Here in Canada we are about to celebrate our Thanksgiving on Monday and then I know my lovely neighbours to the south will be celebrating their’s next month. So I thought it would be fun to put together a post on items you could purchase to add some “Vintage” to your Thanksgiving holiday (decor, cookbooks, clothing and more).

1950s vintage thanksgiving illustration of a family about to enjoy thanksgiving dinner.

Post Updated October 4th, 2023.


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & Unique Vintage are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily. OR you can visit my Etsy ‘Vintage Thanksgiving‘ Collection.

How to get a Vintage Thanksgiving Look

Thanksgiving Table Decor Inspiration

Table Decor is a MUST to bring your Thanksgiving table to next level, starting with a pretty themed vintage tablecloth like the ones below.

1960’s Linen floral tablecloth with fall colours. This is a beauty.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decorations: 1960's Linen floral tablecloth with fall colours. This is a beauty of a mid century home decor item.

Source: Etsy

1950’s tablecloth with an Autumn maple leaves motif.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: 1950's Country Kitchen Rectangular Cotton/Linen Tablecloth with Autumn Maple Leaves Motif

Source: Etsy-whatadishcollection

This is a perfect 1960s fall / Thanksgiving tablecloth with all the fruits of a bountiful autumn harvest printed around the border.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: 1960s fall / Thanksgiving tablecloth with all the fruits of a bountiful autumn harvest printed around the border

Source: Etsy

A pretty vintage tablecloth with a bounty of Fall Harvest items as the pattern. So lovely.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: A pretty vintage tablecloth with a bounty of Fall Harvest items as the pattern
Source-Etsy: LinensandThings

As for what goes ON the Tablecloth how about these delightful 1940s Vintage Anagram Letters?

1940s vintage table decor / Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: 1940s Vintage Anagram Letters
Source-Etsy: JustSmashingDarling

If you love the Turkey in the image above, then you can take them home below- 2 Morton Pottery Turkey Planters circa 1940s.

Vintage Thanksgiving Deocrations: 2 Morton Pottery Turkey Planters circa 1940s.
Source-Etsy: CRCRUMSEY

Kitschy Salt & Pepper shakers will always be appropriate on the Thanksgiving table in my home (and yours too!).

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Lovely set of ceramic turkey salt and pepper shakers, vintage Japan 1950s.

Source: Etsy

Mid Century Fall basket: A variety of velvety fall apples, nuts and plastic branches in a woven basket.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Mid Century Fall basket Thanksgiving cornucopia 1950s kitsch decor plastic apples nuts

Source: Etsy – ShipItToMe

Not into the kitsch? No worries! This Mid Century vintage white speckled ceramic Cornucopia will be a stand out on your holiday table.

Vintage Thanksgiving decorations: Mid Century Vintage Cream White Speckled Ceramic Cornucopia

Source: Etsy

Having lots of guests over? Here is a nifty idea on how to remember where everyone should sit-Place Cards!

Place card holder Thanksgiving fall tablescape from the 1950s.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Place Card Holder Thanksgiving Fall Tablescape Set Of 6 Vintage 1950s

Source: Etsy

Turkeys! One more example of vintage place cards you can be inspired to add to your vintage Thanksgiving decorations.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Vintage Thanksgiving place settings-Turkeys.
Source-Etsy: FeraliaVintage

Vintage Thanksgiving Cooking Tips

Further Reading: Vintage Tips for a “Perfect” Thanksgiving Dinner

Need some help with your turkey or thanksgiving recipes? Then Butterball has you covered with their 1950s advertisement and informational pamphlet for Swift’s Premium Butterball Turkey.

P.S. Etsy has LOADS of vintage cookbooks if your in the market for going down that route.

Vintage Thanksgiving: 1950's Thanksgiving Recipes. All About Butterball Turkey Booklet. Vintage Cookbook.
Source-Etsy: ThirstyOwlVintage
1950s inside of Turkey Recipe book. Vintage Thanksgiving: 1950's Thanksgiving Recipes. All About Butterball Turkey Booklet. A Vintage Cookbook.
Source-Etsy: ThirstyOwlVintage

Spice up those Gravy recipes with Campbell’s ‘Gravy Dishes Recipe Booklet’, 1960s.

Vintage Cookbook perfect for a Vintage thanksgiving: Campbell's Gravy Dishes Recipe Booklet, 1960s
Vintage Cookbook perfect for a Vintage thanksgiving: Campbell's Gravy Dishes Recipe Booklet, 1960s

Source: Etsy

Now how to take the turkey out of the oven? How about with this Thanksgiving kitchen towel? This is funny, cute and vintage all at the same time. I’m guessing this towel has to be late 1930s by looking at her hair and shoes but that is just a guess.

On another note, I would totally cook the turkey if my husband would pull me around on a trolly to bring it to the table lol!

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Vintage Kitchen Towel circa 1930s / 1940s showcasing a woman holding a turkey being pulled by a chef.
Source-Etsy: NeatoKeen

Your holding the turkey now what to put it on?? This 1950’s vintage Turkey Platter should do the trick.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: 1950s Turkey Platter
Source-Etsy: FrancesAttic

Or a 1950s/ 1960s Vintage Noritake Bordeaux pattern large oval serving platter. Stunning!

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Vintage Noritake Bordeaux pattern large 16 inch oval serving platter.

