Pretty Holiday Table Decor Ideas from the 1950s and 1970s

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These pretty holiday table decor ideas from the 1950s and 1970s will give your Thanksgiving table an extra charming and inviting look. Whether you’re hosting a small family gathering, celebrating with that special someone or making the most of Friendsgiving with your roommates, these vintage table decor ideas will add to the holiday decorating fun.

The holidays don’t really look the same this year because of the pandemic. Since we’re spending more time in our homes, why not dress it up for the holidays even more than usual? Easy holiday table decor is just the thing to brighten the mood.

Recently, I was looking through my vintage cookbooks and was inspired by the table decor ideas. Many vintage cookbooks include tips for hostesses on how to plan for dinner parties and decorate. I decided to try a few of the table decor ideas and see which I like best before Guapo and I host Thanksgiving.

These are all easy and affordable table decor and centerpiece ideas. We’re trying to save money more than ever now, and that includes learning how to stretch groceries and save on holiday decor.

Pretty holiday table decor ideas

I found these Thanksgiving table decor and centerpiece ideas in the books Thoughts for Buffets (1958) and Recipes for Entertaining from Better Homes and Gardens (1972) and decided to recreate three of my favorites. If you try any of these holiday table setting ideas, I’d love for you share it and tag me on Instagram @thedapperdahlia. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving, no matter how you choose to celebrate!

Apples & paper doilies table decor

One vintage table decor suggestion is to place shiny red apples on silver paper doilies. I’m much more of a gold person, so I picked up some extra red apples from the grocery store and put a few of the prettiest pieces of fruit on small plates with gold paper doilies underneath. I also used some white and gold table accents from Hester & Cook.

Fall leaves centerpiece

For an affordable fall centerpiece, use leaves from your yard as the base for seasonal squash and vegetables. Use tomatoes with stems and peppers as colorful accents. Then save them to eat later!

Fresh fruit table centerpiece

Have an extra wicker basket laying around the house? Fill it with an assortment of fresh fruit for an affordable—and edible—Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Floating flowers table decor

Vases of floral arrangements are gorgeous but if they’re too tall, they can obstruct the view of the person across the table. They also risk getting knocked over when people are passing the gravy boat or bread basket. Try this instead: fill a clear glass bowl with water and add three or four flowers, like camellias, or floating candles.

Accent the side dishes

Another retro table decor idea is to use flowers, like carnations, to complement a fruit gelatin mold. For a modern interpretation, use a few deep red flowers to accent the cranberry sauce.

Candle table decor

Nothing says cozy like lighting candles! Use a holiday-themed trivet (I have pumpkin-shaped trivets) as a base for a candle. Or build your own floral arrangement with a candle in the center.

Creative floral arrangement ideas

One retro suggestion is to use odds and ends of glassware instead of vases. Use a large champagne glass to hold a single floating flower (I would stick with stemless glasses to avoid spills), or a decorative casserole dish for a flower arrangement.

Be inspired by Mother Nature

Make a fall centerpiece with dried flowers and corn, or place some cute ceramic forest animals on a bed of real or faux leaves.

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Holiday table centerpiece tips

According to Recipes for Entertaining from Better Homes and Gardens (1972), there are a few rules to follow when creating and placing centerpieces. Most importantly, a holiday centerpiece should be beautiful without cluttering the table. Keep these tips in mind while decorating your table:

“Make sure the centerpiece won’t interfere with the view of the person across the table.
When candles are used, be sure that the flame is either above or below eye level.
At formal dinners, always place the centerpiece of flowers and candles in the center of the table. Other times, place the centerpiece on the table wherever it looks best.”

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