Thanksgiving isn’t just for kids—adults can get creative too with DIY crafts that add a personal touch to the holiday.
Whether you’re looking to decorate your home or create thoughtful gifts, these ideas are perfect for adding some handmade charm.
Here are some DIY Thanksgiving crafts to try this year.
Apple Candleholders
Repurpose apples as charming candleholders. Carve a small, shallow hole in the top of each apple to fit a candle snugly, then arrange them on a cake stand or plate with sprigs of eucalyptus for a seasonal and aromatic display.
Paper Leaves Wreath
Greet guests with a paper leaf wreath inspired by fall foliage. Cut leaf shapes from pages of a vintage book, or photocopies if you prefer, and attach them to a wreath form with hot glue. Layer and overlap the leaves as you go, finishing the look with a burlap ribbon for hanging.
DIY Wheat Cloches
For a sophisticated farmhouse feel, create wheat cloches. Gather small bundles of wheat, secure with twine, and place inside an upside-down cloche. Top the cloche with a base, and add small bits of wheat to votive holders for a refined, cohesive look.
Flint Corn Wreath
Capture the spirit of the harvest with a flint corn wreath. Remove the husks from one side of each corn cob, hot gluing them to an 18-inch wreath ring in alternating colors. Layer the cobs in a circular pattern, filling any gaps with extra husks for a beautifully textured, seasonal wreath.
Wheat Horseshoe Wreath
Spruce up chairs with a wheat horseshoe wreath. Start by bending a piece of wire into a horseshoe shape, wrapping it in masking tape to protect surfaces. Attach bundles of wheat to each side of the horseshoe, leaving a space at the top for a bow, creating a unique decorative touch for chair backs.
Gold-Dipped Corn Husk Wreath
For a chic twist, make a wreath from gold-dipped corn husks. Wrap corn husks around an 18-inch straw wreath, securing with hot glue. Paint additional corn husks with gold acrylic at the tips and attach in concentric rings on the wreath form. This elegant piece adds a bit of sparkle to your decor.
DIY Corn Centerpiece
Add a luxurious touch to your Thanksgiving table with a corn centerpiece painted in gold and copper. Hot glue painted corn cobs to the edge of a round vase filled with seasonal flowers like dahlias and berries, finishing with a gold raffia bow for an elegant, festive look.
Leaf Mason Jar Labels
Decorate Mason jars with leaf-shaped labels for an inviting Thanksgiving display. Use vintage map paper or craft leaves, attach them to twine, and wrap around the jars. Fill the jars with leftovers, or use them as a stylish takeaway gift for guests.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Craft Idea
Make a stunning DIY centerpiece by filling a hollowed-out pumpkin with floral foam and seasonal flowers. This vibrant arrangement can be customized with blooms and greenery that suit your personal style, adding a fresh, colorful touch to your table.
Chalkboard Tray Greeting
Welcome guests with a personalized fall message using a chalkboard tray. Paint the inside of an old tray with chalkboard paint, allowing it to dry completely. Write a warm greeting or seasonal message, then add fall elements like branches and bittersweet berries around the edges. This piece can easily transition to winter decor by swapping in evergreen branches.
Box Grater Luminaries
Create cozy lighting with a rustic touch using box grater luminaries. Arrange multiple vintage box graters on a tray, placing flameless flickering LED candles inside each one. The light shining through the grater holes creates a unique, warm glow perfect for a sideboard or mantel display.
Gilded Fruit Centerpiece
Add elegance to your table with gilded artificial pomegranates. Insert skewers into each pomegranate, brush on adhesive, and apply sheets of copper leaf until fully covered. Once dry, display them on a tray, in a bowl, or on a cake stand as a stunning centerpiece that will last throughout the season.
Paper Place Mat Setting
Make unique, decorative place mats using kraft paper and a decorative edge punch. Cut kraft paper into place mat-sized rectangles, then punch a lace-like border around each side. Add a simple corncob stamp on linen napkins to match, and complete the place setting with rosemary sprigs on kraft paper tags.
Bleached Pinecone Ornaments
Lighten up fall decor with bleached pinecones, which add a softer, rustic look to your setting. Soak pinecones in a bleach-water mixture for 24 hours, then rinse and let them dry until they open. Hang these pinecones from a chandelier with velvet ribbons in fall colors to add elegance to your home.
Moss and Mini Pumpkin Wreath
Add texture to your door decor with a wreath combining different types of moss and small white pumpkins. Begin by covering a foam wreath base with clumps of Spanish moss, preserved forest moss, and lichen using hot glue. Attach moss and lichen around mini pumpkin stems, then secure them with floral pins.
Cozy Blanket Pouf
Treat guests to a comfy spot with a homemade pouf crafted from an old wool blanket. Cut the blanket into squares, sew them into a cube shape, and stuff with shredded memory foam for a soft finish. Add a decorative stitch along the edges for an extra cozy look.
