Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the season than by crafting fun and easy decorations? Whether you’re looking for ways to get the whole family involved or just want to add a personal touch to your festive setup, these Thanksgiving crafts will bring joy, creativity, and a sprinkle of autumnal charm to your home.
From DIY centerpieces and creative table settings to delightful crafts for kids, this guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions for simple yet beautiful projects. Gather your supplies, bring out your crafty spirit, and let’s get started!
Why Make Your Own Thanksgiving Crafts?
Crafting isn’t just about creating something beautiful; it’s about making meaningful connections and memories with loved ones. Plus, by creating your own decorations, you can:
- Save money by using materials you already have at home.
- Personalize your Thanksgiving decor based on your style.
- Reduce waste by repurposing materials like jars, paper, and twigs.
- Enjoy a relaxing and fun creative outlet during the busy holiday season.
Thanksgiving Crafts for Your Tablescape
Your dining table is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving celebrations. With these crafts, you can wow your guests with effortless yet stunning handmade additions.
DIY Thankful Jar Centerpiece
This simple yet heartfelt craft doubles as a beautiful centerpiece and a conversation starter.
What You’ll Need:
- A large jar or vase
- Twine or ribbon
- Small cut-out leaves (in fall colors like orange, yellow, and red)
- A marker
- Fairy lights (optional)
- Instructions:
- Decorate your jar with a bow made of twine or ribbon.
- Hand out the leaf cut-outs to your family, and ask them to write down something they’re thankful for.
- Collect the leaves in the jar. For added glow, place fairy lights inside.
- Display the jar at the center of your table!
This craft reminds everyone of the spirit of Thanksgiving while doubling as an eye-catching piece.
Rustic Pumpkin Placeholders
Personalized placeholders add charm to any table and make your guests feel special.
What You’ll Need:
- Mini pumpkins (real or faux)
- Cardstock
- Black marker
- Hot glue (optional)
- Instructions:
- Write the name of each guest on a small piece of cardstock.
- Cut the cardstock into decorative shapes, like leaves or banners.
- Attach each card to the stem of a pumpkin with hot glue (or wedge it under the stem if using real pumpkins).
- Place the pumpkins on each guest’s plate.
These adorable placeholders tie the fall theme together while keeping things personal and fun.
Crafts to Decorate Your Space
Bring Thanksgiving to life in every corner of your home with festive decorations you can easily create.
Handprint Turkey Banner (Perfect for Kids)
This is a classic kids’ project that doubles as a heartwarming decoration.
What You’ll Need:
- Construction paper in assorted colors
- Scissors
- Glue
- A piece of twine or yarn
- Clothespins
- Instructions:
- Trace your child’s hand onto pieces of construction paper and cut them out.
- Decorate each handprint as a turkey by adding construction paper feathers, beaks, and googly eyes.
- String a piece of twine or yarn across your mantel or wall.
- Use clothespins to attach the turkey handprints to the string.
This cheerful banner brings rustic coziness to your decor and makes a great memory piece for years to come.
Corn Husk Wreath
Give your front door a festive touch with this easy-to-make wreath.
What You’ll Need:
- A foam wreath base
- Corn husks (available at craft stores)
- Hot glue
- Ribbon
- Instructions:
- Layer the corn husks around the foam wreath base, gluing them in place to create a pattern or overlap.
- Add a fall-colored ribbon as a finishing touch by tying it into a bow at the top or bottom of the wreath.
- Hang your wreath on your door and enjoy the instant seasonal charm.
Kids Thanksgiving Crafts
Keep little ones entertained with these fun and easy Thanksgiving activities.
Paper Plate Turkeys
A craft classic that’s simple and always a hit with kids.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper plates
- Construction paper in fall colors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- Googly eyes
- Instructions:
- Cut out feathers from the construction paper.
- Decorate the outer rim of the paper plate with the feathers using glue.
- Draw or glue a turkey face (googly eyes, beak, wattle) in the center of the plate.
- Encourage kids to get creative with colors!
Popsicle Stick Scarecrows
Kids will love making these cute decorations!
What You’ll Need:
- Popsicle sticks
- Paint
- Glue
- Googly eyes
- Small pieces of felt or straw
- Instructions:
- Paint popsicle sticks to create the scarecrow’s face and hat.
- Use felt or straw to embellish the hat and add hair.
- Glue on googly eyes and paint a smiling scarecrow face.
- Display these playful creations around your home.
Fun Fall-Themed Food Crafts
Edible crafts are an excellent way to combine creativity with snacks!
Candy Corn Turkeys
What You’ll Need:
- Large marshmallows
- Candy corn
- Pretzel sticks
- Melted chocolate
- Instructions:
- Push candy corn into the sides of a marshmallow to form feathers.
- Stick two pretzels into the base of the marshmallow to create legs.
- Use melted chocolate to attach candy corn as the turkey’s beak and eyes.
- Serve these little treats as fun dessert snacks!
Cookie Cutter Leaf Cookies
What You’ll Need:
- Pre-made cookie dough
- Leaf-shaped cookie cutters
- Icing in fall colors
- Instructions:
- Roll out the cookie dough and cut out leaf shapes.
- Bake according to package instructions.
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing in vibrant fall colors.
Putting It All Together
Thanksgiving crafts can range from simple and quick to intricate and involved, but they all share one thing in common—bringing a festive, homemade feel to your holiday. These projects allow you to express creativity, bond with loved ones, and fill your home with warmth.
Whether you’re decorating your Thanksgiving table with rustic placeholders or adorning your walls with handprint turkeys, these crafts will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Plus, they’re a beautiful reminder of what the season is all about.
Happy crafting, and most importantly, Happy Thanksgiving!
