Inexpensive– By using items already around the house, including natural elements found outside, this costs next to nothing to put together.
Minimal Supplies– A wood board, pinecone garland, dried hydrangeas, dried leaves, pinecones, mini pumpkins/gourds, candlesticks/candles are what I used for the centerpiece.
Fun to assemble– Layering the collected items is a simple and whimsical way to decorate the table.
Fun Family Project– This would be a fun activity to get the kids involved, having them fill baskets outside with Autumnal treasures.
Thanksgiving is exactly a week away as I sit down to write this post. My mind has been thinking about Autumnal tablescapes for the last few days. This year, I yearn for a simple design that can be thrown together with items already around our house. My challenge for myself is to put this together without buying anything new.
As I look around our home and property, I am inspired to put this together a week before our family gathers. When the mood strikes and the creative juices flow, I have learned to run with it. So here we go…
Truthfully, my thoughts pertaining to decorating are dominated mostly with Christmas. Every year I force myself to embrace Thanksgiving and the simple beauty of this special holiday, before rushing into Christmas. Assuredly, as soon as the dishes are done and the company leaves, the Christmas bins come out.
Assembling the centerpiece a week before the big day allows me to enjoy the look longer, rather than enjoying it for just one day. Afterall, we have other tables to eat and work at.
As I began to ponder this project, I soon realized I could put this together without purchasing anything new. I get inspired by “shopping my house” and taking items I have had for years and decorating with them in new, fresh ways.
The wooden board, pinecone garland and brass candlesticks are items I have had for years. My dad recently gifted me with a box of white candles that have been in his closet for years.
As far as the natural items go, everything was collected from our backyard. The exception is the small pumpkins/gourds, which were purchased early October from Walmart for around $5.
As mentioned previously, minimal supplies are needed to throw this look together. A wood board, twig garland (sticks collected could work too), and candlesticks/candles are what I found lying around the house.
I used hydrangeas and leaves dried earlier in the season along with pinecones that grace our ground each fall. Add in some mini pumpkins and the look is complete!
Layering the collected items step by step is a fun and creative way to decorate the Thanksgiving table. It is rewarding to watch this come together in minutes and develop into a full and beautiful natural display.
Last, but not least, this could absolutely turn into a fun, family project. I put this together when my college age sons were at college and the house was quiet.
However, I could easily imagine children with pails in hand, running around the yard collecting fall treasures. Collecting and pressing fall leaves, picking up pinecones and sticks etc are great ways to encourage kids to embrace the beauty of the fall season.
7 easy steps for fall centerpiece
- Clean the table and lay down a wood board in the center.
- Place store bought or handmade garland on wood board.
- Position candlesticks in the garland. Symmetry is key!
- Carefully tuck in dried hydrangeas.
- Place dried leaves around the base of the board, draping over edges.
- Fill in the display with mini pumpkins and gourds.
- Place pinecones where needed to fill in the space.
I hope this inspires you to take a walk outside and gather what nature has already provided. Do you decorate early? Or wait until the day of? I’d love to hear!