A Thanksgiving table begins to feel like Thanksgiving long before the turkey comes out. There’s a platter of something salty to nibble on, a bottle open on the sideboard, and a place set for the guest who always arrives early. By the time the coffee is poured, the candles have burned low and no one is in much of a hurry to leave.
For this year’s edit, I’ve gathered the things I’d reach for at each of those moments: a magnolia garland to lay out the night before, Haitian seasonings for a side dish worth making room for, and a few gifts that feel personal enough to bring to someone else’s table.
CG Hunter | Faux Green Magnolia Leaf Garland
There’s a particular pleasure in setting the table the night before, when the house is quiet and there’s time to see how everything looks together. CG Hunter’s 9' Faux Green Magnolia Leaf Garland ($149.99) makes a generous runner down the center of a long table. Its full green leaves look especially good against ivory linen and warm brass. Let the foliage do most of the work, with a few candlesticks tucked between the leaves and enough space left for serving dishes.
Once Thanksgiving is over, drape it across the mantel or along a sideboard. The same deep green that looks so good with autumn colors works just as well with the warmer glow of December lights.
Reader offer: Use code PLB15 for 15% off. Photo credit: CG Hunter.
Fleur D’Epis | Bundle Box
A holiday menu can hold both the dishes everyone asks for and one they’ll ask about next year. Chef Nadège Fleurimond’s Fleur D’Epis Bundle Box ($89.99) makes a lovely case for Djon Djon rice. Made with Haitian black mushrooms, the rice has a deep savory flavor and a striking dark color. Spoon it into a wide serving bowl and bring it to the table alongside the roast and vegetables.
The box also includes two signature Épis blends. Use the all-purpose seasoning to give vegetables or rice more depth, or choose the meat and seafood blend, available in spicy and non-spicy versions, for poultry or seafood. For a host who likes discovering new ingredients, it’s the kind of gift that can inspire an entire meal after the holiday.
Louis Sel | Sel Marin with Fennel and Citrus
A pinch of Louis Sel’s Sel Marin with Fennel and Citrus ($15.99) brings a fragrant finish to the dishes that tend to disappear first. Sprinkle it over carrots as they come out of the oven, try it on roasted Brussels sprouts, or finish a bowl of squash soup with a few crystals just before serving. The fennel has a gentle sweetness that suits the season, while the citrus lifts the richer flavors on the plate.
Founder Karen Pevenstein brings specialty sea salts harvested by independent salt farmers in Brittany, France, to U.S. kitchens. A jar is an understated host gift for someone who loves to cook, and one they can keep within reach long after Thanksgiving.
Jittery Joe’s x Goose | What A Day To Be Livin’ Coffee
Put a pot on when the pecan pie comes out. Jittery Joe’s and the band Goose teamed up for What A Day To Be Livin’, a limited release that blends coffees from Guatemala and Brazil. Notes of praline and sweet orange give this medium roast a natural place on the dessert table, especially with a slice of something nutty or buttery.
The illustrated tin, designed by GUMBO Design Co., takes its cue from the Goose song “The Empress of Organos.” Look closely at the steam curling from the empress’s cup and you’ll see the band’s name spelled out. It’s a playful gift for a music lover, and the tin looks right at home beside the coffee service.
The first bites
Bear Creek Smokehouse | Charcuterie Spread
Set out the Bear Creek Smokehouse Charcuterie Spread while the turkey rests. The assortment includes peppered pork tenderloin, pork loin, two kinds of summer sausage, two cheeses, garlic pickled chips, garlic-stuffed olives, a dip mix, and crackers. Arrange the meats and cheeses on a wide board, tuck the olives and pickles into small bowls, and let guests help themselves as they arrive.
Amylu | Cranberry & Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs
Amylu’s Cranberry & Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs pair sweet cranberry with a little jalapeño heat. The club-size pack is useful when the guest list runs long. Serve the meatballs warm on a shallow platter with cocktail picks and a small bowl of tart cranberry sauce for dipping.
