57 Easy Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas For Your Home in 2024

Looking for some easy Thanksgiving decoration ideas? Thanksgiving is often a forgotten holiday when it comes to decorating your home. While you may gleefully gather around the table for a celebratory meal, so much attention each autumn falls on Halloween decoration ideas for the spooky season, with November often feeling like an awkward month that still embraces fall while getting ready for winter and Christmas decorations. This can mean Thanksgiving decorations are often a missed opportunity or afterthought. 

How can I decorate for Thanksgiving? How do I decorate my Thanksgiving table on a budget? We’ve rounded up some great ideas that are as festive and fun as they are easy, allowing you to decorate everything from a simple traditional tablescape to outdoor decorations and cozy ways to make your home feel welcoming.

When should I start decorating for Thanksgiving? A great place to start is with multipurpose pieces that transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving or choose more glam accents that easily change from Thanksgiving to holiday decor.

Jump to Section 

• Traditional Thanksgiving Decorations
• Simple Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas
• Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas for the Living Room
• Thanksgiving Table Decor
• Outdoor Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas
• Creative & Unique Thanksgiving Decorations

Traditional Thanksgiving Decorations

1. Gourds

Gourds are one of the easiest and most plentiful inexpensive Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Most likely, they’ve already been in your home since September as part of your fall decor. Create a pile in a large bowl or basket for an easy centerpiece in their natural fall array of colors or paint them a shade that goes with your space like white or gold. 

2. Wreaths

A standard all year long, wreaths can make perfect traditional Thanksgiving decoration ideas, whether they're hanging on a door or above your mantle or used horizontally to surround centerpieces and candles. Great fall materials that speak to bounty and harvest include corn stalks, raffia, wheat and woven reeds. 

3. Fall Leaves

Among the most plentiful things found in November, you can use both real and artificial fall leaves for all sorts of traditional Thanksgiving decoration ideas, including just a simple leaf garland made with twine. Use branches colored in Fall foliage in a large vase or scatter individual leaves on your Thanksgiving table. 

4. Warm Lighting

With the onset of earlier nights, lighting is important. Thanksgiving demands softness, including plenty of candles and soft amber light created by string lights and lanterns. For easy Thanksgiving decoration ideas, decorate your tablescape and the rest of your home with cozy warm light that will immediately make your space soft and welcoming. Candles also make your dishware sparkle and shine.

5. Fall Floral Arrangements

As the seasons begin to change, summary florals are put away and darker, richer blooms come into play. Excellent Thanksgiving decoration ideas include filling your space with fall blooms like chrysanthemums, marigolds, dahlias and sunflowers. You can also add accents like wheat, seed pods, cottonwood and branches to fill in between the flowers for a beautiful arrangement. These also make for great Kwanzaa decorations, wrapped around traditional Kwanzaa food and Hanukkah decorations around traditional Hanukkah food.

6. Woven Pumpkins

While fall has its bright orange jack-lanterns, trade them for something more rich, textured and rustic for the best Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Many home retailers feature pumpkins made from woven basket-like materials like raffia and jute. You can also create a budget-friendly DIY version by wrapping your pumpkin with twine or rope secured with hot glue.  

7. Dried Corn Stalks 

For another material that screams harvest season, enlist corn stalks as a great Thanksgiving decoration ideas to add a sense of texture to your table. Fastened them around napkins or as part of your centerpiece. Corn stalks are also a cute accent to add to platters of food and baskets of bread. 

8. Berries

For a pop of color, use faux or real berries as part of all your Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Bunches of cranberries or late-season blueberries look amazing in a bowl or as garnish for your holiday dishes. Or you can use faux berries as part of your wreath or centerpiece.

9. Cornucopias

Perhaps one of the most recognized symbols of Thanksgiving bounty, these uniquely shaped Thanksgiving decoration ideas can be used to hold flowers or other fall accents so that they spill out artfully on the table. 

