I am loving this Rustic Chic Thanksgiving Table Decor by Svitlana Flom for Art De Fete using a red tartan plaid backdrop!

I rarely think of plaid for Thanksgiving, and never, ever think of red tartan, mostly because it reminds me of Christmas. However, by simply adding rustic, old world touches like heavy metal dishes, antlers, feathers, natural Fall leaves from outside, and warm floral tones in the centerpiece, it creates a really warm Thanksgiving feeling that I love. The crystal glassware and candlesticks really lighten the mood by adding texture and reflective glimmering facets.

I think what’s best about using this tartan plaid is that you you can easily transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas décor by simply changing the floral arrangement to something more wintery and including pine-cones, magnolia leaves, whole walnuts and berries, and twigs of pine needles {which prior to living in a forest, I would just snip off the back/bottom of my Christmas tree}. Adding a little shimmer in gold and silver is always festive for Christmas as well and will play off the plaid nicely. In the end, using a plaid tablecloth will save you time and money… and if red tartan plaid is a little too traditional for your style, green or navy variations would work just as well.

Notice how the muted brown napkins add to the Fall/Thanksgiving feel where a little touch of shimmer would send it to Christmas-town.

A great plaid print is not too difficult to locate… though some can look a little cheap. You can find a great redClassic Tartan Plaid Tablecloth in red/black/white {like the one seen here} to fit almost any table at Williams-Sonoma from $109.95 – $129.95 {which is a bit pricey, but nice quality} OR this similar plaid tablecloth {in 3 sizes} at Amazon for around $33-40 OR this Holiday Tartan Tablecloth from JCPenney, which is even more affordable, and still quite nice looking from $19-30. It includes greens and yellows woven throughout, which in many plaids can look a little too much like Christmas, but this one feels neutral enough to work for both holidays.

Though the one at JCP is relatively affordable, I’d still check my local fabric store for more plaid varieties and just have fabric cut to the desired table length to save a little more money and feel a little more unique. You can leave the edges raw or finish them with a fun trim like this Easy Tablecloth DIY I did a few years ago and still use today. Just find a matching black or navy to blend well with your plaid.

Sara Dal Monte