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75 DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces for an Elegant Table Display
Set the stage for a gracious gathering with a wow-worthy centerpiece.
Thanksgiving season is here! And while we're all about getting those Christmas decorations up early if that makes you happy, we also believe that Thanksgiving deserves its own special moment. So, as we're planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu and thinking about fun Thanksgiving kids table ideas, we're also spending time on the holiday's showstopper. No, not the roasted turkey: a beautiful DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece.
These extra touches will make guests feel like you've gone out of your way to create something special just for them. Much like the rest of the Thanksgiving quotes and Thanksgiving craft ideas we share, these handmade beauties come together quickly and easily. They're can also be inexpensive, rivaling the most gorgeous projects you've seen over on Pinterest, and at a fraction of the cost. Whether you want to use all the flowers available, opt for a gourd and pumpkin display, or use old family photos to up the nostalgia factor there are plenty ideas here to get you inspired. And because many of these ideas just scream fall there is no need to wait until the big day to put them on display. As soon as the weather turns chilly get that table decorated. That's just one of many things to be thankful for!
Match the Flowers to the Plate
The wispy nature of the branches on this beautiful pheasant plate are mimicked in the flowers, while the white pumpkins help pull it all together.
Layer Pinecones, Leaves, Fruit and Gourds
This centerpiece lets fall's bounty take centerstage, with a mix of fresh and dried fruit, pinecones, and autumn leaves. Extend the theme onto place setting by placing smaller leaves in the center of dinner plates.
Fill a Copper Pitcher
A seasonal flower arrangement takes center stage in a vintage copper pitcher.
Make a Cloche Display
Use vintage flower frogs to hold family photos upright, then place beneath glass cloches and bell jars. If your frog doesn’t have tines, fashion a holder by wrapping craft wire around a 3/4-inch dowel a few times, leaving a 1- to 2-inch tail that you insert into a hole of the flower frog. For a more organic feel, incorporate earthy elements such as moss, rocks, and pine cones.
Craft a Rope Cornucopia
Fashion a DIY cornucopia out of just 2 materials, rope and hot glue. For a striking display fill with monochromatic bounty such as red grapes and apples, and pomegranates.
To make: Fold the end of a long length of 3/4-inch manila or jute rope over on itself about 4 inches. Start wrapping the long length of rope around the folded piece, forming the cornucopia, arching it and making it wider as you work, holding everything together with hot glue. When you get to the desired size, do one last pass between and on top of the last two rows then add a circle of rope on the bottom to act as a base and keep it from rolling.
Layer in Chinese Lanterns
Beautiful Chinese lanterns take center stage in this floral arrangement. Combine the stems with leafy branches and fluffy marigolds in an antique pewter pitcher.
Arrange Wildflowers in a Pumpkin Vase
Gather a sweet grouping of wildflowers into a hollowed out pumpkin for an easy-but-show-stopping centerpiece. Place smaller gourds on guests' plates and accent the rest of the table with smaller arrangements housed in mercury glass bud vases.
Make Sophisticated Painted Pumpkins
Five minutes and done! Paint a green or tan heirloom pumpkin with off-white acrylic paint for an easy DIY distressed look.
Use a Vintage Vessel
A vintage blue-and-white transferware tureen stuffed full of white and yellow flowers, with hints of greenery, looks great on buffet or as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece. Bonus: Decoupage a white pumpkin with blue and white toile wallpaper (you can use color copies, too).
Add LED Lights to Leafy Garland
Add a bit of extra sparkle to the center of your table with LED lights, arranged in a garland of faux autumn leaves. Vary the height of the centerpiece by placing small pumpkins on pedestals throughout, then tie guests' napkins with a tag that reads "thankful" for a finishing touch.
Use a Copper Milk Can
A copper milk can filled with greens and berries makes a bold statement as a centerpiece. Add a few orange taper candles to the table and you are ready to celebrate!
Layer Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers & Candlesticks
Feather your table with these turkey-shaped salt and pepper shakers. Add fall-colored taper candles for a beautiful centerpiece.
Craft an Ombre Pumpkin Centerpiece
Paint small white pumpkins in differing shades of red and pink to create a lovely ombre effect down the center of the table. Add single maroon flowers in bud vases here and there for a light floral touch. Bonus: Wrap the ends of cinnamon sticks in red twine and slip place cards in the stick's natural crevice to create place cards.
Go Neutral and Sophisticated
Neutral tones, including whitewashed pumpkins and dried gourds, are layered on top of a smattering of green eucalyptus leaves to create this sophisticated, neutral-toned centerpiece. Bonus: Thread twine through wood buttons and use to tie up linen napkins.
Make Lace Pumpkins
Not just for wedding dresses! Hot glue lace and sewing trim on orange pumpkins and sprinkle them down the center of the table. Orange flower and bittersweet add a soft touch. Bonus: Form napkins into a bow shape and slip a gold napkin ring over the center.
Go Green
A scattering of green gourds and acorn squash laid down the center of the table and accented with orange and red flowers creates quite a pretty site. Bonus: Hot glue acorns to lengths of brown waxed twine and use to tie up rolled napkins. Apply gold leaf to a portion of a preserved maple leaf and use a gold paint pen to mark with guest's initials.
Add Layered Elements
A plain cotton or linen table runner gets a personal touch when embroidered with the names of family and friends who have attended Thanksgivings past. Display and array of colorful flowers in a vintage trophy and add a scattering of small pine cones and tea lights to complete the scene.
Add Height for Interest
Create visual interest easily with wood slabs. Just stack in a few underneath your fall flower arrangements and sprinkle some smaller pumpkins and nuts around for an even more layered look.
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