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Home › Hospitality
10 Comments

The Thanksgiving Table: Ambiance, Hospitality, & Food

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jul 21, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links.

Tips for creating a warm & inviting Thanksgiving table.


He escorts me to His banqueting table, and it is obvious how much He loves me.  Song of Solomon 2:4

The makings of real Thanksgiving table is not about being perfect.  It’s about being hospitable.  It’s about the intimacy of a shared meal, the catching up, the retelling of family tales, and the commitment to honor the old and new of family.

Tips for creating a warm and inviting Thanksgiving table. And even though I want to talk about the joys of setting a good Thanksgiving table, rich with plaids and checks, and making the most of what you have, my mind keeps returning to Mary and Martha and the different ways those two sisters viewed hospitality.

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.

Mary and Martha opened their home to Jesus while He was visiting their town of Bethany.  Luke 10:40 says that “Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities.”  Who can blame her?  Jesus was at her house.  Can you imagine?  Could the house ever be clean enough?  Could the food ever be good enough?  Could there ever be enough preparation?

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.As Martha set to her preparations, she let the work of being a good hostess get in the way of what true hospitality is all about.  And as a result, the joy was sucked right out of having Jesus in her home.  

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another…  Be hospitable to one another without complaint.  1 Peter 4:8,9

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.True hospitality is not about us, our home, or even our food.  It about our guests.  It’s about the anticipation of shared moments.  It’s about togetherness.  It’s about giving.  

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.So this Thanksgiving, my challenge is that we not become so focused on the “what” of hospitality that we lose sight of the “why.”  If table settings bring you joy, then by all means, dress the table.  If my Thanksgiving table setting inspires you to grab a fringed throw or scarf and layer up your table with mixed and matched, passed-down dishes, and fill the center with pumpkins, nuts, and pine cones, then my heart will thrill.

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.

Tips for creating a warm and inviting Thanksgiving table.

But whether you use all of these ideas, only one of these ideas, or just enjoy the pictures, have a warm and welcoming Thanksgiving filled those family and friends you love the most.

Tips for creating a fabulous and functional Thanksgiving table.Happy Thanksgiving!

***

Rich plaids, checks, and textures. But a real Thanksgiving table isn't about perfection. It's about hospitablity. How to create a warm and welcoming Thanksgiving table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need more Thanksgiving inspiration? From recipes to decor to family encouragement, A Southern Discourse Thanksgiving House has you covered!
Need more Thanksgiving inspiration? From recipes to decor to family encouragement, A Southern Discourse Thanksgiving House has you covered!

 

 

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Filed Under: Fall, Holidays, Hospitality Tagged With: Thanksgiving

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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  1. Gina Ritchie

    November 21, 2016 at 10:02 am

    What a lovely setting. I am always looking for new ideas for dressing up my holiday table. I have the gourds already. Perfect.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 22, 2016 at 9:54 am

      Thank you, Gina! I love that you do a Thanksgiving table. Don’t you just love it when you can use what you already have? It’s the only way to go!

      Reply
  2. Kristen

    November 21, 2016 at 11:30 am

    Looks so cozy! And you’re absolutely right – we can let the details suck the joy out of an occasion if we’re not careful! Great reminder for us hostesses. =)

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 22, 2016 at 10:00 am

      Kristen,

      I have noticed here lately that if I get grumpy and stressed about preparing for an occasion, it really affects my teenagers’ attitudes about the occasion itself or about hosting things. I so don’t want to sour them towards “hospitality” by making it chore when it should be a blessing to both the giver and receiver. As much as anything, this was a post to myself so that I can pass on the joys of hospitality and not the “have-to’s.” Plus, I want to bless the Lord, right?

      Reply
  3. Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors

    October 19, 2017 at 10:00 am

    What a beautiful Thanksgiving table! I love all of rich color…so pretty!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 1, 2017 at 10:34 pm

      Thanks, Shannon! I always admire the way you use color!

      Reply
  4. Kim

    October 19, 2017 at 11:19 am

    This is beautiful, Stacey, and beautifully written. I agree with all! I’ve not met you before finding you today at Tablescape Thursday, but it’s so nice to meet you, my sister. I’ve been reading in John over the last week, and I read your description of Mary and Martha on Jesus’s visit several days ago. This morning, we returned to their home six days before the crucifixion and after Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. I love God-incedents like that! I pinned an image so I can find you later. I’ll return to read more sometime in the near future (I hope). 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 1, 2017 at 10:33 pm

      Oh, Kim! Wow! That is amazing. I have loved visiting your blog! It is just gorgeous, and I love what you say about using skill and knowledge to help others. I can’t wait to read more!! I think we might have been separated at birth!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Rustic White Pumpkin Table - a southern discourse says:
    September 30, 2017 at 9:12 am

    […] The Thanksgiving Table: Ambience, Food, & Hospitality […]

    Reply
  2. Monday Coffee Break #6 - a southern discourse says:
    October 29, 2018 at 7:41 am

    […] The Thanksgiving Table: Ambience, Hospitality, & Food  A layered mix and match Thanksgiving table with plaids, checks and the colors of fall!  Nothing could be more inviting!  Grab a little inspiration for your Thanksgiving table this year. […]

    Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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