How to Create I Miss Mom Thanksgiving Tablescape

I would love to be able to pretend everything is okay over the holidays, but it’s just not possible, especially as a menopausal emotional redhead. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and of course my sweet family will understand. I’m still grieving over my mother’s death, rightfully so, and each day brings tears. Sometimes, it gets so painful I just want to curl up and get into bed. However, at other times, all I want to do is make my mom proud, and show her how much I love her. I know she’s close by, and I’m thinking she may have planted the pumpkin seed for this “I Miss Mom Thanksgiving Tablescape”. Let’s get to the story, and sources, so you’ll see what I mean…

TIP: PLEASE JOIN THE AMAZING THRIFTY STYLE TEAM AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR OUR FULL THRIFTY THANKSGIVING EDITION WHICH IS JAM PACKED WITH THANKSGIVING HOME DECORATING AND A FEW RECIPES TO TRY.

Why is there a Scarf on the Thanksgiving Table?

There I was with my mom & dad sledding in the 70’s at a place called Beaver Island State Park in my home town of Grand Island, New York. I remember my brother (also deceased) taking the photo. My Mom wasn’t a huge crafter or anything like that, but once in a while she would dip her hand into something she never tried. She was very proud of knitting this one and only scarf she wore that day, and I don’t blame her. I inherited the creamy ribbed scarf many years ago, but it sat buried in our snow clothes, and I don’t think I’ve ever wore it.

Well, while we were cleaning everything out for our big move, I came across the scarf and had to decide if I wanted to keep it. This was before my mom had passed, and I was crazy busy with purging many things I normally would keep. Luckily, I kept the scarf 🙌🏻 and recently washed it after we had settled. Of course now after she has passed it has become a work of art, so I treated it with the respect it deserved. When I took it out of the dryer it was so fluffy, and beautiful it struck me then to use it this holiday season in my decorating. Boom…the “I Miss Mom Table” was born.

Think Outside the Box When Decorating in Memory of a Loved One

Many of us have lost our mom, including my sweet husband. We both now walk together down the “other side” of that hill, and I can honestly say I didn’t know how unprepared I was. I mean, how do you prepare for the loss of a parent? I thought I said everything, I thought I shared everything I could, I thought I knew everything I wanted to know. I was so wrong. So, what do I do to ease those frustrations? For me, keeping busy with my husband, our children, and my work helps tremendously. That’s where you come in my friends, so thank you.

Decorating this table with my mom’s scarf felt so incredibly therapeutic. It was like she was with me every step of the way, sometimes telling me, “No, Julie that looks silly, move that apple over”. All kidding aside…when you’re thinking about decorating a Thanksgiving table, Christmas tree, or whatever it might be, think about adding your missed loved one’s memory to the decor. It doesn’t have to be a scarf, it can be a photo, a letter, a piece of jewelry, or even a piece of clothing. Think outside the box when decorating in memory of a loved one, forget trends, and I promise you it will turn out beautiful.

Because of the timing of our move in early September, and the approaching holidays, you are going to get your first look at our dining/living area in our new temporary apartment with it dressed for Thanksgiving 😊. I’ll focus on the Thanksgiving table, but will also share a few updates we have done to the apartment since moving in approximately 2 months ago.

Welcome to our cozy (and even a little moody) 4 person family Thanksgiving table…

How to Create I Miss Mom Thanksgiving Tablescape

We realized that our quite large, and old dining room table that we had down in our basement living area at the house, looked great with our new modern chairs. The table fit like a glove in-between our apartment kitchen bar and the living area (you’ll see the kitchen and entire apartment soon in our Christmas Holiday Housewalk 12/1/22). We absolutely love the cozy vibe we have going on in here. It’s smaller, but there’s just the 2 of us so we are like 2 pigs in a blanket.

