Easy-to-Make Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Make decorations inspired by the vibrant colors of fall.

Thanksgiving table decorations do not need to be complicated or elaborate to make a table that features fall colors and accentuates the simplicity of the holiday. Work within a color scheme of fall leaves, with deep reds, oranges, yellows and golds. Choose a few table decorations that fit with your overall style and budget. The projects are easy enough to enlist the help of children in getting the table ready for guests to arrive.

Things You'll Need

• White table runner
• Leaf stamp
• Red paint
• Yellow paint
• Red card stock
• Gold paint pen
• Gold pin
• Pears
• Glass vases and bowls
• Fresh cranberries
• Shelled nuts
• Pillar candle or fresh flowers
• Leaves
• Red or orange napkins
• Raffia ribbon

Instructions

1. Stamp a white table runner with leaf-shaped stamps dipped in a marbled mixture of yellow and red paint. If you do not have a leaf-shaped stamp, carve your own in a potato half. Spread the table runner over the Thanksgiving table after it has dried.

2. Write each guest's name on a simple white rectangular card stock. Use a gold pen on a dark red card to bring in the rich fall colors. Attach each name card to a fresh pear with a simple gold pin. Select pears with more yellow and brown tones than green to keep them within the color scheme. Set a pear at each seat as place cards.

3. Place a small vase inside a larger glass vase. Fill the space between the vases with a mixture of fresh cranberries and nuts in their shells. Place a pillar candle or an arrangement of flowers in fall colors inside the small inner vase.

4. Set a variety of clear glass vases and bowls on the table. Place a few pretty leaves that feature fall colors in each vase or bowl.

5. Roll a red or orange napkin for each guest. Instead of using napkin rings, tie a few pieces of raffia in natural colors around each napkin. For both the napkin and raffia, choose colors that coordinate well with the rest of the shades already on the table.

References

• "Country Living" magazine: Thanksgiving Table Settings