If you want to put a unique spin on Thanksgiving festivities this year, the answer is simple: crafting. Every Thanksgiving hosting guide will devote plenty of attention to the feast itself, but a truly memorable gathering isn't just about food; often, it's the tiny, personal touches that really make a long-lasting impression on your guests.
Creating DIY decorations might not be at the top of your Thanksgiving checklist, but it's a brilliant way to channel the holiday spirit. After all, why spend extra dollars on your Thanksgiving decorating ideas when you can get the whole family involved – and end up with some one-of-a-kind pieces for far less? We've enlisted the help of experts to share some simple, but show-stopping Thanksgiving crafting ideas, from handwritten menus to customized linens, to set your gathering ahead of the rest.
1. Create a Rustic Garland
A seasonal garland is a staple piece in your fall decorating arsenal, but why not make your own? Foraging for leaves and pinecones is a great kid-friendly activity, and there's something so uplifting about putting your seasonal finds on display for guests to admire.
'Your fall decor doesn't need to be all store-bought; the season provides plenty of natural elements for you to decorate with,' reflects Adrian Aviles, owner of Athletic Club Flower Shop in Los Angeles. 'I love using fresh flowers and greens such as eucalyptus, marigolds, and fall leaves in shades of oranges, yellow, and brown.'
To get started, all you need is a pair of reliable multipurpose scissors and some floristry wire (or natural jute twine, for an earthy look) – and if you want to, 'add more texture and fragrance, by mixing in natural accents like slices of dried oranges, whole pomegranates, or even cinnamon sticks,' says Adrian.
Nestle some faux stems among your foraged leaves for a pop of color – these artificial berries are the perfect nod to the harvest season.
No time to collect supplies and make a garland from scratch? Start with a lush base like this artificial garland, before weaving in flowers, dried leaves, and even string lights.
If a walk in the woods doesn't yield quite the right foliage for your garland or you want it to be a little more long-lasting, you can rely on some faux additions like these vibrant maple leaves.
2. Invite Guests to Sign Your Tablecloth
Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to dig out your best linens, but if you're looking for a particularly unique Thanksgiving table decor idea, start with a simple white tablecloth and ask your guests to adorn it with handwritten messages and gratitude notes.
'I started a new tradition in my own home by having my family and friends sign the white tablecloth on the table after each holiday meal,' explains Thelma Mura, founder of Your Family Threads. 'I then embroidered each signature, and have been adding more every Thanksgiving and Christmas since. It turns every holiday gathering into an heirloom that will transcend generations.'
It's always a special moment when the tablecloth is unfolded every year – and everyone loved the idea so much that I developed The Memories Tablecloth kit to allow others to start their own tradition.'
Make your own customized tablecloth with a simple base like this one from Martha Stewart. The subtle honeycomb pattern adds a touch of luxury; all you need is some embroidery thread, which you can get at Target.
From Thelma's family tradition, the Memories Tablecloth kit was born. It allows anyone to imbue a simple tablecloth with precious family memories – and keep the crafting going every year.
If you don't fancy taking on an embroidery project, keep it simple and ask guests to sign a book instead – display it in your entryway or on your mantel during the holiday.
3. Add a Fresh Twist to Your Napkin Rings
If turkey napkin rings, like these from Williams Sonoma are a little on the nose for you, one of the simplest Thanksgiving crafts starts in your backyard – or your pantry. DIY napkin rings are guaranteed to elevate your table settings.
'Tie sprigs of rosemary, thyme, or sage around napkins using jute twine for a simple yet aromatic touch to your Thanksgiving table,' advises Forrest Webber, founder of The Trade Table. 'These will introduce a fresh fragrance and allow you to incorporate touches of your Thanksgiving meal into the decor.'
Knit the look together by adding the same herbs or sprigs into a centerpiece, wreath or garland for a cohesive look.
Bring the outdoors in by tying these miniature pine cones on to your napkin rings with some metallic thread – they pair wonderfully with a rich, autumn-inspired color scheme.
These faux fir rings are a ready-made alternative to making napkin rings from scratch. Use them as a base for your crafting, adding flourishes, like a handwritten name card tucked into it or adding a miniature bell or decoration.
