How I’m Setting My Friendsgiving Table (All From Amazon, Under $150)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through a link here, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I’m hosting Friendsgiving this year, and I’ll be honest: the table was the part I was nervous about. The food I can figure out. But I wanted the table to feel warm and pulled together without spending a fortune on dishes I’d use once a year or ironing a tablecloth at midnight.

So I kept it simple. Seven pieces, all from Amazon, all in the same warm palette of terracotta, rust, amber and cream. Together they come in under $150, and almost all of it works again next fall.

What’s on my Friendsgiving table

1. A terracotta cheesecloth runner

This is the piece that does the most work. It’s long and loose, so you can let it puddle at the ends or bunch it down the middle, and nobody expects cheesecloth to be wrinkle-free. That means no ironing.

2. Rust cloth napkins

Cloth napkins are the easiest way to make a table feel like you tried. These are cotton, they wash well, and rust is the color that ties everything else together. Twelve in a set covers a good-sized group.

3. Scalloped plates you can toss

Here’s my secret: these plates are disposable. The scalloped edge and the gold flatware look a lot nicer than they have any right to, and nobody is stuck at the sink while everyone else is having pie. The set comes with plates and gold silverware.

4. Amber glass votive holders

Amber glass gives off that soft, golden glow that makes everyone look good in photos. These are fluted and a little vintage-looking, and I’ll use them all winter.

5. Flameless tealights

I put these inside the amber holders instead of real candles. With cheesecloth, cloth napkins and people reaching across the table for the rolls, I’d rather not worry about an open flame. They flicker, they’re warm white, and a 24-pack means you can scatter extras down the table.

6. Mini pumpkins and harvest filler

A bag of faux mini pumpkins, pinecones, acorns and leaves fills in the gaps down the center of the runner. It’s what makes the table look full instead of sparse, and it all goes back in a box for next year.

7. Dried orange slices

This is the small touch people notice. Tuck a few slices between the pumpkins, or tie one onto each napkin with the twine they come with. It feels handmade without any actual crafting.

How I put it all together

1. Runner first. Lay it down the center and let it hang long off both ends.
2. Set the places. An ivory plate at each seat, gold flatware beside it, and a rust napkin folded on top or tucked under the fork.
3. Build the centerpiece. Group the pumpkins, pinecones and leaves in small clusters down the runner instead of one big pile, so people can still see each other.
4. Add the glow. Set the amber votives (with a tealight in each) between the clusters, and scatter a few extra tealights on their own.
5. Finish with orange. Tuck in the dried orange slices last, or tie one on each napkin.

A few hosting tips

• Set the table the night before. It’s one less thing on the day, and it makes the house feel ready.
• Leave room for the food. If you’re serving family-style, keep the centerpiece low and narrow.
• Order early. Shipping slows down the week of Thanksgiving, so I’d get everything in hand at least a week out.

Prices on Amazon change often, so double-check before you buy. And if you’re hosting Friendsgiving this year too, I’d love to hear what you’re making.