Deep Casual Hosting: 5 Ideas for the Autumn Table from the Remodelista Archives

No need to get out the card table (though we have to admit the kids’ table has a certain nostalgic appeal). Over the years, we’ve filed away tips for hosting on a budget, last-minute, and for a big group—no matching table settings required.

For when guests are coming in a few hours, here are five favorite foraged, stress-free, low- and no-cost tips from years past.

Ad-Hoc Table

Above: No need for a plastic folding table. Two sawhorses and a plank of wood are all you need for a chic setup, as evidenced in The High/Low Table: 11 Ideas to Steal from the Hudson Valley. Photograph by Brooke Fitts, courtesy of Ravenwood. For more sawhorse tables, styled, see Small-Space DIY: 7 Sawhorse Dining Tables for Impromptu Gatherings.)

Last-Minute Centerpiece

Above: Need something for the middle of the table? Shop the fridge. Leafy produce and a few carafes are all you need for Alexa’s DIY: A Thanksgiving Centerpiece (for Under $10). Photograph by Alexa Hotz.

Impromptu Candle Holders, Two Ways

Above: “With an apple corer, the world is your candlestick,” says event designer Molly O’Rourke. Hunks of bread, ripe autumn fruits, even potatoes become ready-made candle holders. See more in DIY: Ad-Hoc (and Edible) Candleholders. Photography by Greta Rybus for Remodelista in Maine. Above: Or, candleholders found in an unlikely spot: the hardware store. Chances are, you have some of these brass pipe fittings in the basement, garage, or lying around the house; they make surprisingly appealing taper holders. See more in our old post: Steal This Look: An Easy and Elegant Thanksgiving Tabletop from the Garden.

Foraged Placecards

Above: Save paper and get creative with repurposed placecards instead. “I got the idea to make placeholders when I found some American sycamore bark on the ground.” says eco-minded DIY-er Priscilla Woolworth. “It’s often curled but lots of pieces were just flat enough.” Ad-hoc and unforgettable. See more in The DIY Table: Priscilla’s Woolworth Conversation-Starter Place Settings Made from Castoffs. Photography courtesy of Priscillia Woolworth (@priscillawoolworth).

Fall Garden Garland

Above: Just say no to grocery store flowers. We’re willing to bet that, with all its seed pods and dried foliage, your backyard garden has all the makings of a beguiling centerpiece. Step out of the kitchen for a wee break in the backyard—or, collect greens on a bundled-up walk before dinner. See how Michelle made this pretty display—no floral wire needed—in DIY: Foraged Thanksgiving Tabletop with Berries and Branches. Photograph by Michelle Slatalla.

Hosting? Here are more tips for pulling off a party with aplomb:

• Expert Advice: How to Throw a Dinner Party with Minimal Effort, from an SF Creative Director
• Fast, Cheap & Easy: 10 Budget DIY Decor Ideas for the Thanksgiving Table
• 10 Tips: How to Create a Laid-Back Thanksgiving, Northern-California Edition