I first moved abroad in 2013, and one of the hardest things to get used to was missing Thanksgiving. Growing up, it was always my favorite holiday—full of food, family, and togetherness that ended as the official kick-off to Christmas. 

Now, with almost ten years of hosting Thanksgiving under my belt, there are some essentials I always rely on for a successful holiday. Below, I've rounded up my favorite decor that's worth shopping for.

H&M Wool-Blend Throw

Our holiday itinerary tends to involve a lot of delicious meals, a few big walks around the city, and a ton of time snuggled up together. I always make sure we have plenty of throw blankets on hand, and I'm not afraid to stock up in advance if needed. 

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World Market Die Cut Maple Leaf Placemat

One of my favorite things about hosting festive meals is going all out with the table decor. My family doesn't use placements on a daily basis, so this is a fun and easy way to make our table feel extra special. I especially love this pick that’s both neutral and on-theme.

H&M Napkins (Set of 2)

If you’re planning on hosting guests, you should also bring out your best linen napkins. I find green is my Thanksgiving staple color because I can reuse it for Christmas. This color pick makes the season feel cohesive, plus it cuts down on needless extras if you can make the most of certain items across holidays.

Rifle Paper Co. Tea Towel

Along with our table, I like to scatter a few other festive touches around our kitchen. It’s not the biggest space and I don’t like to add anything to our counters, so additional linens are a great option. I am currently loving the pattern and color palette of this harvest-themed pick.

Kate Aspen Fall Decor Mini Gold Pumpkin Place Card Holder (Set of 6)

A few years ago, I learned that my kids love making place cards for a formal dinner table. It’s become a definite tradition now, and there’s nothing cuter than seeing little kid handwriting on elevated place cards. 

Spritz Thanksgiving Give Thanks Paper Napkins

While I always set the dinner table with linen napkins, I prefer to stock the bar cart with cute, themed paper napkins. These are also great for a fresh set during the dessert course.

C&F Home Green Ribbon Napkin Ring (Set of 4)

Napkins rings are another thing that aren’t used every day and definitely aren’t a necessity—but that’s exactly what makes them feel extra festive. I love this green bow set that feels particularly on-trend this year. Plus, they're another item I can definitely imagine using and reusing all season long. 

Anthropologie Javi Coupe Glasses (Set of 4)

A few years ago, I switched from champagne flutes to coups, and there is officially no going back. I love how dainty and delicate they feel, and they make the whole pre-dinner experience just a little bit fancier.

Barr-Co. Hand Duo Set

While I definitely place a ton of emphasis on a beautiful holiday table and living room, I also know the bathroom is another spot our guests will need. I think a pretty hand wash and lotion set is the perfect way to upgrade the space.

Anthropologie Holiday Icon Embroidered Cotton Hand Towel

A pretty and on-theme hand towel is another great touch to make your bathroom feel festive. It’s an easy and understated way to decorate a small and unexpected space. 

W&P Freezer Cubes

Because we're hosting out-of-towners, we tend to find ourselves with a decent amount of leftovers at the end of the night. While we definitely work through them in the days following Thanksgiving, we also learned quickly that it was best to freeze anything we could, so stocking up on food storage items is a definite must. 

W&P Ice Box

Keeping an ice cube tray and storage box on hand that you prep and fill in the days leading up to your big event is a great way to get ahead of the game. Whether you’re serving drinks on ice or just need to keep your champagne bucket cool, you can never have too many cubes prepped and ready.

Anthropologie Fluted Taper Candles (Set of 4)

Candles always play a huge part in my holiday tablescape, and I love using taper candles for height. While I’ve done more neutral colors, like ivory or gold, last year I went with these green fluted tapers and I realized it’s a great way to add some more color and depth to the whole design.

World Market Large White And Gold Woodland Scene Crackers (Set of 6)

If you’ve ever visited the United Kingdom during the holidays, then you know that most events from November through January call for crackers on the table. I love spotting them in the United States, too, and we never host a meal here without them this time of year. 

Anthropologie Beau Wood Serve Set

For the most part, we have all the serverware we need, so it’s not something I usually grab. But every once in a while, I like to add something new to our collection to make our table feel fresh. This year, my eyes are on this adorable wooden set. 

McGee & Co. Vintage Peony & Stamp Wrapping Paper (Set of 2)

Most years, our Thanksgiving celebrations involve some general holiday and birthday catch-ups from the last time we saw each other. This means we tend to do a fair amount of gift-swapping whenever we're together, and I always try to have everything wrapped and looking festive. I absolutely adore this set from McGee & Co.