Thanksgiving Blessings and Themes for your Table

It is okay to step outside traditional fall decor for a bit of a different flair this holiday season! Let's start with a look at a tropical theme. Even within the "tropics" we have several choices. We can go wildly colorful or with more subdued earthtones, depending on how the rest of your room looks. Save money by purchasing one or two new pieces and using what you already have to tie in.

No reason to stress, but have a little fun and take a few minutes to think about your theme - it can help to foster great memories that make this year's gathering unique and special!


Cotton table runner and napkins, 'Tropical Palms' (set for 4)

And for the truly theme-based hostess, a wearable piece in the same pattern!

I especially like these wonderful elephants, because they are earthy enough that you can use some of your more traditional decorations if you wish without a huge clashing issue.

On the other hand, you could really play it up with a whole Safari theme. Pull out stuffed animals from the kids room, or have guests bring a stuffed animal for fun and conversation pieces.


Covered with floral motifs, four elephants march across a background of dark brown cotton. Fully lined, this table runner is designed by Thanyarat Sananpanich. The pachyderms come to life with the silkscreen technique and green edging adorns the applique border.

Spice it up a bit, if you wish, with this radiant Ceramic plate "Blue Chrysanthemum"

Let us give thanks for all God's goodness and the wonderful heritage into which we have entered:

For Jamaica, our island home, the land of our birth -

For the majesty of our hills, the beauty of our valleys, and the flaming loveliness of our gardens -

For the warmth and brightness of our days and the calm and peace of our countryside -

For the rich heritage of our people coming for many races, and yet one in purpose, in achievement, and in destiny, and for the dignity of labour and the service given by every citizen of our land -

For freedom, just laws and our democratic way of life -

For the high privilege and responsibility of Independence and for bringing us to nationhood -

For our parents, teachers, religious and other leaders and all those who in every walk of life are helping to prepare us for responsible citizenship, and for all those who are giving voluntary service in the public interest -

For the poets, artists and thinkers and all who create in us the vision of a new and better society -

For our godly heritage, the example of Jesus Christ and the sacrifices of our fathers in the faith -

Expressed through geometric motifs, this beautiful table runner depicts the ceiba, the national tree of Guatemala. "Its trunk is thick and very strong so it rarely falls. That's why it is our tree, because it inspires us to find the strength to move ahead with our work," artisans of Aj Quen explain. Woven by hand, it combines the backstrap loom with a floor loom, and utilizes falser as decorative threads that run horizontally across the underlying textile. Due to the weaving process, there is a curve of about one inch (2 cm) across one end, which attests to the work of artisan hands.

For some reason this runner makes me think of Chocolate. What might be fun is to do up some simple placecards with chocolates , both in white chocolate and dark or milk chocolate. Use sprinkles, or shavings, or kisses or squares from chocolate bars to dress up a little plate with the name written in brown crayon. A simple and fun new way to be festive!

This handblown centerpiece "Magnificence" is just georgeous and perfect Autumn table compliment!



A second Ceiba piece for the wall can really enhance your theme:


Wrought iron candleholder, 'Ceiba'

Working in wrought iron, Byron Toscano captures the beauty of the mighty ceiba tree. Leaves cover the branch, which is painted in a deep copper tone. Designed to hang on the wall, the candleholder holds a single candle.

Why not something in a bright and festive blue? Heck with tradition! Let's really brighten up the day!



Lacy petals bloom brightly on a garden of handloomed cotton. Combining red and white on blue, artisans from Thai Tribal Crafts create a delightful table runner in the style of Thailand's Lahu people. These hill tribe textiles are distinguished by patchwork applique, and in their weaving, the pattern appears only on one side of the cloth. This piece is a personal expression of the individual artisan, thus the color and motif may vary slightly from that pictured.

The magic of Champey Lagoon, with its natural bridge, inspire the patterns on this elegant cotton runner. They are achieved with jaspe tie-and-dye techniques over a cotton table runner. It is woven on a back strap loom by the talented women of Komon Utzil.

I really like this Axora Eggshell centerpiece with Lagoon Wonders for this theme:

This food is the gift of the whole universe - the earth, the sky, and much hard work.
May we live in a way that makes us worthy to receive it.
May we transform our unskillful states of mind, especially our greed.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
We accept this food so that we may realise the path of practice.

Rustic textures in blue cotton host bands of floral embroidery. Working in traditional Hmong needlecraft techniques, Jing creates the motifs with a fine cross stitch. Rain tree wood beads form a delightful fringe on either end.

Try 'Phoenix Rises over Pink' terracotta centerpiece with your Eastern Blue!

In the time it takes to read this, you have spent a precious minute with me. I thank you.

For the gifts you bring to the table (and we all bring something whether we know it our not) I thank you.

For the times you gave and no one noticed, I thank you.

For the extra helping you did not take, so ones you love could have more, I thank you.

For the love you give others, whomever they may be, without expecting anything in return, I thank you.

For the ripple effect your kind gestures have bestowed on me, I thank you.

For the patience you show when it is not so easy, for the tongue you hold when it begs to be said, I thank you.

For remembering with fondness a loving memory of one no longer with you, I thank you for keeping them alive.

For prudence when you wanted to be bold, and knowing you shine anyway, I thank you.

For the example you set for the one who has always looked up to you, I thank you.

For being silly and funny and adding laughter to life, I thank you.

For the goodness you spread to make my path lighter, I thank you.

For all the gifts you have ever given (yes, even the fruitcake) I thank you.

Most of all, for being you, I thank you.

May God bless you and keep you safe, happy and warm this Thanksgiving and every day forward.

Bright colors and entertaining images recall the endearing artistry of childhood. Rosa Maria Larrabure paints a different scene on each handcrafted placemat and coaster, which renders this set spectacularly unique.

The possiblities are endless! You know that folder full of your child or grandchild's artwork that you just can't throw away? Get crackin! Laminate, posterate, hand create - you got it, use it!

Crescent moons glow magical and colorful on an emerald green table runner. Designers Suli and Tari embroider the lunar motifs by hand on this captivating cotton table runner.

Goes really nicely with "Autumn Leaf" art glass centerpiece for your Thanksgiving Table!

Wool table runner, 'Earth Legends'

Like a mysterious scroll of ancient scriptures, this table runner holds images of Inca iconography. Rendered in warm hues of dark and light brown, Cerapio Vallejo's table runner honors the "strong earth" lakka in the Aymara dialect. An inspired piece that bears witness to Peru's longstanding weaving tradition.

This really interesting zigzag basket would be a great compliment to your Earth Legends table

Colorful constellations reveal a mystical code to summon the artistry of India's textile legacy. Presented by UMBVS Desert Weavers of India, the runner is woven of cotton on a traditional loom featuring orange, indigo, green and red constellations over a black background.

I love this handblown Murano centerpiece 'Red Fire' to compliment Colorful Constellations



These colors are also appropriate for Christmas, so the theme could easily carryover into both holidays!