Feathered Pumpkin Centerpiece
Create an eye-catching table display with feathered pumpkins. Start with a tall gourd like Hubbard squash, hollow it out, and insert floral foam for stability. Adorn with feathers, flowers, and foliage to add a soft, natural feel to your tablescape.
Wheat and Bead Wreath
Perfect for greeting guests, a wheat and bead wreath showcases fall’s natural beauty. Bundle wheat with floral wire, attaching it to a beaded wreath form in layers. A jute ribbon covers the final layer of wire and adds a finishing touch.
Apple Place Card
Use fresh apples as place cards for your Thanksgiving table. Cut a leaf shape from green craft paper, write each guest’s name, and secure it to the apple stem. This charming detail adds a pop of color and makes each guest feel welcomed.
Braided Rope Wreath
Create a natural-looking braided rope wreath that complements any decor style. Wrap a wreath form in jute rope, braid additional lengths, and attach with hot glue. Finish with an oversized bow made of jute webbing for a rustic effect..
Thanksgiving Floral Tower
A stunning floral tower made from stacked pumpkins and fall blooms serves as a beautiful centerpiece. Stack three pumpkins, secure them with skewers, and use floral foam to attach seasonal flowers around each tier.
Felt Flower Wreath
Add seasonal charm with a felt flower wreath in autumn hues. You can either make or buy felt flowers and leaves, arranging them on a grapevine wreath base. Attach with hot glue and hang the wreath with a ribbon for a festive entryway touch.
Wheat Wreath
For a textured, natural look, create a wreath from two varieties of dried wheat. Start by attaching wheat pieces around a wooden wreath base, layering them as you go. This easy yet elegant design fits perfectly into a cozy Thanksgiving decor theme.
Leaf Etched Pumpkins
Create beautiful fall-inspired pumpkins by etching leaf patterns onto their surfaces. Use a thin cutting tool to outline leaves on the pumpkin, then carve within the outlines to expose the inner flesh, creating a delicate contrast.
Photo Display Cloches
Capture memories by displaying family photos in glass cloches. Use vintage flower holders or fashion your own with craft wire to secure the photos, then place them in cloches. Surround with natural elements like pinecones and moss for a warm, nostalgic effect.
Transferware Plates and Pumpkin Display
Transferware-inspired pumpkins make for a unique display. Start by making color copies of your favorite patterned plates. Cut the copies into strips and apply them to a pumpkin using Mod Podge for a charming, vintage look.
Decoupaged Plates
Celebrate family by turning vintage photos into beautiful decoupage plates. Attach photos to plate rims with Mod Podge for a keepsake look that’s perfect for a Thanksgiving gathering.
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Celebrate family by turning vintage photos into beautiful decoupage plates. Attach photos to plate rims with Mod Podge for a keepsake look that’s perfect for a Thanksgiving gathering.
Pumpkins Nestled in Glass Cloches
Display mini pumpkins under glass cloches for a charming, contained fall setup. Turn each cloche upside down, fill with small pumpkins, and cover with the base. You can also use cutting boards or cake stands as bases for an elegant, rustic look.
Vintage boppin and Spool Pumpkin Perch
For a quick and easy centerpiece, perch small pumpkins on top of vintage wooden spools and bobbins. This adds instant charm and a bit of vintage flair to any table or mantel.
“Face” Cards
Give guests a nostalgic walk down memory lane with personalized photo place cards. Use a fine-tooth saw to cut a shallow groove in the top of a wooden spool, then insert a small photo for a thoughtful touch at each place setting.
Storied Stirrers
Craft custom drink stirrers using vintage family photos. Print small copies of the photos, trim, and wrap them around drink picks, securing with double-sided tape or hot glue. These fun additions add a personalized touch to holiday cocktails.
Colander Stack
For a tiered Thanksgiving centerpiece, stack colanders filled with mini pumpkins and bittersweet. Place floral foam in the bottom and middle colanders to secure each layer, filling gaps with small decorative elements for a full, inviting look.
DIY Rope Cornucopia
Form a rustic cornucopia using manila or jute rope. Bend one end of a long rope piece into a folded shape, then wrap it around itself, gluing as you go to create a cone. Fill with seasonal produce like apples, grapes, and pomegranates for a natural and stunning display.
Fiery Flowers Centerpiece
Break from traditional autumn colors with vibrant red and yellow blooms. Use a vintage container, add your flowers, then mix in fall leaves, berries, and magnolia leaves. Start with sturdier pieces to create a base, layering in softer elements to complete the look.
Fabric Pumpkin Centerpiece
Make adorable fabric pumpkins using quilt scraps or old fabric. Gather a piece of fabric around a ball of batting, securing it at the top, then add a real or faux pumpkin stem. Line these along a table runner for a cozy, homemade look.
