Easy-To-Make Thanksgiving Decorations

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for so many families – a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, eat more than enough good food and give thanks for everything you have. However, with so many things to take care of during this special time, it can also be timely and costly. Instead of spending time shopping for the perfect decorations and spending all that unnecessary money, consider making your own Thanksgiving decorations this year. Read on to discover some amazingly easy and inexpensive Thanksgiving table decorations that you and your family can make together this holiday season.

How To Decorate For Thanksgiving

Decorating for Thanksgiving is all about creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that celebrates the beauty of autumn. Start by incorporating natural elements like pumpkins, gourds, and dried Indian corn into your decor; you can display them on the dining table, along mantels, or in decorative baskets. Adding a mix of seasonal foliage, such as fall leaves, wheat stalks, or eucalyptus, brings texture and warmth. Candles are another fantastic way to set a festive, inviting tone—consider placing them in rustic holders or lanterns to enhance that fall feeling.

To elevate your Thanksgiving table, use a warm, earthy color palette of oranges, browns, reds, and deep greens for table linens, napkins, and centerpieces. A simple burlap or plaid table runner can add charm, while place cards and napkin rings with miniature pine cones or sprigs of rosemary add a personalized touch. For a more playful twist, add Thanksgiving-themed accents like small turkeys, acorns, or gratitude cards where guests can write what they’re thankful for. With these DIY Thanksgiving decorations and a few thoughtful touches, your space will feel both festive and comforting for the holiday.

List of Lovely Ideas For Thanksgiving Decor

Ready for some great DIY Thanksgiving decorations? Creating your own Thanksgiving decorations is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your holiday celebration while bringing warmth and charm into your home. DIY decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you like, from handmade centerpieces and wreaths to unique place settings and festive garlands. Using natural materials like pine cones, dried leaves, and seasonal fruits makes it easy to capture the essence of autumn without breaking the bank. Plus, crafting these decorations can become a fun family activity, allowing everyone to contribute to the festive atmosphere. With a little creativity, you can transform your home into a cozy, inviting space that beautifully reflects the spirit of gratitude and togetherness.

Thanksgiving Table Decor:

Thanksgiving table decorations can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your gathering. Here are some ideas to help you create a beautiful and festive table setting.

Pumpkin Centerpieces

These gorgeous centerpieces take absolutely no time at all. In addition, they will for be a fun conversation piece for all of your Thanksgiving dinner guests. All you need is an assortment of small gourds and pumpkins, faux autumn leaves from a craft store or some real ones from your yard if they are in good shape, and one, two or three (depending on the length of your table)tall clear vases – cylindrical or square work best. Simply fill each vase with an assortment of the various gourds and pumpkins you have purchased from the market and place your autumn leaves sporadically throughout the arrangement. Place your vases on the table, and voila! A beautiful Thanksgiving centrepiece that took merely minutes to make!

Pumpkin Candle Holders

Another great way to find some use for those smaller pumpkins you find at the market is to turn them into Thanksgiving candle holders. (see photo above)

You will need:

• Newspaper
• Serrated Knife
• A few smaller pumpkins (however many you desire)
• A larger scoop or spoon
• An equal number of column candles (approx 6” in height and 1-2” in diameter)

After spreading out your newspaper, cut a hole into your pumpkins that is just slightly smaller than the diameter of the candle. Scoop out as much of the seeds as possible. If the hole is too small to get all of the seeds, cut another hole in the bottom of equal size and scoop more from the bottom. Rinse out your pumpkin once it is free of seeds and repeat this step for each of your pumpkins.

Once all of your pumpkins are carved out, place your candle inside of the hole. The candle’s should stick out about 2 inches or more. If you find them to be too short, place a votive holder upside down inside of the pumpkin and stand the candle on top of it. This should allow more of your candle to stick out from the pumpkin. Place your new candle holders as centrepieces on your table, on your fireplace mantle, or even on the window sill.

Paper and Gourd Turkey Crafts

This particular Thanksgiving decoration is fun for the whole family to make.

You will need:

• Brown, red, orange and yellow tissue paper
• Scissors
• Orange and red piper cleaner
• A drill
• A few dried gourds (available at most markets this time of year)
• Black headed sewing pins
• Hammer

With your children, fold all of your tissue paper together like an accordion. Once folded, Take all of your colors and separate them, and then folding them back into their accordion shape. Using scissors, cut a rounded edge on each colored accordion, making sure to cut each color slightly shorter than the last. Unfold each sheet of paper and place them all together again. Refold them into an accordion and secure the center with a piece of orange pipe cleaner. Fan out your paper on each end to make a bow-tie shape, separating each color to make them all visible. Fold your bow-tie in half like a “V” shape so that the sides of your accordion meet. Set aside.

Using your drill (this part is for the parents to do), drill 5 holes into your gourd – one at the back where the turkey tail will go, two on the bottom for feet, one in the front about an inch and a half from the top for the beak, and another slightly below that for the wattle. Using your orange pipe cleaner, cut into smaller pieces and twist together to make two feet and a beak. Cut another smaller red piece and twist it to make a wattle. Insert each of these parts into their proper drilled holes. Using the folded tail from earlier, insert the twisted pipe cleaner ends into the back of the gourd. Fluff up the tail to show all the colors.

Finally hammer in two black headed sewing pins above the beak for eyes. And there you have it, a fun, dried gourd turkey that even your kids can enjoy!

Festive Fall Napkin Ties

This is another easy, ready in minutes decoration idea to help bring the Thanksgiving feel to your dinner table. All you need is some twine, a single hole punch, some natural brown card stock and some dried baby corn cobs that are available in markets and at craft stores everywhere. Using the card stock, cut out a number of circles (or leaf shapes if you are more artistic) and write the name of each guest on each piece. Punch a hole at the top of each tag. String each tag onto a longer piece of twine. Take your napkin and fold it into a rectangle.

Place a baby dried corn cob in the centre of the napkin. Wrap your twine around the napkin and the baby corn, securing it in place. Tie off the twine in a nice bow and bring the name tag forward so it is easily seen. Now you have a natural, easy and festive napkin tie to add that special touch to your thanksgiving table.

Seasonal Table Linens

Choose tablecloths, placemats, trivets or table runners in autumnal colors and patterns. For example, Thanksgiving table setting in plaid, gingham, or harvest-themed designs like pumpkins or leaves. All of these of Thanksgiving dinner table decorations will help make the day feel more festive and special.

Front Door Thanksgiving Decoration:

Nothing says welcome to your guests like a beautiful Thanksgiving wreath on your front door and a pretty Thanksgiving-themed welcome mat.

You can make a DIY Thanksgiving wreath with a few craft supplies from your local craft store. Here are several gorgeous ideas:

• Floral Fall Door Wreath (as seen above)
• Corn Husk Wreath
• Thankful Pumpkin Hoop Wreath

And here is my favorite Thanksgiving welcome mat. It is available through my affiliate link on Amazon. I just love the cute Turkey!

Conclusion

Remember to consider the size and layout of your table, as well as the number of guests, when planning your Thanksgiving table decorations. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process of creating a beautiful and welcoming space for your loved ones to gather and celebrate.

I hope you enjoyed these DIY thanksgiving table decorations that are easy to make.

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Fall Table Centerpiece Ideas

Thanksgiving Holiday Safety Tips

Free Printable Thanksgiving Place Cards and Placemats