In my family, we all have specific roles to play on Thanksgiving. My mom wakes up early to get the turkey in the oven, and my sister joins in to bake her signature pecan pie. My dad plays football with my cousins out in the yard, and I focus on designing and setting the Thanksgiving table. It’s the one time of year that I always create place cards so everyone knows where to sit, and I love incorporating a fun activity that sparks conversation around the table.
But during such a crazy time of year, any DIY projects I attempt have to be simple enough to throw together on the day-of.
Scroll down to see which Thanksgiving table ideas made the cut this year, and let us know if you’re considering giving any of them a try. I’m leaning towards the wooden cutting board chargers, mini loaves of bread, and pie to-go boxes!
Bring the outside in by adding branches and dried flowers from your garden onto the tablescape like Camille Styles.
Use a wooden cutting board as a charger, via Becki Owens.
Set wheat bundles in glass cloches for a simple centerpiece, via Country Living.
Print out these punchy paper goods that include everything you need for a Friendsgiving feast, via The House That Lars Built.
Make your guests feel special by setting each place setting with metallic flatware, via Lindsey Brunk.
All you need is a white paint marker and kraft paper to make this personalized placemat, via Country Living.
Honor everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition with this Macy’s Day Parade tablescape, via The House That Lars Built.
These rosemary wreath place cards are one of our most pinned DIYs ever, via Camille Styles.
Set out a pencil and these “I’m Thankful For…” cards as a fun activity for your guests, via Bless’er House.
A fresh loaf of bread at each place setting is a warm way to welcome guests to your home for the holidays, via Ella Claire.
Add a pop of color to your table by nesting clementines into your centerpiece, via Brit & Co.
Who says hot pink isn’t a Thanksgiving color? Create these neon pinecone placecards in one simple step, via Camille Styles.
This printable menu is completely customizable so all you have to do is list out what you’ll be serving up and print, via Almost Makes Perfect.
Attach name cards to mini floral arrangements for the prettiest place settings, via Country Living.
Tie a napkin together with a cinnamon stick and a sprig of greenery for a festive fall detail, via Hey Wedding Lady.
Send guests home with a piece of pie in these adorable to-go pie boxes, via The Merry Thought.
These cloth napkins feature a plaid patch of fabric for the coziest tabletop detail, via Martha Stewart.
Gather a few leaves from your backyard and paint them with gold leaf to create a modern, organic place card, via Lark & Linen.
While you’re at it, grab some acorns and attach them to a pretty ribbon for a backyard harvest napkin, via Martha Stewart.
Make a centerpiece that’ll last forever by filling a faux pumpkin with silk flowers and berry branches, via A Pumpkin & A Princess.
Apples, pillar candles, and some eucalyptus leaves are all you need to create this minimalist table runner, via Julie Blanner.
