How to Create Beautiful Thanksgiving Decor on a Budget

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Thanksgiving is coming up fast here in Canada! I love everything about it. I love the cozy feeling of fall and gathering with family, friends, and guests to celebrate everything we’re thankful for. The kids are back in school. We have a routine again. The air is a little cooler, the sun has a different warmth, and the world starts to show us its autumnal beauty. And of course, we can’t forget it’s the start of all things pumpkin!

Free Printable Bread Wrappers for Your Thanksgiving Table

In this Thanksgiving decor on a budget roundup, we’ll look at all things, well, fall. I’ve got some DIY Thanksgiving decorations, fall wreaths, tablescapes, Thanksgiving centerpieces, a pillow, and some dollar store must-haves. I’m also sharing my favourite craft: the thankful tree.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Let’s begin with Thanksgiving tablescape ideas! This is the season for hosting large family gatherings, after all. But even if you are planning on having a small meal with just immediate family, you can make your table special all the same!

Neutral nature inspired Thanksgiving table idea with antler shed, candles, baby white pumpkins, and a eucalyptus garland.

Nature Inspired Thanksgiving Table

If you like natural decor in neutral shades, you’ll love this simple Thanksgiving tablescape idea that’s so easy to create! For this tablescape, I decided not to use a tablecloth or table runner,  which allowed me to show off our table’s gorgeous, textured wood. The table centerpiece is a handmade faux eucalyptus garland. I accented it with simple white pillar candles, white baby boo pumpkins, ornamental kale for greenery, and antler sheds my friend gave to me. In keeping with this simple, neutral & nature-inspired theme, I used white rustic chargers and neutral plates for each place setting.

Natural and cozy fall Thanksgiving table setting idea with fall leaves, and a small wooden box filled with tiny pumpkins.

Cozy and Natural Thanksgiving Table Setting

You don’t need to spend a lot of time & money to make a beautiful-looking table setting for Thanksgiving! In fact, the inspiration for this table setting came from the great outdoors. We harvested lots of cute little baby pumpkins from our pumpkin patch, and I came across these gorgeous copper-coloured fall oak leaves on the ground. They really tied in with the copper accents I already had in our fall decor. (You could also use gourds in place of pumpkins for a slightly different look.)  Come find out how easy it is to decorate with all that nature has to offer.

Fall and Thanksgiving decorating ideas for the kitchen and dining table with a macrame table runner and simple striped linen napkins.

Simple Thanksgiving Table & Kitchen Decor Ideas

If you are planning a smaller Thanksgiving celebration this year but still want to make your table and kitchen feel special for the holiday, come and check out my simple Thanksgiving table and kitchen decor. I used a variety of different coloured pumpkins, natural accents, and pops of orange and green. I even used some inexpensive dishtowels for napkins!

Elegant, romantic Thanksgiving tablescape idea for 12 in whites, creams and a mix and match style.

An Elegant Thanksgiving Table for 12 in Whites & Creams

Thanksgiving table settings don’t always have to be orange, brown, or red! You can also prepare an elegant Thanksgiving table for 12 in romantic whites and creams. Mixing and matching different elements can be a great way to keep your Thanksgiving tablescape budget-friendly and of course truly unique! I started with some inexpensive white roses from Costco. The roses and the white pumpkins I already purchased earlier in the season were the inspiration for this creamy coloured table setting. I added rattan and gold chargers, simple white plates, wine glasses, and silver flatware to complete the neutral, calming effect I was going for.

Bread wrappers for your Thanksgiving table with a sage stem.

Free Printable Bread Wrappers for Thanksgiving

A little detail that I love for this Thanksgiving table setting is the little bread wrappers that I created with the words “blessed”, “thankful”, “grateful” and “gather” on them. They were really quick to make, and they’re an easy way to spruce up your Thanksgiving table. I used a pretty, handwritten-looking font and a creamy canvas background because keeping them neutral makes them easy to match with many different table decor styles and colours. You could even use them as place cards for your guests! Download the template and print your wrappers out today!

Fall Centerpiece Ideas That Are Perfect for Thanksgiving

Maybe you don’t have it in you to plan an entire tablescape this year and just need a simple centerpiece to dress up your table. Or maybe you need something to decorate a sideboard, buffet, or coffee table. These easy and budget friendly centerpiece ideas are perfect for adding a little pop of fall to any room in your house!

A centerpiece made from a dough bowl, faux mini pumpkins, leaves, and moss.

DIY Dough Bowl Fall Centerpiece

This beautiful DIY Fall centerpiece not only looks lovely, but it takes less than 15 minutes to make! Use a dough bowl, some faux fall leaves (or maybe real ones from your backyard), pumpkins, and moss to create this seasonal table decor to decorate your home for autumn.

Dried flowers stick straight up out of a piece of lumber.

Gorgeous DIY Table Centerpiece with Dried Flowers

If you’re looking for a unique but stunning DIY table centerpiece to craft this season,  you need to give this dried floral version a try! It’s a lot of fun to make, it’s budget-friendly, and it doesn’t require much skill. All you need is a selection of dried florals in colours you love, a scrap piece of lumber, and a drill!

Four small pumpkins decorated with pressed flowers sit atop two baskets.

