DIY Your Thanksgiving Table Settings

I love the colors of fall – the reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves, the deep greens and earth tones of pumpkins and gourds. Sure, you can go out and buy decorations for your Thanksgiving table, but why not DIY them instead? A trip outside or to the grocery store will yield some great elements for your Thanksgiving table setting.

Here are some of my favorite ideas:

1. Natural Place Cards

DIY place cards for your guests at Thanksgiving dinner. For example, my daughter and I collected pinecones when we were raking leaves. I thought they’d make great place card holders.

Before you put the pinecones on your table, you want to make sure there aren’t any, well, critters living in them. To do that, line a baking sheet with heavy duty foil, put them on the sheet in a single layer, and then bake them in your oven at 200 degrees for about half an hour.

I used shipping tags (you can get these at any office supply store) and a black paint pen to make the place cards. Once the pinecones have cooled, just wrap the wire of the shipping tag around it (be careful not to break pieces off the pinecone).

I love the little pumpkins you find at stores and markets this time of year. It’s so easy to turn these into place cards for your table.

I just took a black paint pen and put my guests’ first initial on the pumpkin. Couldn’t be easier. This would be a great project to do with kids – they could add the initials to the pumpkins.

Or you could give your guests a flower to remember the holiday, setting their place with a bright, cheerful sunflower.

I just wrapped a shipping tag around a small bud vase with the sunflower in it. You can find small vases at the dollar store, or you could upcycle small jars or glasses for this project.

2. Festive Fruits

I remember, when I was in Brownie Scouts a few years ago (ahem), we made pomanders – oranges with cloves stuck in them.

Oranges add a pop of bright color to the table and the pomanders smell so warm and fall-ish. This is also a great project for kids.

Apples – the perfect fall fruit – also make festive table decorations.

Oh, and I DIY’ed the candle holders, too. I just put coffee beans in a vase and added a vanilla-scented candle. So pretty and fragrant.

3. Pumpkins and Gourds and Leaves…Oh my!

This is the time of year for pumpkins and gourds. Use them to make a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

Or place different sized pumpkins on a cake plate.

It’s easy to DIY your Thanksgiving table with elements found in nature or at your market. Please leave us a comment below and let us know what you would DIY for your Thanksgiving table!