Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Thanksgiving 2025: Every Day's a Gift

Hello, readers, and Happy November. Today I am sharing a tablescape for Thanksgiving 2025: Every Day's a Gift**. I invite you to join me in acknowledging this season of gratitude for all the gifts bestowed upon us, for every day is a gift in itself.
I am also hosting several very talented bloggers in a blog hop of their renditions of Thanksgiving tablescapes. Their links will be found further in this post.

Thanksgiving is a holiday not only of gratitude, but is a celebration of the autumn harvest, with pumpkins being one of the fruits most abundantly available (besides cranberries and apples). Although pumpkins start appearing in markets by early September, the cooler days of late October and early November are more conducive to their longevity. My tablescape was inspired by a pumpkin trio decorating workshop I participated in in early October. 
I made the pumpkins central to my table theme, which were created with real pumpkins, moss, and dried flowers provided by a local flower farm in the workshop. I swapped out the smaller orange pumpkin for a white one for the table.
My plate stack consists of a salad plate with pumpkin design, resting upon a charger plate in coordinating colors to be used as the dinner plates. If you are a dishaholic like so many of us are, you are aware that all plate sizes have grown over the years. The fact is, we eat larger portions, and so manufacturers, over time, accommodated our habits. A 13" charger plate as dinner plate makes all the sense in the world of Thanksgiving dinners. I mean, isn't the goal to eat so much you slip into a pseudo hibernation state afterward?? Plus, the plates are dishwasher and microwave safe (for reheating).
The plate stack coordinated nicely with the tablecloth I found online, and the feather placemats are ones I love using this time of year, as is the twig flatware. Neutral colored linen napkins and felted pumpkin napkin rings, along with clear glassware and wine stems, tones down the patterns on the table. Indian corn is fanned at either end of the table, finishing the overall centerpiece trio of decorated pumpkins.
The small turkey on the right side of the table in the photo above was found recently at an estate sale. It was unique in that it is ceramic, and trimmed in actual pine cones. I couldn't tell if it was a homemade creation or not, but it appeared to be. There was an even larger one available, but I opted for the understated size.
A little candle glow is always a nice touch for the shorter days of this season, and so I added my rose mercury glass votive holders with battery-operated votives for a fuss-free addition.
Source List for Thanksgiving 2025: Every Day's a Gift
Tablecloth, salad plates (Certified International), votive candles - Amazon
Chargers (John Derian) as dinner plates - Target and eBay
Feather placemats, napkins, twig flatware - Pier 1
Napkin rings - HomeGoods
Glassware - vintage Mr. P's
Rose mercury votive holders - Afloral
Ironstone pedestal, turkey - vintage finds
Pumpkins, florals - Muddy Mountain Flower Farm
Indian corn - Capitol Market

My sideboard in the dining room is decorated with the wood-turned vase I used in my recent fall tablescape, filled with flowers gifted to me by my neighbor. The clay pottery pumpkins are by a local artist, Brass Bell Pottery.
Links to all the participating stylists in this Thanksgiving Tablescape blog hop are listed below. Each link will take you directly to the posts. I hope you'll enjoy the seemingly endless talents of these bloggers!


Side Note** Thanksgiving is an obvious holiday to express our gratitude, but it is important to understand that every day is a gift. I come from a large family and am the youngest of nine. Having eight siblings is the greatest gift our parents could have ever given us. This past month, my Panoply sister Jackie passed away after a very brief and unexpected health issue. She was number 3 of 9, and the first of us siblings to pass. Her 80th birthday would have been November 6th, and instead of celebrating that milestone, we're celebrating her life on the 10th and 11th, with a family luncheon to follow, which will be a Thanksgiving. 

Our hearts are heavy as we navigate life going forward, and especially after sharing 17 years together as Panoply sisters in our local antique mall. Cheers, Jackie, and Happy, Heavenly Birthday! I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be so close to you, even though we're 12 years apart in age. You are missed  💔
May each of you enjoy the blessings of this Thanksgiving season - every day!
By at

12 comments:

  1. MaryNovember 4, 2025 at 5:47 AM

    Oh Rita, I’m so sorry to read about your sister Jackie. I know your heart is heavy with the loss, especially with her in your antique booth business. Please know I’m thinking of you with her birthday two days away. I hope you and your siblings are able to celebrate her life and take comfort from one another. 🙏
    I love the pairing of your pumpkin plates with your ‘feathers’ chargers and mats. The addition of the blue in your plates and tablecloth are such a refreshing departure from the traditional autumnal color palette. Love the overhead shot of your table! Your floral pumpkin from your workshop (what fun!) makes a beautiful centerpiece for your table. I love the mini ones too…what a great idea to use the dried floral material for longer beauty and enjoyment for the season. What a cute little gobbler your estate find is too, love the pinecone tailfeathers. Thank you so much for organizing our hops. I’m thankful for you! Happy November 🦃🍂🧡

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  2. Kari Rogers MillerNovember 4, 2025 at 6:57 AM

    Rita, I am grieving with you...I lost my sister (a year apart in age, she was the middle of three) and her birthday the 6th of November also....mine is the 13th. Prayers with you and your family as you celebrate your sister's wonderful life and all she has meant to you, and knowing that there will be a glorious reunion one day.
    Your table is lovely and you and I have similar settings. I smiled as I saw the same feather placemats and John Derian (Target) dinner plates as they are still in my stash, but were definitely considered for my table today. (I love the touch of blue). The Indian corn and vintage turkey blend perfectly with your lovely tablecloth. How sweet of your neighbor to gift you the lovely flowers for your wood turned vase on your sideboard. The overhead photo is perfect. Special hugs today to go with your special memories. Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted."🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🍂🍁🙏🏻