After you get your table cleaned off and ready to set, you can create a runner with any roll of paper. I use paint paper which is extremely inexpensive for a huge roll. It also doubles as wrapping paper 😊. I didn’t even tape the paper down this time, I just cut it extra long and hung it over the edge. It seemed happy and looked pretty, so I just left it that way. I should also note that if you have wrapping paper that doesn’t match, just turn it over, fold it to the desired size, and use the white side.

When you have your runner, running 😆, it’s time to set the mood with your candles. I’m addicted to battery operated remote controlled candles. I love how you can leave the tapered candles unattended while you have a cocktail, or heck even leave the house. The candles I found flicker, so they look authentic and really give off that cozy vibe. I scattered mine without measuring or worrying about them being perfectly lined up.

The next layer is my favorite dollar store leaf garland, and then my mom’s precious scarf. It took a little practice, but I curled the scarf up with my hands like a coiled ribbon and then tried to recreate the twirls on the table. After that came of course the photo of my mom with her sweet scarf on (and a couple more photos), and fresh apples we just picked last month (I love using fresh food in tablescapes).

To finish off the decorations and add more natural elements, I tucked in real dried pampas grass & dried wheat. It was actually quite pleasurable placing the grass in where things were bare 😀. I totally recommend trying it (it even smelled good).

By the way…the white plates are from the dollar store (many years ago), and the tapered candle holders are from the thrift store.

Finishing Touches for Your I Miss Mom Thanksgiving Table

You’re not going to believe this one. There I was at the thrift store with my son and this pillow said, “Hey there, Pumpkin!” I grabbed that little lumbar guy so fast he didn’t even get a response. Don’t worry, I sprayed him with Lysol and put him in the dryer on HOT. I’m going to wash him as well.

After spotting that cute lumbar pillow, I ran into these vintage amber glass dessert cups. There were only 3, but they hitched a ride back with me, too. Since I only had 3 to go with the 4 red wine goblets, I used a red glass I had as a substitute and plan on telling who ever sits there that they win an extra turkey leg 😆. I mean I don’t want them to feel left out!

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PAPER RUNNER

MY FAVORITE 👉🏻 REMOTE CONTROLLED BATTERY OPERATED LIFELIKE FLICKERING TAPERED CANDLES (LIFE CHANGING)

CANDLE STICK HOLDERS: THRIFT STORE

LEAF GARLAND: DOLLAR STORE

REAL DRIED PAMPAS GRASS & WHEAT

RATTAN CHARGERS

WHITE PLATES: DOLLAR STORE

AMBER DESSERT GLASSES: THRIFT STORE

ORANGE METALLIC LEAF ACCENT BOWLS: DOLLAR STORE

RED WINE GOBLETS: HOMEGOODS $5 each (THIS YEAR!)

$99 HANGING MODERN FARMHOUSE CHANDELIER

SHEER BLACK CURTAIN PANELS

CURTAIN ROD

I hope you have a little more time because here’s the remaining projects from the Thrifty Style Team this month…check out those gorgeous Thanksgiving table ideas and unique recipes ❤️

Redhead Can Decorate –How to Create I Miss Mom Tablescape

Our Crafty Mom –Thanksgiving Hostess Gift Idea

I Should Be Mopping the Floor –Thanksgiving Floral Centerpiece

The How to Home-Fresh Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoess

DIY Beautify –Pleated DIY Paper Table Runner for Thanksgiving

2 Bees in a Pod –Olive Thanksgiving Tablescape

The Tattered Pew –Free Thanksgiving Place Cards

Cottage on Bunker Hill –Make Ahead Holiday Breakfast Baked Goods

Amy Sadler Designs –Heirloom Pumpkin Kitchen Dish Towel

Simple Nature Decor –Pine Cone Napkin Ring for Rustic Thanksgiving Tablescape

Zucchini Sisters – Thanksgiving Door Hanger Dollar Tree DIY

Sonya Burgess – Styling a Simple Thrifted Thanksgiving Table

Stuffed Celery Recipe

Where I Bought Ruby Red Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments

Holiday Housewalk Tour

Holiday Housewalk Tour