Grainsack Patchwork Runner
For a farmhouse-style table runner, cut squares from vintage grain sacks and assorted fabrics, then sew them together in a patchwork pattern. Fringe the edges for a rustic touch, and let this runner be the foundation for your Thanksgiving tablescape.
Leaf & Pinecone Napkin Rings
Craft napkin rings by cutting leaf shapes from fabric scraps and pairing them with gold-painted mini pinecones. Use leather cording to tie them around napkins, adding a sophisticated yet earthy detail to each place setting.
Plaid and Wood Table Setting
For a cozy, rustic table setting, start by cutting placemats from a vintage wool blanket. Drill holes in nuts, threading them with wire or twine to make unique napkin rings. Finally, add personal place cards by writing each guest’s name on vintage or new wooden spoons, creating a warm and welcoming setup.
Mini Pumpkin and Nut Topiaries Centerpiece
Line the center of your table with charming pumpkin and nut topiaries. To create the nut topiaries, spray-paint Styrofoam balls brown, then hot glue nuts like walnuts and hazelnuts onto the balls in neat rows. For the pumpkin topiaries, remove stems and stack the pumpkins, securing them with skewers or toothpicks. Place each topiary in a base, covering the foam with moss for a natural finish.
Felt Pie-Slice Garland
Add a playful touch to your dining area with a garland of felt pie slices. Cut out triangles from brown, orange, and burgundy felt, adding a strip of rickrack to mimic crust. Glue a small button “dollop” on each slice and attach the triangles to a length of twine for hanging.
Spin-the-Pie Game
Make a Thanksgiving game by segmenting a paper plate into sections labeled with categories like “Family,” “Friends,” and “Pets.” Cut a smaller, colorful paper circle with one slice removed and attach it with a brad so guests can spin to reveal different prompts. Attach a rope to the rim with hot glue, adding stenciled letters for a finished look.
Fall Themed Porch Decor
Welcome guests with a cozy porch setup. Arrange mini pumpkins, gourds, magnolia leaves, and bittersweet vines in a tobacco basket or similar container. Add a few wood logs and large pumpkins to create an inviting, seasonal entryway.
Trim Decor Pumpkin
For a unique pumpkin decoration, use lengths of sewing trim. Glue pieces of trim along the natural grooves of the pumpkin, creating a striped effect with a simple, elegant finish.
Mix-and-Match Plaid Table Setting
Layer various plaid patterns in autumnal colors for a playful table setting. Use embroidery hoops with plaid-covered pumpkins as place cards and layer different checked cloths. Mixing patterns in coordinating fall hues keeps the look cohesive and festive.
Ombre Pumpkin Centerpiece
For a modern take on fall decor, paint small white pumpkins in shades of red and pink, arranging them in an ombre gradient down the center of the table. Add a few single flowers in bud vases to soften the look with a hint of floral charm.
Pumpkin and Gourd Table Runner
Create a table runner with a natural touch by lining the table with eucalyptus branches, small pumpkins, and gourds. For a warm glow, place votive candles in golden glass holders throughout the arrangement.
Painted Pumpkins
Add a delicate, artistic touch to your table by lightly painting pumpkins with off-white acrylic paint, letting brushstrokes show for a subtle textured effect. This adds a simple, rustic element to any tablescape.
Mini Orange Pumpkin Place Card
Turn mini pumpkins into adorable place cards by writing each guest’s name on torn card stock. Attach the card with a gold push pin to the top of each pumpkin for a refined yet charming detail at each place setting.
Leaf Place Card and Acorn Napkin Ring
Bring the beauty of nature to the table with a leaf and acorn theme. Hot glue acorns to waxed twine to create napkin rings and add a hint of gold leaf to preserved maple leaves. Personalize each leaf with guests’ initials using a gold paint pen for an elegant touch.
Embroidered Table Runner
For a truly unique piece, make an embroidered table runner where guests can sign their names with a disappearing pen. After Thanksgiving, stitch over each signature to create a lasting keepsake that commemorates your gatherings.
Cinnamon Stick Placecard Holder
Bring the warm scent of cinnamon to your table with place card holders made from cinnamon sticks. Wrap each end with red twine, and slip a name card into the natural crevice of each stick for a simple, fragrant addition to your table setting.
Button Napkin RIng
Add a charming, rustic touch to each place setting with button napkin rings. Use wooden buttons or small wood rounds, drill holes if necessary, and thread with white twine to tie around napkins. This neutral-toned accent complements any fall decor.
Pine Cone Wreath
Craft a pinecone wreath using items from your yard for an easy DIY project. Start by wrapping a 16-inch wreath form with burlap, creating a loop for hanging. Paint the tips of the pinecones in fall colors like orange, yellow, and beige. Attach each pinecone to the wreath form with floral wire, layering them around for a full, textured look.