Canada AM expert Karl Lohnes shares these easy tricks to add colour, shine and sparkle to your Thanksgiving decor.

Tabletop colour trends (Grey-Brown-Red-Orange)

  • Mix and match expensive elements with less costly ones. On our table, we mixed high-quality wine glasses with affordable and durable dishes for a balance of everyday luxury.
  • Mix faux and fresh elements. Add lush colour and texture to your table with faux fall garlands and add fresh flowers in smaller ways.
  • Layer your table clothes. Layer a lush throw, blanket or rug on the table to add an elegant yet casual feel to the table.
  • Introduce neutral colours in dishes and add seasonal colours with accessories. This helps save money in the long run and allows you to follow decor trend with less expensive accessories.

(Corelle, pewter colour, $80/4 place settings, Bed, Bath & Beyond. www.bedbathandbeyond.ca.)

Centerpiece ideas (Mixing fresh and faux fruits, customize candles)

  • Mix faux foliage and fresh flowers together for impact. Try using pumpkins, twigs, pine cones and birch bark as natural elements in your décor scheme.
  • Mix colours and shapes. Bring decor elements like decorative glass objects, small vases and ornaments that have fall colours onto the table for colour and shape.
  • Customize candles.

(LED candles, faux floral sprig, glass ornaments, Homesense, www.homesense.ca.)

Seasonal hostess gifts (Personalized, fun and useful):

  • Bringing a bottle of wine is a nice gesture. But don't expect your host to use it during their dinner party; they will most likely have a selection pre-planned. I like to bring useful utensils that are fun or hard to find. A colourful turkey baster, wine glass charms or a set of drink coasters are all fun, inexpensive and unique.

(Featured wine glasses: Riedel, www.riedel.com.)

Featured wine: Sterling Vintner's Collection Chardonnay (white, $15) and Sterling Vintner's Collection Pinot Noir (red $15), www.sterlingvinyards.com

Variety of hostess gifts: $5-$20, Homesense. www.homesense.ca.

METRO nights at the LCBO: Learn all the tricks to decorating your tree and home during the holiday season with Canada AM's decor guru Karl Lohnes. A special 'Holiday Tree-Trimming' event will be held Thursday, November 17, 6:30-8:30pm. Go to: http://www.lcbo.com/learn/lifestyleevents kingsway.shtml for more information about the event and tickets.