Make a DIY Pressed Flower Pumpkin

Autumn is here, and with it comes the joy of fall decorating! One of the most delightful and unique ways to bring a touch of elegance to your seasonal decor is by creating DIY pressed flower pumpkins. These charming pumpkins are not only easy to make but also serve as a beautiful centerpiece for your home. All you need is:

  • Fresh pumpkins (real or faux, your choice)
  • Pressed flowers
  • Matte Mod Podge
  • A brush

I think you’ll love this fun, budget-friendly project with a lovely bohemian feel that’s perfect for a fall crafting project!  

A pumpkin is topped with faux succulents and moss to create budget-friendly Thanksgiving decor.

Make a Stunning Faux Succulent Pumpkin DIY Centerpiece

If you’re a fan of succulents and pumpkins, you’ll love this DIY project that combines the two in a beautiful way! So, grab your crafting supplies and get ready to make a stunning faux succulent pumpkin DIY centerpiece. All you’ll need is a pumpkin (real or faux), dollar store faux moss, faux succulents, and a glue gun! Nothing could be easier.

Other DIY Crafts for Decor this Season

Tables are not the only thing we can decorate for the Thanksgiving season! Whether you’re looking for a DIY blanket, simple wreath ideas, or a way to practice thankfulness with your kids, you will find what you need right here.

A simple wreath made with a grapevine wreath form, and different sizes of pinecones.

Simple DIY Pinecone Wreath for Fall or Winter

Fall and winter are the perfect seasons to bring the outdoors inside. There’s something so perfectly rustic and timeless about using pinecones on a wreath, and this simple cone wreath is SO easy to make. Let me show you how to make this DIY Fall pinecone wreath using a grapevine wreath base, various sizes of pinecones, and a quick dry-brushing paint technique to give it a lot of dimension.

A cozy plaid throw pillow made from a scarf on a sofa.

DIY Cozy Plaid Fall Pillow from a Dollar Store Scarf

Fall just screams plaid, don’t you think? Let me show you how you can make a beautiful plaid pillow out of a simple dollar store scarf. This simple sewing project is so much fun to make! It comes together really quickly and it’s easy to customize for any decor.  I decided to make my pillow from a scarf that has warm browns and a hint of green, keeping with my fall theme.  But really the possibilities are endless. I think a scarf with reds and greens would be a great addition to any Christmas decor too!  

Branches with paper leaves to write what you are thankful for.

Make a Thankful Tree: A Thanksgiving Kid’s Craft

Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays, and not just because of the pumpkin pie and turkey (which I always look forward to). I love Thanksgiving because it forces me to pause, reflect, and remember the blessings we’ve been given. We made this easy “thankful tree” with a branch found in our yard, some construction paper, a glue gun, and a pot & rocks to hold it all together (a large vase would work too). Find out how to make your own and practice thankfulness with your family this year!

A tall clear vase with ribbon on the bottom is filled with fairy lights.

5 Rustic Decor Dollar Store DIYs for Fall

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to decorate your home for Thanksgiving! Here are some simple & beautiful rustic fall DIY decor ideas you can make with items from the dollar store. From a rustic wreath to a beautiful candle or fairy light luminary, there’s something for everyone!

A rustic fall wreath with fairy lights, burlap leaves, and pumpkins.

$7 Fall DIY Dollar Tree Wreath (with Fairy Lights!)

There is nothing I love more than hanging a wreath on my door or in my home over the holidays to make it feel cheery and welcoming. This budget-friendly Dollar Tree wreath really comes to life with the addition of fairy lights (available from your local craft store) and a cute burlap pumpkin. Get the full tutorial and make yours today!

A cozy hand-knit chunky blanket on a sofa.

Knit a Chunky Blanket: No Needles Required!

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, there’s nothing better than snuggling up under a warm and cozy blanket. But what’s even better than that? A chunky knit blanket that you made yourself! And the best part is, you don’t need any knitting needles to make one. That’s right, even if you’re a beginner, you can watch my tutorial and make a beautiful, chunky knit blanket using your fingers in no time!

A copper pot with apple peels, orange peels, cloves, cinnamon, and water.

Easy Simmer Pot Recipes to Make Your Home Smell Amazing!

Also known as stovetop potpourri, a simmer pot is an easy and inexpensive way to make your home smell amazing. Just put a shallow pot of water on the stove, add a few other ingredients, and then let the pot simmer for a few hours. During the fall, I love this recipe:

  • 2 cups water
  • Peels from one orange
  • Peels from one apple
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla or vanilla extract

 Visit the post for other ideas to bring the scents of the season to your home using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

A tray with a candle, a small pumpkin, a clear vase with tiny pumpkins, pinecones, and fairy lights, and a larger vase with fall leaf stems.

10 Dollar Tree DIY Fall Decor Ideas

Fall is the perfect season to get creative and cozy up your home with some DIY decor. And guess what? You don’t need to break the bank to make your space look stunningly festive. Dollar Tree has many fantastic seasonal items that are just waiting for your creativity. Whether it’s a wood beads and burlap oak leaves garland, a cottagecore faux pumpkin makeover tutorial, or a fall tablescape with plaid tea towels, I’ve got you covered! Visit the post and decide which of the 10 ideas is your favourite!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and I hope that I have inspired you to create a beautiful fall-themed space on a budget this season. What idea are you most excited about? Tell me in the comments or tag me @thediymommy with your DIY fall decor creations!

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Pumpkin centerpieces, bread wrappers, wreaths, and Thanksgiving table decor.

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