If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this week, chances are by now you’ve finalized the menu and perhaps even started prepping some of the dishes. Between the turkey roasting, potato mashing and pie making, you might not have much time to dedicate to table settings. But don’t neglect the tabletop – it’ll be one of the first things your guests notice when they sit down for dinner.

If you’ve had your nose nestled too deep in recipes to think about decorating your Thanksgiving table, fear not. We’ve compiled a little list to help you assemble a beautiful table setting before the first guest hits the doorbell:

• Table linens: Thanksgiving dinner means food galore – on plates, in tummies and…all over your table. Intercept the mess and add some color to the dinner table with Serena & Lily’s Marbella Tablecloth or Williams-Sonoma’s festive St. Nick Jacquard Tablecloth.
• Dinnerware, silverware and glassware, oh my! Even if you don’t have time to fully decorate your table, some artful dining pieces can create a polished, festive feel. CB2 is offering a 20% entertaining sale (ending today, so don’t wait!), so you can stock up on pieces like these fun Crackle Flutes and sleek Square Platters without breaking the bank. Anthropologie’s Gold-Dipped Flatware would go beautifully with these Confetti Paper Placemats (bonus: the disposable placemats will save you precious time during post-dinner clean-up).
• Centerpiece: Some people prefer to let the turkey be the star of the show, so if this is your strategy, serve the turkey on a nice platter, like this Sorrento Platter or aptly-named Beast’s Feast Platter. If you’re looking for a non-food-related centerpiece, consider something simple like nice candles or a fall-themed floral arrangement. I like these Twig Candleholders from Country Door, and this beautiful Surroyal Pitcher could easily be repurposed as an impromptu flower-holder.
• Place cards: If you plan to separate certain family members from each other – or perhaps play matchmaker for some friends – assign each of your guests a seat with these White Wash Chalkboard Place Card Holders. These L’Objet Pinecone Place Card Holders would also be a lovely addition to any table.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Shopilly team!

Photo credits: cb2.com, williams-sonoma.com, anthropologie.com