INSIDE: Ideas for setting an easy to clean Thanksgiving dinner table using decorative paper plates and napkins.
Have you ever noticed that the dinnertime clean-up takes longer than it takes folks to eat the food? Holiday or not, the food seems to get consumed at some break-neck speed with nothing left but dirty plates, crumpled napkins and crumbs on the floor as evidence a meal just occurred.
So this Thanksgiving, why not cut yourself some slack and focus on the food, family and dinnertime drama instead of a sink full of dirty plates and silverware?
See how I used plastic tablecloths and paper plates to create an easy clean-up Thanksgiving table.
*This post contains affiliate links. A purchase of any of these items helps to support this blog and its creative efforts at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. To read more, please see my disclosure page.
How to Make an Easy Clean Thanksgiving Table
Paper plates and plastic silverware gets a bad wrap but gone are the days of white styrofoam plates and cheap plastic forks. There are so many great toss away dinnerware options out there. So I’m excited to be working with Oriental Trading Company to create a pretty Thanksgiving table using disposable dinnerware and decorations.
What I used to create my Thanksgiving Table!
– Chocolate Brown and Orange Table Cloth
– Copper Chevron Scalloped Dinner Plates
– Orange Dessert Plates
– Chocolate Brown Chevron Napkins
– Chocolate Brown High Cutlery Set
– Clear Cups
– Mini Cocktail Clear Cups
– Honeycomb Tissue Pumpkin Decorations
– Weaving Placemats
– Pumpkin Patch Shaped Sticker Scenes
how to set a no clean up thanksgiving table
I started my easy clean-up Thanksgiving table by creating the centerpiece.
I used two plastic table cloths, folded them in half and gathered them with a few pieces of raffia (or ribbon).
Fill the center of the table with a variety of pumpkins, tissue paper pumpkins and table plants.
Click here to see how I created this brown paper grocery bag autumn leaf vases!
No Clean up! DIY thanksgiving table with paper plates and napkins
Involve the kids in the Thanksgiving festivities by having them create placemats.
It’s a great way to keep them out of the kitchen, if only for a few minutes!
Create simple napkin fans and fill the mini cocktail cups with a sweet dinnertime treat.
Create your own autumn-themed custom straws by sticking an autumn-themed sticker onto orange polka dot paper straws.
Give disposable plates and silverware a new look this Thanksgiving holiday and create your own easy clean Thanksgiving table!
how to keep kids busy at thanksgiving dinner
Keep the kids busy, whether at their own table or after the meal, with an autumn-themed sticker set.
It also makes for a fun Thanksgiving take home!
Would you consider using paper plates and napkins and plastic cutlery for you holiday feast?
It certainly makes for a fuss-free, easy clean Thanksgiving table!
Other Autumn Ideas You May Enjoy:
- Sew an envelope pillow with super cute fleece pumpkin on it
- Make a mesh pumpkin door wreath in 5 easy steps
- Decorate your home with these 10 autumn decor ideas from Amazon and Etsy
- Use fabric scraps to make fun, colorful fabric pumpkins
- Paint pinecones for an easy, rustic Halloween candy cone garland
Do you follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram?
I would appreciate any social media love you can send my way.
Amanda says
I love the placemats! So fun!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks, they are fun placemats. Plus, a great way to keep the kids busy!
Sabrina says
This is such a great idea Victoria. I love how colorful it is and that you incorporated some craft time with it. Well done π
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Sabrina!
Lindsay Eidahl says
This is the cutest table!!! How fun! It is fun blog hoppin’ with you this week!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks so much Lindsay!
Michelle James says
I just love your table and how great that its easy cleanup! I’m a huge fan of Oriental Trading too!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Michelle! More time to watch football and the parade!
Meegan says
How fun! I love all the creative ways you include your family. It is so wonderful to have them help, isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing your quick clean up ideas.
Have a great week.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Meegan! Just visited your intimate Thanksgiving table. Love it.
Kelly @ North Country Nest says
This is so festive and I love that you were able to get the kiddos involved! And, who knew disposable plates were so cute?!
Best,
Kelly
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Kelly! Yes, there are really cute paper products out there nowadays. No more white styrofoam dinner plates!
Amy @ My Life From Home says
I love how kid-friendly this table setting is and that cleanup is easy makes me even happier!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Amy!
Chloe Crabtree says
What fun your tablescape is and how fun is it that you involved the kids! You are so right about easy clean up! I love how you made your centerpiece, it looks like a canoe!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks! I saw the canoe similarities too, ha ha!
Denise says
What a great idea, and so cute!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks so much, Denise!
Carol says
This table should make it more fun for kids – crafts and no worry about destroying a good tablecloth.
Zan Turner says
Plastic plates and spoons etc sound good to me! I love using them various times at home when I don’t want to clean up. What a great idea to use it for a Thanksgiving tablescape!!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Zan! It’ll give you less time standing at the sink and more time hanging out and eating pie!!