Simple Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas

10. Amber Glass

For a simple way to warm up any table, try using lots of touches of amber, be it sparking glassware or warmly-hued candle holders. Even with no other decorations, this warm-colored glass evokes a cozy late autumn vibe that feels formal yet familiar. 

11. Paper Garland

Paper garlands can be very fun to create and very beautiful display with not all that much work. Cut out some leaves or other fall shapes from construction or tissue paper and string them on wire, twine or some ribbon. You can even make fun puffy tissue flowers that are voluminous and add a fall floral touch to your Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Hang the garland over a table of thanksgiving appetizers or desserts. 

12. Rosemary Napkin Wreaths

For a simple fall accent that serves a great function, use small sprigs of rosemary around your dinner napkins. Just hot glue the ends and wrap it around. It works with rolled or folded napkins equally well. It also goes beyond the visual aesthetic of many Thanksgiving decoration ideas and makes your table smell really good.  

13. Painted Pumpkins

If you’re looking for a way to add some pizazz to ordinary pumpkins, try painting them with chalk paint to match your Thanksgiving theme and other Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Or give them a dusting of gold spray paint and glitter for a luxe look. Use them as centerpieces or stylish outdoor decor. 

14. Fruit Bowl 

For an arrangement that is as edible as it is beautiful, fill a pretty bowl or basket with a selection of fruits. Great options include grapes, berries, pomegranates, apples and pears. Not only will it look pretty during dinner, but guests will be happy to grab a snack before or after the meal — which means less cleaning up for you.  

15. Faux Pumpkin Vase 

Foam pumpkins in many sizes and shapes are readily available in craft and home stores during the fall months. Cut off the top of one to expose the hollow insides and use the cavity as a perfect base for a floral arrangement and easy centerpiece. Use real flowers or artificial ones for these Thanksgiving decoration ideas, which will allow you to recycle the same decor piece for next year. 

16. Word Art

Some great Thanksgiving decoration ideas that cozy up your home are words that evoke the season, such as ”Thanks” and “Gratitude.” Use a simple chalkboard sign to create a hand-lettered message or welcome sign to hang on your door or a wall in the dining room.

17. Dried Orange Garland

For simple Thanksgiving decoration ideas that are very budget- and eco-friendly, use a food dehydrator or oven to dry out some orange or other citrus slices. You can also string them on twine or fishing line. Hang the garland around windows, on the wall or over your buffet table for a pretty fall accent that also fills your home with a citrus scent.  

18. Gold Painted Figurines 

While the most obvious things you can pick up at a thrift shop to add a coat of gold paint to may be the usual pilgrim and turkey figures, think outside the box. Try other woodland animal figurines for novel Thanksgiving decoration ideas like foxes, squirrels and pheasants, as well as glass pumpkins and other fruits. Add a coat of gold spray paint to create pop-out accents that look far more luxe and expensive than they are. 

Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas for the Living Room

19. Plaids

A beautiful way to deck out your living room for November is to focus on adding some plaid Thanksgiving decoration ideas to your decor, particularly in rich fall colors like brown, tan, forest green and orange. Add some throw pillows that are plaid to replace your regular or Halloween cushions. You can also use a classic black buffalo check or earth-toned plaids for neutral spaces. 

20. Dark Florals

Dark rich floral fabrics are perfect for the colder months, so they'll fit right in with your Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Swap out elements like throw pillows and ottomans for fabrics with dark-backed or black-backed florals that include jewel-toned and earthy colors like brown, cranberry, plum and gold. 

20. Velvet Pumpkins

Many home decor and craft stores offer gorgeous velvet pumpkins that make great Thanksgiving decoration ideas to add to your sofa or chairs. They come in rich shades like burnt orange, gold, brown and olive green., They also look adorable placed on a table or as part of a centerpiece. 

20. Fall Mantel

If you have a fireplace mantel in your living room, it’s a great opportunity to fill it with fall accents like leaf garlands, fall florals, candles and other seasonal decor in various heights and levels. You can even add some twinkle lights amid the leaves for a little sparkleto your Thanksgiving decoration ideas. 

