16 DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

Every year, Thanksgiving sneaks up on me the same way—one minute I’m enjoying fall weather, and the next I’m scrambling to make the house feel festive before guests arrive.

But over time I realized something: the decorations that make the biggest impact aren’t the expensive store-bought ones. They’re the DIY touches that feel personal, warm, and a little bit handmade.

If you love the idea of decorating with charm instead of clutter, you’ll enjoy this list. These 16 DIY Thanksgiving decorations are easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for bringing that cozy, welcoming fall feeling into your home. Let’s start crafting.

Popular Thanksgiving Decorations

1. Table Decor

It’s funny how a row of pumpkins and glowing candles can instantly shift a whole room’s mood, but this tablescape totally does that. The mix of warm colors, soft light, and layered textures feels cozy without trying. If you recreate it, play with different pumpkin sizes and candle heights. It brings that relaxed, holiday-evening charm effortlessly.

2. For Kids

I love how this wreath turns gratitude into something kids can literally see and touch. Each brightly colored leaf carries a little reminder of what they appreciate, making the craft sweet and meaningful. It’s great for classrooms or cozy family time. Just cut leaf shapes, write one thankful thing per leaf, and glue them together—it becomes such a cute memory.

3. Easy Cleanup Table Cover

The moment I saw the hand-painted kraft-paper table cover, I thought, “Why don’t we all do this every year?” It’s festive, colorful, and you just roll it up when dinner’s done—zero cleanup stress. Perfect for big families or busy hosts. Lay down kraft paper, paint simple pumpkins or leaves, and match it with paper plates for an easy, charming setup.

4. Monogrammed Fall Porch

There’s something so welcoming about a porch that greets you with pumpkins, fall florals, and a little hand-painted monogram. It feels personal in the sweetest way. This setup mixes textures—gourds, berries, greenery—to build depth without crowding the space. Grab a few pumpkins, bundle in faux florals, and add an initial on one pumpkin for that cozy, custom touch.

5. Dollar Tree Decor

I’m always surprised by how polished Dollar Tree projects can look, and this centerpiece proves it. Neutral pumpkins, fall leaves, and a wooden tray turn into this warm, layered arrangement that feels way more expensive than it is. Just mix different pumpkin finishes, stack in leaves for fullness, and set everything in a long tray. It’s budget-friendly without looking budget.

6. Cozy Fall Front Porch Display

The little scarecrow leaning against hay bales instantly made me smile—it’s such a classic fall moment. Pumpkins, florals, and that “Gather Together” sign create a sweet, lived-in porch vibe. It’s simple but so inviting. Stack hay bales for height, scatter pumpkins around them, and fill the empty spots with faux leaves or mums to make it feel full.

7. Fall Themed

I didn’t expect this tablescape to feel so calming, but the mix of tiny pumpkins and soft candlelight is such a vibe. Everything flows down the center like a little fall story. If you try it, grab pumpkins in mixed sizes, tuck in cotton stems, and let the candles do the work. Dim the lights—instant Thanksgiving magic.

8. For Friends

I swear this Friendsgiving setup feels like walking straight into the coziest fall party ever. The balloon arch makes the whole room feel playful, while the candlelit pumpkin centerpiece brings that deeper, autumn warmth. It’s such a fun mix of festive and intimate. If you recreate it, cluster pumpkins in different colors and let the candles soften everything with that perfect glow.

9. Table Centerpiece

The second I saw these gold pumpkins, my brain went straight to “luxury Thanksgiving, but make it easy.” They shine without looking over the top, especially with the pinecones and tiny gold accents running down the burlap runner. It’s such a cool mix of rustic and glam. If you try this, spray-paint real or faux pumpkins gold—it instantly elevates everything.

10. Autumn Feast

The first thing I thought when I saw this setup was, “Okay, this is the kind of Friendsgiving where nobody leaves hungry.” The whole counter turns into a fall buffet with candles, layered trays, and pops of orange everywhere. It feels festive without being stuffy. If you recreate it, mix levels—tall candles, low bowls, stacked platters—to make everything look abundant and inviting.

11. Paper Decor

I can’t even explain how happy this little pinecone turkey makes me—it’s just pure Thanksgiving cuteness. The bright paper feathers pop so well against the natural pinecone, and kids get obsessed with making them. It’s the perfect craft to keep everyone busy before dinner. Just grab pinecones, cut colorful feathers, glue on googly eyes, and boom—instant table joy.

12. For Office

I laughed the second I saw this wall—it feels like a whole army of cheerful little turkeys hyping you up for Thanksgiving. The bright feather colors and goofy googly eyes make the space feel playful without being overwhelming. It’s such a cute office or classroom mood-booster. Just cut turkey shapes, mix feather colors, and scatter a few paper leaves for that fall-magic finish.

13. For Classroom

I couldn’t stop smiling at this bulletin board—it’s the kind of chaos-only-kids-can-create, and it’s adorable. The mix of goofy turkey bodies, bright feathers, and little photo faces gives the whole display so much personality. It’s such a fun classroom tradition. If you make your own, let the kids pick their feather colors—those wild combos are what make it unforgettable.

14. Wall Decor

The moment I saw this wall, it reminded me of how good it feels to pause and actually name the things we’re grateful for. Every colorful leaf adds its own little story, and together they turn the whole tree into this big, shared reminder of the good stuff. It’s so easy to recreate—cut simple leaves, add a paper trunk, and let everyone write their own thankful note.

15. Outside House

I love how this setup looks like someone stacked a few crates “just for now” and accidentally created the cutest fall corner ever. The pumpkins, lantern, and pops of red-orange leaves make the whole porch feel warm and lived-in. It’s super easy to recreate—grab wooden crates, mix real and faux pumpkins, add a hay bale, and tuck leaves anywhere you see a gap.

16. Beautiful Thanksgiving Decor

The first thing that grabbed my attention here was that leaf-wrapped chandelier—it feels like the whole ceiling decided to celebrate fall. The wheat-filled vases and little pumpkin dishes make the table feel cozy and intentional without being fussy. It’s such a homey, harvest vibe. If you recreate it, add dried stems for height and let the warm tones carry the whole look.

Final Words

I hope this list of DIY Thanksgiving decorations inspires you to create a cozy, festive home this holiday. Which idea do you like the most?

If you enjoyed this list, save this pin or bookmark this post so you can come back to it when you’re ready to decorate.