Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26 this year — and if the whole family is coming to your house, you've probably already done the math. Twelve people, a table that seats six, and a serving platter that won't hold the turkey. Sound familiar?
Before you head to a furniture store and pay full retail for a dining set you'll need in five weeks, consider the smarter route: quality used dining room furniture and serving pieces from a local consignment shop. Here's what hosts across Holly Hill, Orangeburg, Santee, St. George, and Summerville should be looking for this fall — and a timeline to make it all come together.
The Furniture That Makes Hosting Easier
A Bigger Dining Table (or a Second One)
Solid wood dining tables — especially the older ones with leaves — are one of the best values in secondhand furniture. They were built to seat a family every night for decades, and many expand to seat eight or ten. If you don't want to replace your table, a second table at the end of the first (covered with one long cloth) is the classic Southern solution.
Extra Chairs
Mismatched dining chairs aren't a compromise — they're a look. Pick a common thread (all wood, all painted the same color, or all one style) and mix the rest. Benches are another great option: they seat more people in less space and work in an entryway or at the foot of a bed the rest of the year.
A Sideboard or Buffet
Getting food off the table frees up room for people. A sideboard or buffet gives you a place to set out dishes, desserts, or drinks — and plenty of storage for linens and serving pieces the other 364 days of the year.
A Bar Cart or Console Table
Set up a self-serve drink station away from the kitchen and you'll stop traffic jams before they start. A vintage bar cart or narrow console table in the living room does the job perfectly.
Seating for the Living Room
After dinner, everyone heads for the game. An extra armchair, a loveseat, or a couple of ottomans keep folks from standing around the den all afternoon.
Serving Pieces and Table Setting
- Platters and serving bowls — a turkey-sized platter is hard to find new at a good price, but turns up often secondhand.
- China and dinnerware — fill out a set for a crowd, or mix patterns for a collected look.
- Silver and silver plate — trays, gravy boats, and serving utensils dress up the table instantly.
- Glassware — vintage stemware and pressed-glass tumblers are inexpensive and beautiful.
- Cake stands and pie plates — because there will be more desserts than anyone needs.
- Candlesticks — brass or silver, grouped down the center of the table. See our vintage holiday decor guide for styling ideas you can carry right into December.
Why Buy Secondhand for the Holidays
New furniture can take weeks to deliver — and holiday backorders are real. Secondhand furniture is on the floor today. It's also usually better built: solid wood instead of particleboard, real joinery instead of cam locks. Our post on why consignment beats retail breaks down the savings, and our vintage furniture buying guide explains how to spot quality.
Your Thanksgiving Hosting Timeline
Your Countdown to Thanksgiving
- Now through early November: Count heads, measure your dining room, and shop for furniture. This is when selection is best.
- Two weeks out (by Nov. 12): Have your table and seating in place. Do a test layout so you know where everyone will sit.
- One week out (by Nov. 19): Gather and wash serving pieces, polish silver, iron linens.
- Weekend before: Set the table early if you can — one less thing on Wednesday night.
Measure Before You Shop
Plan for about 24 inches of table width per person and at least 36 inches of clearance between the table edge and the wall so people can pull chairs out. Bring your room measurements (and a photo) when you visit — it makes choosing the right size table much easier.
Find Your Table in Holly Hill
Room Swap is centrally located for hosts all over the region — about 30 minutes from Orangeburg, close to Santee and the Lake Marion communities, and an easy drive from St. George, Moncks Corner, and Summerville. Inventory changes daily, so if you see something you love, don't wait. Room Swap Consignments is at 8531 Old State Road, Holly Hill, SC 29059. We're open Tuesday through Friday, 12–5 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM. Holiday-week hours can shift, so check our Facebook page or call 843-900-1412 before you make the drive.
Upgrading? Sell Your Old Dining Set
If a new-to-you table means your old one needs a home, we may be able to buy it outright or sell it on consignment — consignors earn 40% when items sell. Text photos to 843-900-1412 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Where can I buy a used dining table near Orangeburg or Summerville, SC?
Room Swap Consignments in Holly Hill — about 30 minutes from Orangeburg and an easy drive from Summerville — carries quality used dining tables, chairs, sideboards, and serving pieces, with new inventory arriving daily.
How big a dining table do I need to seat 10 people?
Plan on about 24 inches of table length per person. A rectangular table around 96 to 120 inches long, or a table with leaves, comfortably seats 8 to 10.
Can I sell my old dining set to Room Swap?
Often, yes. We buy select quality furniture outright and offer consignment with a 40% consignor payout. Text photos to 843-900-1412 for an evaluation.