Since Thanksgiving is about spending quality time with loved ones, serve dishes family-style, allowing guests to interact and share a great deal more than the usual buffet does.

Chalk It Up Chalkboards add a lively decorative element to any get-together. They are not only inexpensive, but also could be used repeatedly for different holidays and family events. Set your creative abilities to work by composing "Happy Thanksgiving" on yours and displaying it near the spread to receive guests in the holiday spirit. Have family and friends pose by the chalkboard sign for a souvenir photograph op.

DIY Twig Table Runner Carry your Thanksgiving table into the next level by producing your own rustic (and almost free!) runner. Easy to craft -- and a perfect project for children to help with -- this runner adds to the table outdoorsy feel and can be rolled up and stored away for use every year.

Curried Butternut Squash Soup With Fried Sage Leaves No drop meal is complete with no piping-hot bowl of soup. A spiced-up version of this Thanksgiving favorite, this curried butternut squash soup is a warm and creamy addition to your meal. Serve in a large footed tureen and let guests serve themselves. Get the recipe

Go For a Layered Look Create a stunning place setting with bits which are rustic and autumnal yet still have a modern edge. Wooden chargers would be the ideal anchor for a slick white dinner plate and bowl while classic gold flatware adds glitz and organic linen napkins work anytime of the year. Remember that the dinner bowl and plate needn't be in the same set -- mixing and matching color and texture adds to the table's organic feel.

Golden Raisin and Cranberry Chutney Friends don't let friends function cranberry sauce from a can! For a home made take on Thanksgiving's signature condiment, serve this not-too-sweet version. Get the recipe

Craft Your Own Centerpiece No more Thanksgiving table is complete without a centerpiece. Create an arrangement that features autumn's richest colours and textures that incorporates new greenery from your own backyard. Rather than an over-the-top floral arrangement in a tall vase, maintain the arrangement low so guests can see each other and talk across the table.

Southwestern-Style Poblano Cornbread Stuffing Take everyone's favourite side dish up a notch by preparing this yummy twist on your typical stuffing. Poblano peppers and cornbread come together to make a Thanksgiving dish which can keep guests coming back for seconds -- and even thirds! Get the recipe

Easy-to-Craft Pomegranate Place Cards Maintain your dinner drama-free and prevent a game of musical chairs by setting out place cards for your guests. For a look that is both seasonal and sleek, make these gilded place-card holders by spraying pomegranates with metallic paint office wall partition systems . then inserting a handwritten area card at the crown. Inexpensive and homemade, they are the perfect means to produce your place setting feel extra special. Get step-by-step instructions

Personal Maple Sweet Potato Soufflés Sweet potatoes, maple syrup and toasted pecans unite for an indulgent treat that is sure to please even the pickiest palette. Prepared individually in ramekins they make for easy serving. Get the recipe

Golden Touches Set the scene by scattering gilded natural elements down the length of the runner. Collect unique leaves, pinecones, berries or whatever else character is offering, and give every a light coat of gold spray paint for some glitz.

Opt for Streamlined Glassware For a contemporary signature, set out fuss-free water eyeglasses and stemless wineglasses. Be sure to keep the wine flowing and possess a wholesome choice of white and red available, and put pitchers of water on the table to create refilling super simple.

Sage Roasted Turkey Using a Crunchy Maple Crust For the celebrity of the Thanksgiving meal, give guests a savory-meets-sweet principal course that they won't soon forget. Instead of serving a traditional turkey, mix things up by creating this drool-worthy bird. Get the recipe

Split the Bird Like a Guru Your first time carving a turkey can be a pressure-packed moment. To correctly do the task, you'll need a chef's knife or carving knife, a carving fork and a boning knife. First, divide the wings and legs from the body. Then to carve the breast, locate the breastbone and split down one side, then peeling away the breast from the bone as you go. Drink all bits on a huge platter for visitors to choose.

Craft Your Own Menu For your hostess that leaves no rock unturned, enlist the talents of a family member with artistic handwriting or, better still, calligraphy skills to make a stunning menu card. Screen at every place setting or move round the table to jump-start guests' appetites and get them excited for the main event.

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries and Pine Nuts Part of what makes the holidays so unique is the excess love and effort that goes into the menu. Dishes packed with color and taste are key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner -- and this take on Brussels sprouts is guaranteed to get your guests' attention. The healthy veggies have been shredded, sauted, tossed with cranberries and pine nuts, then topped with fresh orange zest for a dish that is bursting with bright flavors. Get the recipe

Break Out the Good China Thanksgiving is all about tradition, therefore incorporate a bit of your loved ones to the table by using heirloom china. If you enjoy the look but your inventory of vintage items is lacking, scour local antique stores and thrift shops to begin your own collection.

All in the Family Since Thanksgiving is about spending quality time with loved ones, serve dishes family-style, allowing guests to interact and share a great deal more than the usual buffet does. Simply set your big serving dishes out down the length of the table with serving utensils, and let guests pass them throughout the meal.

Share Why You Are Thankful Besides the turkey, Thanksgiving's other favorite tradition is moving around the table and sharing everything you are most grateful for. Think an organized or clever way for visitors to share (like down it), or take turns listening to each guest.

Save Room for Dessert If your appetites will still let it, set dessert out to the dining table with dessert plates and forks so guests can help themselves. Serve alongside coffee and piping-hot cider for the last stretch on your marathon.

Pumpkin Tiramisu Layer Cake This refreshing take on the Italian classic encompasses everything we love about Thanksgiving: the rich, sweet taste of coffee, brandy and chocolate combined with the seasonal taste of pumpkin. Top with a generous sprinkle of amaretti cookies for crunch prior to serving. Get the recipe