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  3. My thrift store addictionNovember 4, 2025 at 7:19 AM

    Rita, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your sister and you have my condolences and prayers; the title of your post is especially meaningful given your loss. What a lovely Thanksgiving setting! I love your floral pumpkin centerpiece--it is absolutely gorgeous and your sweet pine cone turkey also caught my eye. Every detail is a delight and I am thankful for the time and commitment you dedicate as our "hostess with the most-est." :)

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  4. MaureenNovember 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM

    So very sorry for the loss of your sister Rita. Will keep you and your family in my prayers. Your Thanksgiving table is giving me such serene and calming vibes. I love the muted colours of the tablecloth and the pumpkin plates. The feather chargers are perfect and co-ordinate so well with the dinner plates. The pumpkin centrepiece is darling, and I have wanted to try this myself! Thank you for hosting, as I can't imagine it is an easy feat!

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  5. Pam RichardsonNovember 4, 2025 at 7:57 AM

    Rita, I lost my comment. I am so very sorry to read of the sudden passing of your beloved sister, Jackie. I know you were so close with your antique business. At best, life is very short and each and every day is a gift. I will be praying for you and your family as you celebrate Jackie’s life and then through the process of grieving and missing her.

    I love the centerpiece of pumpkins! How fun to attend a workshop. The plate stack is perfect for the season…pumpkin plates, a dinner plate that is actually a charger, and the feather placemat that I am particularly fond of. The estate find of the turkey with actual pine cones as feathers is unique and a great find! Your sideboard is lovely with the oil painting hanging above. I appreciate your fabulous organizational skills and am thankful for all you do to make the blog hops successful!

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  6. Ann Krucek/Corner of Plaid and PaisleyNovember 4, 2025 at 8:15 AM

    Rita, I am so very sorry for the loss of your sister, my heart is heavy with what you are feeling. I can relate because I lost my very dear sister last year, her birthday is today- so I think seeing all of these thankful posts will help the soul. Prayers for you and your family. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼I love that you made your beautiful dried flower arrangement at a workshop!! Love the colors, so striking in the overhead shot!! Your feather placemats and “charger” plate are fantastic- I don’t know how I missed that boat- I shop at Target all the time. Your pumpkin plates go beautifully with the tablecloth, all making a fabulous table to celebrate those we are thankful for❤️❤️

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  7. Patti @ Pandoras BoxNovember 4, 2025 at 8:22 AM

    Your table is so colorful - love the centerpiece (I made a mini one a few years back!). The plates match your table cloth perfectly! I am "thankful" for you keeping us all together for this hop as blogging has certainly changed throughout the years! Again, so sorry to hear about your sister, as you celebrate her life, remember the special moments of your antique hunts (one of mine is the photo of one of you holding your underarm as you waved to the others!!). Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. Linda @ Life and LindaNovember 4, 2025 at 8:33 AM

    Dear Rita, I am saddened to know your beloved sister Jackie, has passed. Heartbreak is something we all have to experience. Our hearts will go on, however we have a special place in our hearts for those we have lost. I lost my little sister Cynthia in 2004, totally unexpected. Prayers for your sweet family Rita. As for your table, it is beautiful. Love the tablecloth with your feather placemats, John Derian chargers and those wonderful pumpkin plates. Love your overhead shots. How lovely is the dried floral arrangement you made at the workshop. The estate turkey 🦃 find is pretty awesome with pine cone feathers. A very special post you have shared.Thank you as always for organizing this blog hop.❤️

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  9. Carole @ From My Carolina HomeNovember 4, 2025 at 8:42 AM

    So sorry for your loss. It is indeed a gift to have each day with those we love. Lovely tablescape for the holiday of gratitude.

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  10. ClaraNovember 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM

    Rita, I am sorry to hear of Jackie's passing so suddenly. Life is so unpredictable it seems. I know you were close and that she will be sorely missed. I know all of you share many great memories of her. You and your family will be in our prayers.

    I love your table! The linens are perfect and those chargers are a favorite! That little turkey is intriguing. I would love to know the process they used to meld ceramic and pine cones. It was probably just glue but that had to be time consuming. Your pumpkin plates and the tablecloth look as they they came from the same factory. They really compliment each other. Your table is so pretty and your clay pumpkins are gorgeous! Your dried floral arrangements are fabulous! That sounds like a fun class.

    Take care and do something special for yourself in memory of Jackie on the 6th. We know this is an emotional time for your family. Love and prayers to all of you. Clara❤️

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  11. SarahNovember 4, 2025 at 9:13 AM

    Rita, this is a beautiful tribute to your sister, Jackie. The loss of a sister, especially one so close to you in everyday life, creates a void that can't be filled. Gratitude is the key to finding the joy that helps one move forward after loss. There are endless things for which we can be grateful. Your friendship all these years is certainly a big part of my gratitude list.
    Your table, as always, is perfection. I love the way you used the JD feather chargers on your gorgeous real feather placemats. Love the touches of blue throughout this setting. I love the combo of blue and rusty oranges. Your pumpkin florals are prize worthy. I
    m always impressed with these beautiful pumpkin floral presentations.
    Thank you for organizing these tablescape hops. They are always fun! You are an efficient leader and hostess! Happy Thanksgiving. Grateful for our friendship!

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  12. Pattie @ Olla-PodridaNovember 4, 2025 at 9:29 AM

    Aw, Rita, I'm so sorry about your sister. My mother's name was Jackie, and I know what special people those Jackie gals are. It is really difficult celebrating those first holidays (or any subsequent ones, really) after such a loss. Your table is a lovely tribute.

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