Every year, people wonder how to make their Thanksgiving table special without overpaying. If you are tired of looking through catalogs for Thanksgiving table ideas, consider taking a short drive to Canton, Texas. Canton First Monday Trade Days is a very large outdoor flea market where you can find unique and one-of-a-kind treasures to make your Thanksgiving table special and unique.
Here is what you should add to your table that will get your guests talking for months to come.
Why Canton First Monday Trade Days Is the Best Place to Shop Thanksgiving Table Decor
Happening the weekend before the first Monday of every month, Canton's First Monday Trade Days covers hundreds of acres with thousands of vendors. Shopping here for Thanksgiving decor means skipping the plain, pre-packaged decor and gathering interesting and unique finds instead.
For the best selection, go the last weekend before Thanksgiving. Arrive as early as possible if you're looking for handmade or antique items. Those usually sell first.
Thanksgiving Table Decor to Hunt For
Focus on the foundation first. Look for big pieces that help set the tone for the entire table before thinking about small details like candles and pumpkins.
Linens, Runners, and Napkins
The Canton fair has many vendors with hand-dyed table runners, embroidered linens and napkins in burlap and linen in seasonal shades. Look for rusts, olives, mustards and creams. Vintage tablecloths are inexpensive, under twenty dollars, and add instant heirloom appeal to your table.
Dinnerware and Serving Pieces
Vintage stoneware and enamelware serve as sturdy, colorful and more eco-friendly alternatives to ceramic dishes. You can find great deals on wooden serving boards, trays, and large serving pieces at thrift booths. Try incorporating different patterns on your table in ways that bring out your holiday theme.
Amazing First Monday Trade Days vendors you can shop from ->
Rustic Thanksgiving Table Decor You'll Only Find at the Trade Days
Make the most of the Canton Flea Market with farmhouse style this Thanksgiving! There is an abundance of items there that can really add a lot to your tablescape. Some of the things you can find there include:
- Reclaimed wood that can be used as a riser to add height to your tablescape
- Unique soy candles in scents like cinnamon, pumpkin and cedar that can be put on display or lit
- Vintage mason jars and cast iron trivets
- Wrought iron candle holders and lanterns
- Handmade wood place card holders
These pieces are easily transitioned into everyday home decor after Thanksgiving and into Christmas decor.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas Worth Bringing Home
Canton offers plenty of Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas. Here’s what you can shop for:
The Harvest Basket
You can’t beat the look of vintage wire baskets (preferably handwoven bread baskets) filled with mini pumpkins, gourds, and other fall harvest items like dried wheat and pinecones. It's simple, relatively inexpensive, and unmistakably fall.
The Candle Cluster
Organize 3 to 5 pillar candles of various heights on a reclaimed wood board. Add greenery like eucalyptus, magnolia leaves or dried cotton stems. Many dried flower vendors sell pre-made bundles of dried florals that last beyond the holidays.
The Statement Piece
A large antique crock, a galvanized tub, or a carved wooden bowl filled with seasonal produce becomes a conversation starter. Look for one with visible age and patina.
Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas: Putting Your Finds Together from the Canton First Monday Trade Days
- Begin with the base layer. Start with a vintage tablecloth or a hand-dyed linen runner from Canton, and build upon that.
- Layer textures. For a Thanksgiving table, layer textures with woven chargers and napkins over a wood or linen table runner.
- Mix old and new. For the Thanksgiving table, mix old and new. Use a collected, yet pulled together look with a grouping of mismatched vintage dishes and a few of new matching dishes.
- Keep it moving. Use risers made from reclaimed wood to hold up tall tapers and low candles.
- Stick with a few. Choose a pallet of three or four colors and pull them throughout the table with linens, candles, and flowers.
- Keep it simple. Use one centerpiece for Thanksgiving, and let it pull together the harvest or crock with candles.
- Use your resources. Use handmade wooden place card holders or name tags.
- Keep the centerpiece low to allow for dishes to be placed on the table for serving.
Combine your Thanksgiving shopping with other Canton events ->
FAQs
What is the best time to go to Canton First Monday Trade Days for Thanksgiving shopping?
The best time to go is to the market right before Thanksgiving. Remember, it is held the weekend before the first Monday of the month, so you'll want to double check the exact dates. If you want to have the best selection you'll want to go shopping on Friday and Saturday.
What are some ideas for a Thanksgiving table on a budget?
You can find great Thanksgiving table elements with vintage linens, mason jars, and dried floral arrangements. Canton Trade Days is a great place for unique finds.
Can I find rustic Thanksgiving table decorations at Canton First Monday Trade Days?
You can definitely find plenty of rustic and farmhouse finds at Canton because there is a lot of reclaimed wood, cast iron and enamelware.
What types of Thanksgiving centerpieces should I look for if I have a narrow space?
Maybe look for candles and greenery to make a low centerpiece. A narrow centerpiece with greenery could leave space for turkey and side dishes.
Make This Thanksgiving Table One of a Kind
Your Thanksgiving table isn't about how much you spend. It's about what you spend it on. A weekend at Canton's First Monday Trade Days can have you making memories with a table your family will remember. You can gather one-of-a-kind pieces full of creative charm and character. And take a wagon to transport your bounty. Come take a stroll, and enjoy the show.