Thanksgiving Entertaining Essentials

Thanksgiving is a time for embracing family and friends. We remember and celebrate all that we are grateful for. It’s a time to relax and share good food, good laughs, and we make new memories of times to be told at our next Thanksgiving gathering.
What better way to show how grateful you are for what you have than to give someone else the opportunity to experience such joy? With every Ten Thousand Villages purchase comes the peace of mind that the person who created that beautiful tablecloth or soup bowl has been paid fairly for their work. So set a table that pleases the eye and warms the heart.

Simple Steps to a Fair Trade Table Setting:

Begin with a Backdrop

For a warm and inviting backdrop begin with the tablecloth. The Enchanted Field Tablecloth and Napkin are a great place to start. The intricate design is block-printed in the traditional method of aligning a single stamp against the previous imprint for a repeated pattern with a seamless appearance. In warm hues of yellow and red, this tablecloth reminds us of an enchanted field of wildflowers.
Next, you’ll want to find some placemats. The Sari Placemat is made from real recycled saris and comes with a matching Napkin Ring. In colors of cream and mustard, this placemat will whet the appetite with cheer.

Candle Centerpiece

Centerpieces and candles are a must for holiday decorating. This special occasion only comes once a year, so set it up as such. The Amber Glow Hurricane Glass follows that golden yellow color scheme and will emit a warm and soft comforting glow all evening long. Accent this larger center candle with some smaller ones. The Jali Work Candleholder houses tiny tealights. Line up several of these special hand-carved stone pieces to achieve the magical effect that can only be accomplished by flickering candlelight.

Serving Sets

Serving pieces are the next consideration. In Uganda, baskets are given to close friends and family at holidays or special occasions. If you’re hosting the feast, Ugandan baskets, like the Blossom in Bloom Basket, are a beautiful way to serve bread, the symbol of sustenance. They make a great hostess gift as well. The Amber Glow Bowl will match your centerpiece nicely, so you may even want to use several of them to disperse that lovely warm shade across the table. Pair these bowls with Wooden Salad Servers for a look that is rustic and harvest-ready.

Places, Everyone

And of course, no table would be complete without bowls and goblets. For a first course soup setting, try the Green Road Soup Crock. Made from Cameroonian clay and fired in a wood-burning kiln, these unique soup crocks are rustic in appearance and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Celebration Toasting Goblets are made from natural onyx stone, so each carries its own unique grain pattern and design. These goblets are handmade by artisans in Pakistan, and add a sense of old-world grandeur to the table.

Set up a cozy and inviting Thanksgiving table with items that are always handmade and always fair trade from Ten Thousand Villages. Set tablecloths, placemats, and napkins to commemorate the special occasion. Light candles for twinkle and charm. Warmly and joyously gather in a feast.