From the first pour to the last cup
Soulshine Carolina | Orchard Harvest Cocktail Infusion Kit
Dried apple, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and Demerara sugar give Soulshine Carolina’s Orchard Harvest Cocktail Infusion Kit the fragrance of an autumn kitchen. Add bourbon or blanco rum three days ahead, then strain the infusion before guests arrive. One jar makes about eight cocktails, so you can offer a house drink without spending the first hour of the gathering behind the bar.
KOVAL | Cranberry Gin Liqueur
KOVAL’s Cranberry Gin Liqueur ($32.99) gets its ruby color from real cranberries, while the Chicago distillery’s dry gin gives it a bittersweet edge. Pour a little into a flute and top with prosecco for a cranberry aperitif. For a longer drink, serve it over ice with sparkling water.
St. Supéry | Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot
The 2021 St. Supéry Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot ($75 suggested retail) is a full-bodied red with notes of black plum, dark cherry, mocha, and toasted oak. Pour it alongside herb-roasted turkey or glazed ham, or save a glass for the aged cheddar and conversation that linger after dinner. If you’re still planning the menu, St. Supéry’s Thanksgiving recipes and chef tips are a useful starting point.
VARA | Tempranillo Gold Label
VARA’s 2020 Tempranillo Gold Label opens with cherry, fig, and plum, followed by black pepper and a savory note of thyme. Its bright acidity and polished tannins suit the richer dishes on the table. Open it with a roast, or bring it out with a wedge of aged Manchego as the evening winds down.
3 Leaf Tea | Cinnamon and Chocolate Hojicha
A warm cup of hojicha from 3 Leaf Tea is a lovely way to settle in after dinner. Serve the Cinnamon Hojicha with apple pie, or make the Chocolate Hojicha into a latte for guests who want something warm and toasty. Both are blended in small batches in Auburn, New York, without added sugar or fillers. Samplers start at $6 and tuck neatly into a host gift.
The details that make it yours
Callie | Engraved Charcuterie Board and Initial Linen Napkin
Callie’s engraved wooden charcuterie board is the sort of host gift you can bring already dressed with cheese, fruit, and crackers. For the table itself, embroidered initial linen napkins lend a quieter personal touch. Fold them simply so the stitching shows, or give a set to someone hosting their first holiday in a new home.
Chouquette Chocolates | Thanksgiving Favor Box Place Cards
A little box with your name on it is a lovely thing to find at your seat. Chouquette Chocolates’ Thanksgiving Favor Box Place Cards hold two artisan chocolates and double as place cards. Founder Sarah Dwyer left a corporate career to start the Gaithersburg, Maryland, chocolate business, where her kitchen team includes people with intellectual differences. Set a box at each place and let guests decide whether to save theirs for coffee.
Success Rice | Instant Jasmine Rice and White Rice
There’s room on the holiday table for an easy side that still feels like something you made your own. Success Jasmine Rice makes a fragrant base for a pilaf with parsley and toasted almonds. Success White Rice cooks in about 10 minutes and works well folded through sautéed mushrooms and thyme. Both come in 32-ounce boxes, handy when you’re cooking for a full table or bringing a dish to share.
Milerd | Detoxer
A tray of pears, a pile of Brussels sprouts, greens for the salad: there’s plenty to wash before the first guest arrives. The Milerd Detoxer is a countertop device designed for washing fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s a practical gift for someone who spends as much time preparing the meal as setting the table.
MirthWell | Wooden Play Kitchen Cookware & Dining Set
The youngest guests can host a dinner of their own with MirthWell’s Wooden Play Kitchen Cookware & Dining Set ($67.99). The solid beech wood set includes a lidded pot, a saucepan, utensils, and place settings for two, with soft blue accents. Designed for ages 3 to 6, it’s a sweet gift to bring to a house where little ones like to help in the kitchen.
Reader offer: Use code POSH16 for 16% off shopwide through December 31, 2026. Limit one use per customer; cannot be combined with other codes. MirthWell recommends ordering by November 12 for delivery before Thanksgiving.