Repurpose your favorite gift wrap accessories by turning ribbon into Thanksgiving napkin rings. This velvet ribbon will look so effective tied in a simple bow around some classic linen napkins, and you can use what's left for wrapping Christmas gifts.
4. Build a Gratitude Chain
Pictured: the heart medallions paper garland at Terrain
A gratitude chain is the perfect Thanksgiving activity to keep kids entertained – but that doesn't mean adults can't get involved, too.
'I love to turn construction paper (buy it from Amazon) or fabric scraps into a family gratitude chain,' says Forrest. 'Each guest writes something they’re grateful for and links the strips together, until you're left with a paper garland that you can drape across your table or hang in the doorway.'
It'll be a wonderful reminder to look back on the following year to compare what you're thankful for now, and you can create a new one every year to display over a mantel, in a doorway or down the staircase.
Simple but stunning, this harvest-hued paper chain is 10ft long, allowing plenty of links for filling with your Thanksgiving messages year after year.
Celebrate the joy of the harvest season with this paper garland; you can leave it as it is, or ask guests to write messages on each leaf, if you like.
Bring some classic Liberty charm into your home with this gorgeous paper chain set, which will make a fun activity to create together as a family over Thanksgiving.
5. Design Handwritten Menus
Your feast might be packed with classic Thanksgiving dishes, so why not share what you'll be serving your guests by creating personalized, hand-written menu cards.
For a rustic Thanksgiving craft idea, for example, Amanda Groebner, interior designer and co-owner of TimeWorn Wood, Minnesota, suggests: 'handwritten menus look beautiful scrawled across stained wood boards with chalk ink pens. This adds an intimate, personal touch to any table.'
'Try decorating your menus and name cards with pressed leaves or dried flowers,' adds Forrest. 'You can also encourage kids to write short gratitude notes on the back for guests to find at the table.'
Add a particularly gorgeous touch to your menus by using floral paper: every sheet will be totally unique, and your guests can take theirs home as a keepsake.
Slot handwritten menu cards into these pumpkin-shaped holders and watch your Thanksgiving tablescape come to life. You could also customise the papier mache with paint, pressed flowers, or decoupage.
Rustic, charming and easily customizable, these menu cards are a hosting savior – I like to keep a stack of them tucked away for last-minute gatherings.
6. Fashion a Paper Cornucopia
Nothing celebrates the harvest season quite like a cornucopia filled with fresh produce – but it's also the perfect crafting opportunity.
'Cornucopias are such traditional Thanksgiving decorations, but filling them with perishables can be tough,' reflects Janna Willoughby-Lohr, founder of Papercraft Miracles. 'Make some paper flowers, fruits, vegetables and leaves to fill it with instead, and you can reuse all your homemade ornaments for years to come.'
Start with a simple cornucopia basket (like this one from Walmart) before gathering your craft supplies: newspaper or aluminum foil; tissue paper; and a hot glue gun (available at Amazon).
'Scrunch up your newspaper or foil into into the shape of harvest fruits and vegetables like apples or pumpkins, then use tissue paper to cover each shape before sticking it all into place using low-temperature hot glue.' Jana explains. 'You can also trace leaves and petals onto scrapbook paper and glue them onto floral wire stems to create foliage. Then, simply place all the items into your basket and glue into place one at a time using hot glue.'
A cornucopia is a ready-made Thanksgiving centerpiece – no matter what you fill it with. Add string lights or flameless pillar candles to set the mood.
Though they look just like pumpkins, these charming pumpinos are in fact an ornamental variety of eggplant – and they happen to make a charming Thanksgiving decorating idea.
A potpourri is a failsafe hosting hack, but it also makes the perfect addition to a harvest-inspired cornucopia. This one includes faux acorns, wheat sprigs, pinecones and star flowers.
Crafting is always rewarding, but it can feel a little chaotic. If you're gearing up to start your Thanksgiving craft projects but you're apprehensive about clutter, check out our guide to organizing a craft room – you can work on all your homemade table decor and still leave your home spotless for guests.
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