10 Table Decorating Ideas a/k/a Thanksgiving in May

Today I had the honor of participating in the annual Teacher Appreciation Lunch at my children’s elementary school.

It’s an elaborate affair, each year with a theme that drives the menu creation and decor. For the last nine years, local chef and indefatigable parent volunteer Melissa Elsmo has chaired been the driving force behind this effort.

Her committee is stuff of PTO legend – menu tasting “meetings” and cooking and craft events that last well into the wee hours of the morning [my last email from Thursday’s cooking night came at 2:30 a.m. Friday].

This was Melissa’s last year chairing the committee. Her youngest child is moving up to middle school. And with him goes her volunteer time and talents.

As a way to celebrate her last year, Melissa the committee picked Thanksgiving as this year’s lunch theme. I’ll blog more in another post about the details: personal notes of thanks for each and every teacher, aide, staffer and after-school-program leader; and a full course sit-down meal served on well-appointed tables (Did I mention Melissa oversaw the slaughtering of fresh turkeys for the occasion?).

The tables just blew me away. To be sure we accommodated anyone associated with the school, teams dressed 10 tables with eight settings (plus a table for four in the office for the folks who never get to really sit and enjoy the lunch).

My team dressed two (plus the 4-person table) and I was delighted with how they turned out. But some of the time and attention to detail these moms put into their tables was truly impressive.

Here’s all 10 (plus detail shots). Click on images to see larger versions:


Blue Elegance

 

Cornucopia of Spring (decorated by me, Mel and Jen)

 

I am in short supply of formal soup bowls, so we served the pumpkin soup in my grandmother’s custard cups, appointed with ribbon.

 

Picture Perfect

This was my favorite table overall. It was just beautifully appointed and touching because of the black and white photos of the teachers in family frames.

Pretty in Pink

The flowers and the ribbon runner really gave this table a wow factor.

Ready. Set. Eat

The black and white, checker flag dishware was striking on its own, but the floral arrangement, especially the splash of sunflower made this table look, well, cool and hip.

Simple Rose

Traditional Thanksgiving (with modern clear glass elegance.)

Fiesta of Polka Dots

Modern Family (another one by Mel, Jen and me)

The details here are worth noting. Jen made these individual pumpkins and these really sweet leaves printed with words of thanks.

These tables were our way of communicating to the teachers, and others who nurture and guide our children, that we consider them a part of our families.

Plus, it was a fun way to dress up the gym.