Autumn Equinox! It’s Harvest time! This is the true seasonally-sensitive time to celebrate and give thanks for the bounty of the season (by late November the harvest is well over). On a personal level, it is a magical time to celebrate your own accomplishments large and small. A wonderful symbol of this time of year is the amazing apple, harvesting of which is currently in full force. With these inspirations in mind, I have created this Autumn Equinox table setting.
Below are the details of my selections:
Tablecloth:
I chose a Rose Tree Royal Linen Tablecloth from Amazon. It is a lovely bright apple hue, and it though it has a simulated linen look, it is actually made from a poly/rayon blend making it imminently affordable!
Placemats:
I have had these placemats for many years, but they are widely available and reasonably priced on ebay. The fabric (poly) pattern is called “Sonoma”, and an ebay search for “fruit place mats sonoma” should yield multiple buying options.
Dishware:
This lovely fall dishware hailed from Pier 1 imports. The dinner and salad plates are both from the Spice Route Collection in “clove” and “ginger” respectively. The salad “leaf dip bowls” are 5.91″W x 5.59″D x 2.4″H and available in assorted colors, which I chose to vary across the setting to resemble a lovely mix of autumn foliage. In this same spirit, I chose square rather then round plates that I angled in varying asymmetrical patterns to further the impression of gently fallen leaves.
Glassware:
Water glasses were purchased in a set at T.J. Maxx.
Petite European crystal wine glasses look lovely and allow small pours. (I used them for toasting glasses.) These were purchased on ebay.
The wine stemware are a Lenox product and are called “Tuscany Harvest Balloon Glasses” available in sets of four through O.co. I am not sure if the pictures do these glasses justice, but they are truly stunning and added an incredibly lovely and regal quality to the tone of the table setting as is fitting for a harvest celebration.
When considering a purchase, it may be helpful to note that many of these tend to be the same glasses I use every holiday, so they get plenty of use.
Centerpiece:
Centrally located: A cornucopia-shaped basket sits, filled and overflowing with red apples, green apples, and pears. I have had my basket for many years, but to purchase one, my first recommendation would be to search ebay for “cornucopia basket“. At the time of this writing, there are many new or gently used and quite affordable purchasing options available there. Otherwise, local craft shops may be a good starting point. Filling with fresh fruit is a wonderful idea and something I have done very happily in the past. Because I was setting my table well in advance, however, I purchased wonderfully realistic looking faux fruit from Pier 1 imports: red apples, green apples, and green pears.
On each side: Two red palm wax tapers (purchased online at Aloha Bay) sit within off-white holders purchased at Linens & Things with additional fruit scattered around their bases. Each candle is also surrounded at its base by a small harvest-themed candle ring. Mine were purchased at a local JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store. (Note: beeswax, soy, or palm wax candles are preferable to paraffin as they do not release toxic compounds into your environment.)
Nestled in and around the basket rest two harvest swags purchased from the floral department of Michaels.
Napkins:
Matching the tablecloth, Rose Tree Royal Linen Napkins purchased at Amazon in sets of six are nestled within Multi-bead Loop Napkin Rings available at Pier 1 imports. To complete the ensemble, apple-shaped barley sugar lollipops made by family-owned and operated Melville Candy Co. and honey stix accompany the napkins to contribute to the tone of apples, harvest, playfulness, and celebration.
Other Embellishments:
Candy
I love to sprinkle candy on a place setting (especially when I can enhance the theme of the celebration with the colors and flavors of the season)! I think it adds a special, very-inviting touch of magic and playfulness!
On this table setting, each salad plate was adorned with the following:
- A chocolate butterfly wrapped in harvest-toned foil
- A handful of espresso beans dipped in multi colored/flavored chocolate
- A maple drop nestled in a sugar acorn box
- A maple-leaf shaped maple sugar candy confection (Note: guests scoured the table for any uneaten of these! They are a true pleaser!)
Scattered Leaves
The table is embellished with scattered fabric fall leaves to further enhance the seasonal connection. A wonderful idea if you are not creating your table setting well in advance would be to collect some local leaves and use actual rather than artificial!
Place Cards
In past table arrangements, I have created very ornate place cards. Somehow for this theme, however, a more naturalistic and “breezy” place card felt more appropriate as the whole table is somewhat “windswept”. Accordingly, apple-red, handwritten guest names sit on embellished place cards specifically combining the following elements:
- Ivory embossed “Celebrate It Occasions” Place Cards distributed by Michaels Stores, Inc.
- Studio 112 “Flowers Assorted Dots” Die Cut Stickers Code 30-596412
- Harvest-hued dimensional leaf stickers from Jolee’s Boutique “Autumn” Collection SPJB026
Autumn Equinox Party Crackers
No table setting is complete without these! I cannot even convey how much these favors are enjoyed! Click for detailed instructions on Autumn Equinox Party Cracker-making.
Caramel Apples
The apple, autumn harvest-themed table setting is topped off with edible favors consisting of the seasonal favorite: caramel apples! I purchased mine from a local farm stand. They would also be a very memorable homemade gift if you feel so inclined! (As a side note, a lovely personal touch is to inquire of your guests whether or not they enjoy the nut topping in advance and then have the selection of their choice lovingly placed at their seat.)
Happy Harvest!! Enjoy!! :)
