Simple Thanksgiving Tablescapes DIY: 17 Easy Projects

A handmade Thanksgiving table feels warm and special. The best part is that DIY decor is cheap, and most of these projects can be done in under an hour. You do not need to be a crafter.

Here are 17 simple DIY Thanksgiving tablescape projects. Each one lists what you need and has easy steps. Pick two or three, and your table will look beautiful.

Safety First

• An adult should use hot glue, knives, spray paint, and the oven.
• Use LED tea lights, not real candles, in decor made from fruit, paper, or twine.
• Spray paint outside or in a very open space.
• Do not eat pumpkins, apples, or oranges used as decor.

1. Cardboard Tube Napkin Rings

You need: A cardboard paper towel tube, scissors, twine or ribbon, hot glue

Cut the tube into rings about 1 1/2 inches wide. Wrap each ring with twine or ribbon, and glue the ends inside. Slide a napkin through each ring. Each ring costs almost nothing.

2. Gold Striped Chalk Painted Pumpkins

You need: Small real or faux pumpkins, white chalk paint, a brush, a gold paint pen

Paint each pumpkin with 2 coats of white paint. Let them dry for an hour. Draw gold stripes or dots with the paint pen. Group three pumpkins in the middle of the table.

3. Dried Orange Slice Garland

You need: 4 oranges, a baking sheet, parchment paper, twine, a needle

Slice the oranges 1/4 inch thick. Pat dry with a paper towel. Bake at 200°F for 2 to 3 hours, flipping every 45 minutes, until dry and not sticky. Let cool. Thread them on twine with a needle. Drape the garland down the table.

4. Apple Tea Light Holders

You need: Firm apples, a small knife and spoon (adult use), LED tea lights

Cut a round hole in the top of each apple, large enough for an LED tea light. Scoop out a little of the inside. Set the light in the hole. Arrange 3 to 5 apples down the table. Use LED lights only.

5. Pebble Place Cards

You need: Smooth flat stones, a gold or white paint pen

Wash and dry the stones. Write each guest’s name on a stone. Place one on each plate. Guests can take the stone home.

6. Paper Bag Pumpkins

You need: Brown paper lunch bags, newspaper, orange paint, twine, a stick or cinnamon stick

Paint the bags orange and let them dry. Stuff each bag with crumpled newspaper. Twist the top into a stem and tie with twine. Add a cinnamon stick as a stem. Make 3 to 5 in different sizes.

7. Pumpkin Vase

You need: A medium pumpkin, a small glass jar that fits inside, a knife (adult use), fresh or dried flowers

Cut a wide hole in the top of the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds. Place a clean jar inside the hole and fill it with water. Arrange the flowers in the jar. The jar keeps the water away from the pumpkin.

8. Cinnamon Stick Candle

You need: A pillar candle (LED is best), cinnamon sticks, a wide rubber band, twine or ribbon

Place the rubber band around the candle. Slide cinnamon sticks under the band, side by side, all the way around. Cover the band with twine. Add a small bow.

9. Gold Acorns

You need: Acorns, gold spray paint, newspaper

Wash and dry the acorns. Spread them on newspaper outside. Spray with gold paint. Let them dry for an hour. Scatter them down the table or fill a small bowl.

10. Contact Paper Leaf Placemats

You need: Clear contact paper, kraft paper or card stock, real fall leaves

Cut a piece of kraft paper to placemat size (12 x 18 inches). Lay leaves on top. Cover with clear contact paper. Press out all the air bubbles and trim the edges. Wipe clean after dinner.

11. Thankful Tree Centerpiece

You need: A few bare branches, a vase, paper leaves, string, a pen

Put the branches in a tall vase. Cut paper leaves with a hole at the top. Place a pen and leaves near the vase. Guests write what they are thankful for and hang their leaf on the tree.

12. Twig Napkin Holders

You need: Small twigs, twine, scissors, cloth napkins

Cut 6 to 8 twigs about 4 inches long. Tie them together in a bundle with twine around the middle. Place on each napkin. It looks natural and rustic.

13. Fall Pom Pom Garland

You need: Yarn in rust, mustard, and cream, a fork, scissors, string

Wrap yarn around a fork 30 times. Tie it in the middle with another piece of yarn. Slide it off and cut the loops. Trim into a ball. Make 12 to 15. Tie them on a string with space between them.

14. Fabric Scrap Napkin Ties

You need: Scrap fabric in fall colors, scissors, napkins

Cut fabric into strips about 1 inch wide and 12 inches long. Tie a strip around each napkin in a bow. Use different strips for a patchwork look.

15. Wine Cork Place Card Holders

You need: Wine corks, a small knife (adult use), small cards, a pen

Cut a slit across the top of each cork. Slide a name card into the slit. Place one on each plate.

16. Brown Paper Fringe Table Runner

You need: Brown kraft paper roll, scissors, tape

Roll out the paper down the table. Cut deep fringe along both long edges, about 3 inches long. Tape the ends under the table. Place a few pumpkins and candles on top. It is quick and costs very little.

17. Twine Wrapped Jar Lanterns

You need: Clean glass jars, twine, hot glue, LED tea lights, small leaves or sprigs

Glue the end of the twine near the bottom of a jar. Wrap the twine in rows all the way up. Glue the end. Tuck a small leaf or sprig under the twine. Place an LED tea light inside.

Thanksgiving Tablescapes Simple DIY: Supplies List

Keep these items in one box. Most projects use them:

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks (adult use)
• Twine and ribbon
• Scissors and a small craft knife (adult use)
• White and gold paint, brushes, and a gold paint pen
• Kraft paper and card stock
• LED tea lights
• Real or faux leaves, pumpkins, and acorns

Thanksgiving Tablescapes Ideas Simple DIY: Weekend Plan

• Weekend before: Dry the orange slices. Make the pom pom garland and the paper bag pumpkins. Paint the pumpkins.
• 2 to 3 days before: Make the napkin rings, pebble place cards, cinnamon candle, and placemats.
• Day before: Spray the acorns. Set up the table runner, and arrange the centerpiece. Make the pumpkin vase and the apple holders on the last day, so they stay fresh.
• Day of: Add LED lights and fresh flowers.

Tips for DIY Table Decor

• Pick 2 or 3 colors and repeat them on the table.
• Keep the centerpiece under 12 inches tall, so guests can see each other.
• Test hot glue on a small spot first.
• Work on a covered table to protect the surface.
• Let paint dry fully before you stack or place items.
• Ask kids to help with the pom poms, the place cards, and the thankful tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece?
The paper bag pumpkins and the brown paper fringe runner. Both use only paper and paint.

How far ahead can I make these?
Most can be made 3 to 7 days ahead. Make the apple holders and the pumpkin vase on the last day.

Can I use real leaves?
Yes. Choose fresh, flat leaves. Press them in a book for a day, so they lie flat.

Are the apple holders safe?
Yes, if you use LED lights. Do not use real candles in fruit.

Final Thoughts

A DIY Thanksgiving table is simple, cheap, and full of warmth. Pick a few projects and make your table your own. Save this post and pin your favorite DIY tablescapes so you can find them later.