15. Cornucopia Thanksgiving Theme

Come gather 'round the horn of plenty—a Cornucopia Thanksgiving promises a table as abundant as our thanks.

• Table Linens: Try a rich, golden-yellow tablecloth that reminds you of the hues of an autumn harvest. This will instantly warm up the room. For napkins, go with a deep burgundy for that pop of color, and maybe tie each one with a twine and a sprig of cinnamon.
• Centerpiece: Center stage needs a showstopper, right? Fill a traditional cornucopia basket with an overflow of goodies—not just your typical fruits and veggies. Think colorful dried corn, vibrant squash, glistening apples, and maybe toss in some unexpected pomegranates. Let it spill over the table's center for that 'abundance' vibe.
• Extra Touch: Don’t stop there; add a playful touch with mini cornucopias at each place setting, filled with treats or personalized notes of gratitude.

16. Around the World Thanksgiving Theme 

Pack your appetites, we're taking Thanksgiving on a global tour—get ready for an around-the-world feast that spans every time zone!

• Table Linens: Let’s lay the world at your guests' feet—or, well, forks! Start with a map-themed tablecloth that features a vintage or contemporary world map. For napkins, go with simple, solid colors that match the most prominent hues on the map to keep things tidy and chic.
• Centerpiece: Try a globe surrounded by an assortment of international items like mini Eiffel Towers, small statues of Liberty, or even tiny Great Walls. Nestle some tea lights around these landmarks.
• Extra Touch: Every explorer needs a passport, right? Create custom passports for each guest that include their name and a visa stamp for each course or country represented on your menu.

17. Pie Bake Off Thanksgiving Theme

This Thanksgiving, the secret ingredient is competition! Join us for a pie baking showdown where the crusts are flaky and the stakes are delicious

• Table Linens: Go for a minimalist look with a natural, cream-colored linen tablecloth that won’t distract from the pies themselves. Use plaid napkins for a pop of pattern and color to add some visual interest.
• Centerpiece: Set up a tiered stand in the center of the table and decorate it with mini pies and seasonal fruits. This edible centerpiece can serve as both decoration and a teaser for the tasty competition to come.
• Extra Touch: Arrange a pie tasting area where each pie can be displayed with a small name tag explaining its type and baker. Provide scorecards for each guest to rate the pies on taste, appearance, and creativity.

18. Wine Pairing Thanksgiving Theme

Pour, pair, and give thanks—a Wine Pairing Thanksgiving fuses the harvest with the vine.

• Table Linens: Choose a classic white tablecloth as your backdrop, reminiscent of a sophisticated dinner party, but add a playful twist with runner and napkins patterned with autumn leaves and wine glasses.
• Centerpiece: Create a long, low arrangement of candles and antique wine bottles, some still with labels, others de-labeled and used as candle holders or vases for deep red roses and golden chrysanthemums.
• Extra Touch: For the wine pairing, pair each wine with traditional holiday dishes. Start with a light, sparkling wine with appetizers, move to a full-bodied red for the turkey, and finish with a sweet dessert wine for pies. Provide cards at each setting explaining why each wine complements the dish.

19. Vegetarian Thanksgiving Theme

Feast on the harvest! A Vegetarian Thanksgiving sprouts dishes that are fresh, flavorful, and festively green!

• Table Linens: Set the table with a white tablecloth, then sprinkle your table with a runner and napkins in floral or leaf patterns. This botanical setting reflects a garden-fresh theme and keeps the atmosphere light and airy.
• Centerpiece: Use a low, long wooden planter box as your centerpiece, filled with an arrangement of edible herbs like rosemary, thyme, and basil, alongside blooming kale and chard.
• Extra Touch: Since you’re going vegetarian, make sure your menu includes hearty, filling options that leave everyone satisfied. Offer a main dish like a pumpkin risotto. Don’t forget to include a rich dessert, like a vegan pumpkin pie, to finish the meal on a sweet note.