Source: Etsy

One more pretty Turkey platter from the Mid Century.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Turkey 15" Serving Platter / Serving Dish - Midcentury

Source: Etsy-Junkarella

Vintage Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

A vintage cookbook is always the way to go for authentic recipes from a bygone era (as mentioned above). This particular gem was made in 1958. It features 61 pages of recipes and illustrations.

1950s Vintage Dessert cookbook-Vintage Thanksgiving. "The ABC of Desserts" from 1958.
Source-Esty: cocoskitchen

I love Pie! Mmmmmm Pie! Party Pie Book Good Housekeeping Cookbook 1950s.

Vintage Party Pie Book Good Housekeeping Cookbook 1950s. Vintage Pie Recipes.
Vintage Party Pie Book Good Housekeeping Cookbook 1950s. Vintage Pie Recipes.

Source: Etsy

After your dessert decisions have been made I’m SURE one of those is pumpkin pie and you will need just the right plate to serve it on.

This plate is from the 1970’s but I don’t mind at all because I just think it is fantastic and so perfect for your thanksgiving table. It even has the recipe for pumpkin pie in case you forget. Just don’t put the pie on it till your done WITH the recipe 🙂

Vintage Thanksgiving Decoration: Vintage Plate for pumpkin pies from the 1970s.
Source-Etsy: VLDDecorandHome

You could also use the Blue Ridge Southern Potteries ‘Thanksgiving Turkey’ plate for some of your goodies. The image on the plate is a bit quirky which I like.

Vintage thanksgiving Decoration: Blue Ridge Southern Potteries 'Thanksgiving Turkey' plate
Source-Etsy: PastPiecesVintage

Thanksgiving Fun for Kids

Like my household (I have 2 nephews and niece) there might be kids at Thanksgiving so what can you do to keep them entertained? How about reading a Thanksgiving story like this wonderful 1954 book Written by Esther M. Schenk?

I know I know! this idea will only keep them amused for 5 mins but it falls into the “vintage” theme and so therefore perfect for this blog post.

1950s childrens book - Thanksgiving Time from 1954.
Source-Etsy: grandmothersattic
1950s childrens book - Thanksgiving Time from 1954.
Source-Etsy: grandmothersattic

Vintage Thanksgiving Fashion Ideas

Lastly what to wear? Well that could be anything from a cute vintage dress, slacks, vintage apron or vintage novelty skirts. The list is endless!

A cute terry towel cotton half apron from the 1960s. It has shades of green and a tan brown “Thanksgiving bounty” of fruits and vegetables with fall leaves on the edges.

Vintage Thanksgiving: a cute terry towel cotton half apron. It has shades of green and a tan brown "Thanksgiving bounty" of fruits and vegetables with fall leaves on the edges. Circa 1960s.

Source: Etsy

Can’t get any more “Thanksgiving” then Cornucopia baskets on this 1950s/ 1960s full skirt.

1950s vintage novelty skirt - Cornucopia baskets on this 1950s/ 1960s full skirt.
Source-Etsy: SavvySpinsterVintage

Bring a little 1960s into your holiday plans with this Autumn Fit & Flare Dress. So Cute!

Note: Unique Vintage has LOADS of new items added daily to their “Modern vintage style” website. This item may not be avail but they have new collections to review. Just head on over to their website and browse.

Smak Parlour Orange Autumn Floral Jet Setter Fit & Flare Dress. 1960s style dress.

Source: Unique Vintage

BUT I think a must for whatever outfit you chose, there should be a themed vintage brooch on your lapel.

Now as Canadian’s we don’t have “Pilgrims” in our Thanksgiving story but this pin is too cute to pass up!

vintage thanksgiving pin featuring a pilgram. Cute Vintage thanksgiving Fashion.
Source: Etsy-Desert Gemstones

Pilgrims not your thing? How about Vintage Turkey Brooches?? Yup, this is awesome!

Turkey Brooch Pin Multi Colored Made of Sterling Silver

Source: Etsy

Vintage Turkey Brooch
Source-Etsy: roseluv

Here is the Cornucopia basket again (2 of them to be exact!) -Kitschy and fun!

Vintage Jewelry Signed American Greetings Colorful Thanksgiving Cornucopia Pin Brooch

Source: Etsy

Vintage thanksgiving Brooch -Cornucopia basket
Source-Etsy: AllureofJewels

I will now leave you with the BEST earrings for those who love to bring the fun to the Thanksgiving Table..the 1950s John Morrel Baked Thanksgiving Ham Earrings!

The ORIGINAL Retro 1950s John Morrell Baked Ham Easter Thanksgiving Dinner Kitsch Polymer Clay Junk Food Earrings

Source: Etsy

And that my friends is some of my “Vintage Thanksgiving deocrations & fashion” ideas. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving whenever you are celebrating it 🙂


Looking for more vintage items? Then take a look at my Vintage Thanksgiving Etsy collection HERE (updated regularly).


Question: I would love to know if you have vintage Thanksgiving deocrations that you already incorporate into your holiday decor? Please Share!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Further Reading:

Liz 🙂

7 Comments on It’s Thanksgiving! Vintage Thanksgiving Items To Add A Vintage Look To Your Holiday Festivities

  1. That cornucopia skirt. Oh…my…word!!! *Smitten* If only it was even remotely near my size.

    I hope you had a joyful, gorgeous, and wonderfully fun Thanksgiving, dear Liz!

    ♥ Jessica

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