21. Throw Pillows

For great Thanksgiving decoration ideas for the living room that are easy to add to existing Thanksgiving decoration ideas, invest in a few fall throw pillows in rich fall colors like burnt orange, deep red, plum and brown. You can also just purchase the pillow cases and store them every year until Fall comes around. Large cushions can also be great as extra seating.

22. Decorative Fall Bowls

Use a large wooden, glass or stone bowl and fill it with your favorite Fall elements like acorns or pinecones. Other great ideas for Thanksgiving decorations include velvet or raffia-covered balls, seed pods and walnuts.

23. Cozy Throw Blankets

Another way to add texture and coziness to your living room Thanksgiving decoration ideas is to invest in some great fall-colored throw blankets. Not only are they great for post-meal napping, curling up for the game, or prepping for the best party games for Thanksgiving, but they can be a perfect way to add a bit of fall color and pattern to an otherwise neutral room. Look for materials like fur, flannel and woven cotton.

24. Glass Cloches

Cloches make a beautiful addition to a table or a luxe Thanksgiving decoration idea for the living room or any room. Fill cloches with fall elements like dried flowers, pinecones or figurines like pilgrims and turkeys to create little tableaus that you can place on a table, mantel or shelf.

25. Burlap

This often underestimated fabric is perfect for Fall because you can buy it in bulk and use it for everything from ribbons and wreaths to tablecloths and garlands. The natural fabric readily complements all the Fall colors in your decor. For cute Fall wall Thanksgiving decoration ideas, make a large swag with greenery and folded burlap. 

26. Candle Wreaths

If you love pillar or votive candles, why not give them a little more decorative interest by adding small wreaths made of leaves, foliage and Fall materials like berries, herbs and straw around their base? These Thanksgiving decoration ideas instantly turn an ordinary candle on a coffee table into a distinctive and unique centerpiece. 

Thanksgiving Table Decor

27. Turkey Centerpiece

Well done on not giving up and going to one of the restaurants open on Thanksgiving, you're almost done with your decorative masterpiece, just a few extra touches like table decor. You can create a fabulous giant turkey centerpiece using a regular pumpkin. Use toothpicks with a dab of glue to add corn stalks and ears of decorative corn that look like feathers around the back. Place fruit around the base and add berries and other edible ingredients as the beak and eyes. 

28. Copper Pieces

Copper gives off far more warmth and Fall-like vibes than materials like silver, so why not fill your table with these Thanksgiving decoration ideas? Use copper serving ware and dishes for your meal or create a centerpiece using copper candles and other decorations that reflect the softness of candlelight. 

29 Dried Flowers

Instead of live flowers, fill your Thanksgiving centerpiece with ones that have already been dried and preserved for simple Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Not only can they be used in other seasons, but their delicate softness immediately gives a rustic and vintage-inspired charm to your table. For extra holiday flare, paint your Thanksgiving nails in the same tones as the flowers. 

30. Feathers

When creating centerpieces and wreaths, don’t overlook feathers, real or faux, as materials. They definitely give an organic Fall vibe to your Thanksgiving decoration ideas, as well as a sense of whimsy and texture. They also look lovely as a print or accent on items like tablecloths and linen. 

31. Fall Napkin Rings

The luxuriousness of a large special dinner will have you bringing out all your finest Fall linens, so it's a great opportunity to add a little bit of glamor to your table settings and Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Opt for warm metals like gold and copper, as well as beading or jeweled accents or go for a more organic feel of natural wood or wicker for your Thanksgiving table decor. 

32. Place Tags

If you're hosting a large dinner for the holiday, great simple Thanksgiving decoration ideas include pulling out all the stops and giving each guest an assigned seat at your table, designated by place cars. They can be as casual or formal as you like. Great options include simple folded cards placed on a napkin to elaborate engraved party favors. For an inexpensive eco-friendly option, try using a cut apple or other fruit to hold a simple white card.

