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83 DIY Thanksgiving Decorations That Will Win You Hostess of the Year 2023

Put these on display in your living room or dining room.

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thanksgiving table settingpinterest
Brian Woodcock

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Decorating for Thanksgiving, along with planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu, can feel like an insurmountable challenge. This year, put your creativity and crafting know-how to use to make an inviting, unique fall scenes without a ton of effort. From rustic Thanksgiving table settings to easy Thanksgiving decorating ideas for your living and dining room, there's an idea in here for every host—regardless of personal style or taste. Twirl up Thanksgiving centerpieces to delight all your dinner guests, make charming ice buckets out of fake reusable pumpkins, a table runner out of vintage grain sacks, or string together miniature wreaths with which to decorate your candles. When it comes to DIY decor, the possibilities are endless!

Looking for outdoor Thanksgiving decorations, too? We've got a ton of those: Our Thanksgiving door decorations and fall wreaths are an easy way to refresh your front porch and make a lasting impression on your guests before they even set foot inside. Of course, on Thanksgiving, the dining room table should be considered the crown jewel of your home. That's why we've put so much thought into Thanksgiving decoration ideas that'll delight your entire family—even your youngest kids. Whether you're looking for a fun kraft paper tablecloth, a printable banner, or an inexpensive arrangement, we've got you an idea we know you'll love.

1

Take It to the Barn

thanksgiving ranch dinner table holiday tablescape
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Keep the decorations simple with this casual barn-inspired table. Beautiful flowers, casual linens, and thoughtful place settings establish a relaxed tone.

SHOP TABLECLOTH

2

Put the Dessert First

farmhouse in 10 acre pecan grove in the mississippi delta designed by holly audrey williams and rachel hardage barrett
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Find a special spot to create a display for all of the desserts. This nook has a perfect spot for pies among the cake stands and antique serving vessels.

SHOP WHITE CAKE STANDS

3

Add an Unexpected Element

farmhouse in 10 acre pecan grove in the mississippi delta designed by holly audrey williams and rachel hardage barrett
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Harmonicas do double duty as a placecard holder and party favor for this casual setting. Pair with transferware plates and mismatched linens.

SHOP HARMONICAS

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4

Copper Pitcher Display

seasonal flower bouquet arrangement in a copper pitcher
Becky Luigart-Stayner

A seasonal flower arrangement takes center stage in a vintage copper pitcher. Try clipping your own fresh foliage to get a similar look.

SHOP COPPER PITCHERS

5

Take the Feast Outdoors

outdoor thanksgiving table with mismatched chairs
Becky Luigart-Stayner

If your Thanksgiving weather will be warm enough, host the main event outdoors on a farm table. The mismatched chairs set a festive and casual tone, and beeswax tapers cast a magical glow.

SHOP OUTDOOR DINING CHAIRS

6

Decoupaged Plates

black and white photos decoupaged into the middle of decorative plates

Pull out the old family photos for this nostalgic decoration. This photo display will welcome guests and show grandma just how much you love her!

To make: Use original or make copies of vintage photos. Cut out to fit the inside rim of a plate (smaller plates such as saucers or salad plates work with most standard 4x6 photos). Use satin or glossy Mod Podge to attach photo. Let dry, then display on your favorite plate stand.

SHOP TRANSFERWARE SAUCERS

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7

Display Transferware Plates and Pumpkins

transferware pumpkins
Becky Stayner

Grab the Mod Podge for this easy project. A simple trip to the color copier is all it takes to “transfer” your collection to a pumpkin.

To make: Simply make a color copy of a your favorite plates and trays, then cut the paper into strips and adhere to a pumpkin or gourd with the Mod Podge.

SHOP MODPODGE

8

Simple Tablesetting

single letter “monograms” made with baker’s twine on dinner plates
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Impress your guests with this easy idea. Create monograms out of baker's twine, and place on plate. Decorate the table with paper leaves.

SHOP BAKER'S TWINE

9

Kids Table Idea

kids’ table design
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Don't forget the kids on Thanksgiving. For this idea, embrace the butcher paper. It evokes a rustic feel, doubles as a coloring surface, and makes for quick cleanup. You can also add an “I’m thankful for” fill-in-the-blank activity at each place setting and bundle colored pencils with the napkin topping each vintage enamelware plate. Store-bought turkey hats serve up particularly precious photo ops.

SHOP BUTCHER PAPER

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10

Display Family Photos in Cloches

use vintage flower frogs to hold photos upright, then place beneath glass cloches and bell jars

Use vintage flower frogs to hold family photos upright, then place beneath glass cloches and bell jars. If your frog doesn’t have tines, fashion a holder by wrapping craft wire around a 3/4-inch dowel a few times, leaving a 1- to 2-inch tail that you insert into a hole of the flower frog. For a more organic feel, incorporate earthy elements such as moss, rocks, and pine cones.