20. Tailgate Thanksgiving Theme

Huddle up for a Tailgate Thanksgiving

• Table Linens: Pick a checkered tablecloth in bold colors that reflect a more traditional picnic style but choose colors that match the teams playing in the Superbowl this year. Pair it with solid-color napkins and silverware wrapped in bandanas for a casual, laid-back touch.
• Centerpiece: Create a centerpiece using miniature footballs and helmets mixed with small pumpkins painted in team colors. Set them on a bed of autumn leaves and LED tea lights.
• Extra Touch: Set up a buffet-style line with thermoses of hot apple cider and a carving station for turkey. Provide picnic blankets and lawn chairs for seating, creating a cozy, camp-like atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy the game on a portable screen.

21. Get Crafting Thanksgiving Theme

Craft a new Thanksgiving tradition this year!

• Table Linens: Spread out a canvas tablecloth that guests can doodle on throughout the day—think of it as a living guest book of gratitude! Supply fabric markers in a variety of fall colors (oranges, reds, yellows) for guests to create their own designs or write what they’re thankful for this year.
• Centerpiece: For a centerpiece that doubles as a craft, set up a 'create-your-own centerpiece' station with clear vases, colorful sand, stones, and fall-themed items like mini pumpkins, pinecones, and fake leaves. Let guests layer their materials as they like, crafting a personalized centerpiece.
• Extra Touch: Kick off the dinner with a DIY placemat station for when the kids arrive. Provide plain placemats, stamps, stencils, and fabric paints.

22. Farm Animal Thanksgiving Theme

Get ready to gobble up some fun with this farm-inspired Thanksgiving theme.

• Table Linens: Set the mood with a gingham tablecloth in classic red and white, giving that perfect country picnic vibe. Pair it with napkins in solid colors and tie them with twine topped with a small, toy farm animal for a fun, themed touch.
• Centerpiece: Create a centerpiece with a miniature wooden barn and arrange small, plush farm animals around it. Scatter hay bales (small decorative ones, of course), cornstalks, and pumpkins.
• Extra Touch: Set up a 'petting zoo' corner with plush farm animals and interactive farm-themed books for the little ones. Include a crafting table where kids can make their own animal masks or decorate cookies shaped like farm animals.

23. Learn About The History Thanksgiving Theme

This Thanksgiving, dish up a slice of history with every bite. 

• Table Linens: Drape your table in a rich, earth-toned tablecloth that looks like it dates back to the first Thanksgiving. Choose napkins designed with vintage prints of the Mayflower or Plymouth Colony, held together with napkin rings crafted from mini replicas of the Mayflower ship.
• Centerpiece: Arrange a collection of traditional Native American crafts in the center, such as woven baskets, pottery, and beaded items, mixed with natural harvest elements like corn ears, squash, and beans.
• Extra Touch: Include a trivia game about Thanksgiving, with questions hidden under each plate. Winners can receive small prizes like miniature pumpkin pies or handcrafted turkey decorations.

24. Honey I Shrunk Thanksgiving Theme

This Thanksgiving, we're shrinking the feast but not the flavor.

• Table Linens: Choose a clean, crisp white tablecloth to make your colorful mini dishes pop. Place a table runner and placemats in burlap for a rustic touch that contrasts with the elegant simplicity of the main linen.
• Centerpiece: Build a mini edible centerpiece using cut vegtables arranged to mimic a turkey—using different types of vegtables to color the 'feathers."
• Extra Touch: Offer a dessert buffet of mini pies—apple, pecan, pumpkin, and cherry—each a perfect bite or two. Pair each pie with a miniature scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to complete the adorable presentation.

25. Pajama Party Thanksgiving Theme

Slip into your favorite PJs and join us for a Thanksgiving theme where the dress code is comfort and the menu is stuffed with warmth.

• Table Linens: Use a patchwork quilt as a tablecloth for an authentic slumber party vibe. It’s visually appealing and instantly sets a casual, laid-back tone. Choose napkins that mimic small pillows, tied with ribbon to look like they're freshly fluffed."
• Centerpiece: Craft a 'dream catcher' centerpiece using a large hoop adorned with feathers, beads, and ribbons. Hang it just above the table to catch the beautiful dreams of a perfect Thanksgiving while eating under its protective charm.
• Extra Touch: Encourage everyone to come in their favorite pajamas and slippers, and prepare a pillow fort area in the living room for post-dinner lounging. Throw in some board games and classic movies to keep the entertainment going as you digest the feast.