33. Chalkboard Signs

If you're looking for a way to show off your holiday menu, create a fun chalkboard sign that includes a list of what to expect for the meal as well as holiday greetings and fun seasonal drawings. You can also glue greenery or fall flowers around the chalkboard for some extra interest. 

34. Vintage Glassware

Vintage glassware, which comes in a variety of colors like olive green, amber and amethyst can be a great way to add instant Fall vibes to your Thanksgiving table decor. Use a matching set or collect a selection of mismatched drinking glasses from thrift and antique stores for an eclectic look. 

35. Candlesticks

A fine meal is a great chance to use all your pretty candlesticks and candelabra that languish in the cupboard for most of the year. Opt for luxurious gold or copper holders for a warm aesthetic or keep your Thanksgiving decoration ideas neutral and slightly gothic with a rich matt black. 

36. Warm Wood Serving Dishes

Wood, with all of its natural charm, texture and warmth, looks amazing on a fall table. For a great Thanksgiving decoration idea, show off your wood serving pieces like large bowls for Thanksgiving salad, thanksgiving charcuterie boards and pepper mills, all of which are as beautiful as they are functional. 

Outdoor Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas

37. Upcycled Can Lanterns

Fantastic Thanksgiving decoration ideas that work for outdoor gatherings or porches are DIY can lanterns. Made from upcycled food or paint cans, you can decorate them with punched holes in shapes like turkeys or Fall leaves, then use them as a container for a tea light or small LED bulb. They make stunning rustic centerpieces for outdoor meals or look adorable hung along a fence.

38. Twinkle Lights

How to decorate the outside of your house for Thanksgiving? A cozy glow is a perfect way to meet the shorter brisker days of Autumn. Use some wired or battery-operated twinkle lights amid your outdoor holiday decor like leaf garlands, wreaths and hay stacks to add a little sparkle. Or decorate an outdoor table with lights tucked among candles and lush Fall florals.

39. Branches

Real or fake branches can be a great way to create a centerpiece or decor accent for your porch or outdoor seating areas during the Fall season. Display them bare or with clinging leaves for a flash of Fall colors. You can also use them in a large vase or bucket next to the door strung with lights for cute and easy outdoor Thanksgiving decoration ideas.

40. Thanksgiving Piñata

If you’re hosting an outdoor picnic for Thanksgiving where the climate allows it, consider getting a cute Thanksgiving-themed piñata. Fun for kids or adults, piñata add a spirit of festivity and competition to your gathering. Fill it with candy for kids or create an adults-only piñata with items like mini liquor bottles.

41. Hurricane Lanterns

Hurricane lanterns not only keep candle flames contained, but are great if you may have a little bit too much wind extinguishing your candles at your next outdoor Fall picnic. Use them as part of your outdoor Thanksgiving decoration ideas over pillar or taper candles. You can also add a wreath of flowers or leaves around the base.

42. Thrifted Glassware Mushrooms

For a fun upcycling idea for thrifted dishware, use a tall container like a drinking glass or vase to form the base for a unique yard decoration that screams Fall. Place a bowl over the top and secure it with hot glue. You can add lights, paint or other decorations to personalize your mushrooms. 

43. Fire Pit or Bonfire

Any outdoor gathering in the Fall, whatever the climate, needs a cozy fire, be it an outdoor fire pit or a giant pile of leaves and sticks in the yard. For outdoor Thanksgiving decoration ideas, add throw blankets to some chairs and set up a s'mores station or hot cocoa station for snacks while you enjoy the fire. Use hay stacks or stumps for extra seating. 

44. Hay Bales

These great Thanksgiving decoration ideas not only add some countrified Fall charm, but can serve as additional seating around fires or fall dinner tables. You can also use random bits of hay as part of your decor, be that stuffed into a scarecrow or as part of a wreath design. 

Creative & Unique Thanksgiving Decorations

45. Cork Pumpkin

For a fun project using all your saved corks from past Thanksgivings, create a rustic pumpkin shape that makes a cute addition to your Thanksgiving decoration ideas. Just start at the bottom of the pumpkin, securing each cork to the next with some hot glue. When you have a rounded pumpkin shape, use a final upright cork for the stem. Wrap the exterior in a ribbon and paint the corks orange and green.