SHOP GLASS CLOCHES

11

Embrace the Bird

farmhouse in 10 acre pecan grove in the mississippi delta designed by holly audrey williams and rachel hardage barrett
Becky Luigart-Stayner

And not just the turkey! An English dresser makes an ideal display space for a collection of pheasant plates and does double duty as a bar.

SHOP PHEASANT PLATES

12

Plaid and Wood Table Setting

thanksgiving table setting
Annie Schlechter

The hues of fall are on display in this warm and cozy table setting.

To make: Start by cutting a vintage wool blanket into placemats. Drill holes in craft nuts and thread with wire or twine to create napkin rings. Finally, write guests names on new or vintage wooden spoons with paint pens to create sweet place cards.

SHOP WOODEN ACORNS

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13

Grainsack Patchwork Runner

patchwork table runner
Annie Schlechter

Vintage grain sacks and scraps of fabric make quite a statement when cut and sewn together in a patchwork pattern. Try to pick fall color schemes (reds, oranges, browns, and yellows) that will match your decor.

To make: Cut 4-inch squares from grain sacks and coordinating assorted fabrics, such as gingham, stripes, and knobby linen. Layout in a patchwork pattern mixing the materials; sew together. Fringe the cut edges as desired.

SHOP GRAIN SACK FABRIC

14

Leaf & Pinecone Napkin Rings

thanksgiving decorations napkin rings with pine cones
Annie Schlechter

Oak-shaped leaves cut from scraps of fabric get tied up with mini pine cones that have been spray painted gold. Tie around corresponding color napkins with leather cording for an on-point table setting.

SHOP SMALL PINECONES

15

Fabric Pumpkin Centerpiece

pumpkin thanksgiving decorations
Annie Schlechter

Craft your own personal pumpkin patch using old quilts and fabric scraps.

To make: Start with a round piece of fabric and a ball of batting (about the size you want your finished pumpkin to be). Gather the fabric up around the batting and hot glue it together in the center. Collect dried stems, or purchase faux stems, and attach with hot glue for a realistic touch. Line the middle of a long farmhouse table with a runner, then pile on your creations and other seasonal greenery. These would be an adorable accent to a mantel or buffet as well.

SHOP PUMPKIN STEMS

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16

DIY Rope Cornucopia

thanksgiving decorations cornucopia
Annie Schlechter

Fashion a DIY cornucopia out of just 2 materials, rope and hot glue. For a striking display fill with monochromatic bounty such as red grapes and apples, and pomegranates.

To make: Fold the end of a long length of 3/4-inch manila or jute rope over on itself about 4 inches. Start wrapping the long length of rope around the folded piece, forming the cornucopia, arching it and making it wider as you work, holding everything together with hot glue. When you get to the desired size do one last pass between and on top of the last two rows then add a circle of rope on the bottom to act as a base and keep it from rolling.

SHOP ROPE

17

Fiery Flowers Centerpiece

thanksgiving centerpiece
Annie Schlechter

Go for bold red and yellow blooms instead of the usual muted fall tones. In a vintage pudding tin or other favorite vessel, add flowers first, then mix in fall leaves, berries, magnolia leaves. Tip: Start with more stiff/branchy pieces to make a strong base, then move to softer, delicate materials. Finish it off with a ribbon tied with dried gourds.

SHOP DRIED GOURDS

18

Mini Pumpkin and Nut Topiaries Centerpiece

thanksgiving topiaries
Annie Schlechter

Gather a grouping of these tabletop topiaries down the middle of the table or on a buffet.

To make the nut topiaries, lightly spray styrofoam craft balls with brown paint. Once dry, hot glue nuts to styrofoam balls in an orderly pattern, as shown. For the walnut topiary, start with a middle equator row and add rows up and down from there. Add hazelnuts to fill any gaps. For the raw almond topiary, start at the top and work your way down, gluing horizontal rows around the perimeter and overlapping slightly for full coverage. Leave space at bottom to rest on top of candlestick bases. Attach with hot glue, as needed.

To make the pumpkin and squash topiaries, remove stems, except for the top pieces. Stack two pumpkins and secure using small wooden skewers or toothpicks. Skewer the bottom piece and place into crocks filled with floral foam. Cover foam with Spanish moss, and finish with grapevine accents.

SHOP WALNUTS

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19

Turkey Vases

turkey vases filled with wheat

These festive vessels are perfect for a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Fill them with rustic wheat for a finishing touch. Check out resale sites like Chairish and Etsy for vintage pieces with extra character.

SHOP WHEAT SHEAVES

20

Leaf Place Card and Acorn Napkin Ring

thanksgiving table setting
Brian Woodcock

Nature is the theme of this classically fall hued table. Hot glue acorns to lengths of brown waxed twine and use to tie up rolled napkins. Apply gold leaf to a portion of a preserved maple leaf and use a gold paint pen to mark with guest's initials.

SHOP CRAFT ACORNS

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