Whether your style is traditional or modern, your guests young or old, one of our dramatic tables is sure to be a hit.

Just like the scenery in a well-staged play, the components of a well-set table create a mood. Carefully considered details reinforce that feeling, and when everything is in its proper place, everyone is drawn in. With imaginative crafts and inspired tabletop ideas, however, setting a festive Thanksgiving table needn't be a production. First, consider your audience (children, say, need extra attention). Choose props, from centerpieces to napkin folds, that are in keeping with your style, the room, and the menu. Then on Thanksgiving, have everyone take their places. After not so much ado, it's curtain time.

A Whimsical Table
This table in fall hues (above) -- orange fringed paper napkins, golden drinks, and Bakelite utensils -- will hold kids' interest, with style (but adults, too, might like a centerpiece of chocolate turkeys). Draw turkeys on a fringed paper tablecloth for coloring between courses; brown-paper goody bags tied with beaded-leather cord hold the crayons.

Tabletop Turkey Template
Print out our turkey template at desired size (or enlarge on a photocopier) so image will provide an outline for dinner plate. Cut out turkey to create a template. Using a black marker, trace it on paper tablecloth at each place setting. To keep marker from staining the tabletop, place a large piece of paper under the tablecloth before tracing.