19 DIY Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas

November 1, 2023 // Posted in Home Inspiration

Thanksgiving, a time-honored tradition that brings families and friends together, is not only a feast for the palate but also a feast for the eyes. This year, why not add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving celebration by creating your own DIY decorations that will infuse warmth, charm, and a touch of creativity into your holiday gathering?

To get inspiration, we’ve collected some easy-to-make DIY Thanksgiving decoration ideas that will help you transform your home into a cozy, autumn-inspired haven. Whether you’re a seasoned crafting enthusiast or a beginner looking to explore your creative side, these projects will spark your imagination and bring a special, homemade flair to your Thanksgiving table. From rustic centerpieces to handcrafted wreaths and playful pumpkin-themed accents, there’s something here for everyone to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving and make this holiday truly memorable. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your supplies, and get creative!

Fall Candle Wreaths

From Tonality Designs

Create adorable mini wreaths that will fit around your candles! This tutorial takes you through the simple steps to make a wreath — or several — using small pine cones, acorns, faux flowers, faux greenery, and other found materials.

Gold Leaf Table Runner

From Design Improvised

Table runners are perfect for big family gatherings, as guests (especially little ones) can doodle or write what they’re thankful for. This table runner is made from a roll of butcher paper, some leaf stencils and gold craft paint!

Acorn + Pinecone Garland

From The Happy Housie

Bring the outdoors in with this rustic, minimalistic acorn and pinecone garland! You can use acorns and pinecones gathered from your backyard or a nearby park — or you can cheat and get them from a craft store if you’d like.

Mason Jar Luminaries

From Girl Inspired

Photo Courtesy of Girl Inspired

Make your Thanksgiving table glow with these simple Mason jar luminaries! Battery-operated string lights are the perfect way to illuminate the table without candles, especially if you have active little guests.

Fall Color Block Cork Placemats

From Inspired by Charm

Add a unique modern touch to your table with these color block leaf cork placemats! You can cut cork into different leaf shapes to be used as placemats, a runner, trivets, or coasters — and don’t forget to paint them in your favorite colors!

Rustic Basket Wreath

From Twelve on Main

Sometimes, random thrift store finds can be turned into the most unique decor — like this rustic basket wreath made with a shallow basket lid! All you need is a basket, faux flowers, black craft paint, a paint brush, ribbon, and a hot glue gun to bring it all together.

Gratitude Tree with Acorn Favors

From The House That Lars Built

Photo Courtesy of The House That Lars Built

This project is more than just a gratitude tree — it’s a collection of party favors your guests will love! Everyone will write something they are thankful for on each leaf and in exchange, they’ll go home with one of the adorable acorns hanging from the branches, which are actually eOS lip balms they can use all winter long.

Gold Leaf Place Cards

From Lark & Linen

Add a touch of glam to your natural tablescape by drying colorful leaves, then dipping them in gold paint to turn them into these beautiful gold leaf place cards! Next, write each guest’s name and place them in the proper seats.

Turkey Balloons

From Design Improvised

The kids will love this one! Make the most of the oblong shape of balloons by turning them on their side to make these adorable turkey balloons. You’ll add googly eyes and colorful feathers to bring the turkeys to life!

Pumpkin Pie Place Cards

From A Beautiful Mess

Help everyone find their seat with these adorable, playful pumpkin pie place cards made with orange and brown cardstock, white pom poms, and a place card template you can download!

Printable “Give Thanks” Banner

From Homey Oh My

Keep things extra simple with this printable “Give Thanks” banner! Homey Oh My makes it even easier by providing downloadable files for each letter — all you have to do is print and hang them, and you’ve got the perfect photo backdrop for your feast.

Autumn Embroidery Hoop Wreath

From Love Create Celebrate

Embroidery hoops provide the perfect base for the modern wreath of your dreams — including this autumn wreath from Love Create Celebrate! Personalize it with your favorite fall florals and hang it on your door or wall with a strand of ribbon.

Rustic Turkey Centerpiece

From Made in a Day

Photo Courtesy of Made in a Day

If you have a more natural look to your Thanksgiving decor, you have to make this rustic turkey centerpiece! Use a twig pumpkin as your base and adorn it with twigs, a pine cone, dried wheat stems and bronze metallic spray paint to create a turkey to place in the center of your table.

Pumpkin Pie Garland

From Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss

Give everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving dessert a prominent spot in your home with this pumpkin pie garland. All you’ll need is some orange and tan felt, twine and some pom poms to create the dollops of whipped cream!

Book Page Leaf Garland

From Thistlewood Farms

If your home has a more neutral color scheme, create this simple (and free!) book page leaf garland using pages from an old book you no longer need. The older the pages, the better — or you can crinkle them or dip them in tea so they look more aged and weathered.

Butternut Squash Centerpiece

From A Piece of Rainbow

Photo Courtesy of A Piece of Rainbow

Butternut squash is the fruit of the season (yes, it is technically a fruit!). Display this seasonal produce in a stunning centerpiece filled with other natural elements, like leaves, berries, pinecones, succulents, and moss.