[email protected] says
Very nice tablescape! I love the place mats – such a cute idea!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Andrea! The kids had fun putting them together.
Kimm at Reinvented says
Love the paper pate option, such a pretty tablescape! Have a happy Thanksgiving and thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday!
Tracey says
I love this! We have a lot of children at our Thanksgiving table, and the thought of using my good dishes makes me cringe. I am totally down with the disposable plates!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Ha ha! Yes, I feel the same way.
Vicki and Jennifer Fenton says
We love your fun and colorful tablescape. The placemats are just adorable! So fun hoping with you this week!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Vicki and Jennifer!
Krishna says
You had me at easy clean! What a beautiful Thanksgiving table you’ve created. I usually dread having to clean up after everyone once the food has been eaten, but I might have to steal some of your ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Lora says
The place mats are so cute and look like a great activity! It was fun hopping with you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Anika says
this is such a cute setting!! And I just love the fact that it is all Easy clean… The placemats are so cute and such a fun activity!
creativejewishmom/sara says
Love those kid woven placemats! thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday!
Julie says
Finally a practical (and fun!), kid-friendly table! I have six kids and am always looking for creative ways to keep them involved while I’m preparing the food! I especially love the placemats! Thank you!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Julie! I only have three kids and it’s all about distractions and activities!
Susanne says
So festive!!! I love all the bright colors π I always use paper plates and plastic silverware for holiday gatherings, but nothing as beautiful as this! Thank you for sharing at TaDa Thursday!!
Vanessa says
This is a great idea and I love how fun and festive the table looks. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party. It’s great having you.
Katherines Corner says
this is so cute and creative, thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things link party xo
[email protected] says
Very good idea! Clean up always takes so long and no one needs to do it. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Keri says
This Thanksgiving tablescape is lovely!! Great idea to use disposable dinnerware so you can spend more time visiting and less time cleaning up.
Kim Smith says
Very colorful and cozy table scape. I think my family would be very comfortable here. I love the contribution from the kids. They truly remember things like this!
Sandra L Garth says
Oriental Trading has a great line of holiday decor and I love how you styled this table. Using decorative paper and plastic is a good way for us to enjoy the festivities rather than too tired to have fun.
Kathleen says
I would SO do this! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
Amber Harrop says
Your table looks great Victoria and I love the different paper products
Debrashoppeno5 says
Fantastic idea. It gives the kids something to do. And it is easy to clean up so there is time to enjoy the holiday.
Christina Makri says
Your table looks so festive! Full of colors! Great ideas and tips π
Chas says
Thanks for sharing. I love the woven mats, brings back childhood memories.
Leslie says
Totally agree that making Thanksgiving easy to clean up is essential. (Even just posted earlier this week about how we used disposable decor last year…how’s that for timing?) Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Wendy | The Art of "Why Not?" says
So creative! I love the way you mixed the natural elements with the creative disposable decorations. Very pretty plus easy cleanup is a win!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Agreed, Wendy. Thanks for stopping by!
Elizabeth @ Guilty Chocoholic Mama says
Brilliant. First you gave me a wreath idea even a DIY-failure can make, and now this. I’m thankful for YOU this Thanksgiving! π #BloggersPitStop
candy says
Great looking table without using real plates and silverware. Love these ideas. Found you on Bloggers Pit Stop
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Candy! Nothing like throw away, right?!
Teresa says
Great tips. I’m all in for easy cleaning. Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
Cathy Lawdanski says
So clever and it looks fantastic!
Michele says
Your table is pretty and practical. I remember making placements for our table when I was a kid. I was so proud that my mom used them at Thanksgiving.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Michele!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
Your easy clean thanksgiving table is very popular so let’s feature this post on the Blogger’s Pit Stop
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Great, thank you!
Jerri says
I love anything I don’t have to clean. And this looks REALLY great! Very festive. Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I’m featuring you this week.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks so much Jerri!
Lisa says
This is beautiful! I love that the kids can help and it’s so easy to do. Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday!
Rhonda says
I’ve been using paper plates and plastic utensils for years. Your table is much more festive than mine. I need to step up my game, and add more holiday accessories to the table. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Zaleina says
This table is not only beautiful but solves a big problem for me! Thank you for this brilliant idea, Victoria! So excited to try it out.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thank you Zaleina! Cleaning up is sometimes more work than actually making the food.
Jenny says
What a beautiful table and I love all the little homemade touches, plus so kid friendly! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Barbara Chapman says
Such a cute table setting! I love how your daughter was helping create the placemats; kids just really enjoy getting into the holiday spirit! Love your ideas and they are kids friendly. Pinning to my At Table and Holiday Decorating _Thanksgiving/Fall boards for you. <3
Happy fall to you and your family,
Barb π
The Freshman Cook says
I love how fun and colorful this is!I think i will try this on the kids table this year! We all love Oriental Trading! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!