46. Scroll Sign

For a cute and interesting piece of decor, suspend a roll of craft paper on the wall and allow guests to fill it with doodles and messages about things they're grateful for. At the end of the celebration, tear it off and save it for subsequent years. You can also use a paper tablecloth to offer guests a chance to do it on the table’s surface.

47. Book Page Leaf Garland

A great way to use old books that you don’t plan to read or collect (like old reference volumes) is to turn their pages into fun paper leaf shapes. String them on ribbon or twine for a distinctive bookish garland that you can hang from the ceiling, over a doorway or over your mantle. 

48. Recipe Placemats

For a great accent to your table and to make some memorable Thanksgiving decoration ideas, blow up and laminate your favorite family recipes and Thanksgiving food ideas to create easily wipeable placemats that guests can take home with them as a souvenir and keepsake 

49. Gratitude Tree

Use a simple tree branch to create this great creative decor element. Cut out small tags of paper or cardstock and allow guests at dinner to add written statements of gratitude to hang on the tree.

50. Coffee Filter Flower Garland

You can make beautiful paper flowers using ordinary coffee filters. Dye the filters in a solution of water and food coloring and allow them to dry. Fold a stack into quarters and them bunch together at the bottom, using your fingers to fluff out the layers. You can also make cuts along the top to get frayed and uneven edges that vary the petal designs. Make a few for some truly memorable Thanksgiving decoration ideas. 

51. Embroidered Place Cards

Some cute Thanksgiving decoration ideas for place setting designations are to create mini-embroidery ring pieces in Fall colors with simple accents like leaves, turkeys and acorns in addition to the guest's name. Even better, they can take them home as a souvenir from the meal. And if you don't have the time or budget for embroidery, just get some textured paper and place their name on it. 

52. Lego Centerpiece

A fun building activity for kids and adults, this Lego centerpiece makes a pretty abundant floral arrangement in Fall colors that is as fun to put together as it is to look at. Combine with candles and other holiday accents such as Legos turkeys and pumpkins for whimsical, playful Thanksgiving decoration ideas.

53. Construction Paper Pumpkins

Another crafty option among fun Thanksgiving activities is to allow the kids to help decorate for the holiday by making fun three-dimensional paper pumpkins for the table. Create these Thanksgiving decoration ideas by making a cylinder of orange paper and glue it together at the ends. Use scissors or X-actos to cut strips through the middle of the paper. Press down on the cylinder, allowing the paper strips to spread into a rounded shape. 

54. Old Book Pumpkins

For a bookish Thanksgiving craft idea, use an old hardcover book to create a paper pumpkin book sculpture. To make these Thanksgiving decoration ideas, cut the pages of the text block into a rounded shape, then open the book, allowing the pages to fan out and to create a sphere. Hold the cover open with glue, double-sided tape or strips of Velcro, then add some orange paint or golden glitter to the edge of the pages. 

55. Pinecone Turkeys

These are always fun Thanksgiving decoration ideas to make with the kids. Add googly eyes and a few feathers on the back of a pinecone with hot glue for an adorable turkey accent. They are fun on their own, but also make great place-setting cards that you can slide a simple white card into. Leave them brown or paint them gold for a more festively luxe look. 

56. Fabric Acorns

For a cute repurposing of plastic eggs from your Easter craft ideas, Wrap them in fabric secured with a few dabs of glue, then create a cap in twine by wrapping a length a few times around and gluing in place. Add a small stick for the stem, then use the acorns to fill a cute bowl or basket on a holiday table or as part of your regular decor. 

57. Cinnamon Stick Candle Wrap

Use a few cut-down cinnamon sticks glued to the perimeter of a large pillar candle for an easy eco-friendly holder. Not only does it add texture to the candle, but will give off more scent as the candle burns down and heats up the exterior. These cute Thanksgiving decoration ideas also make great hostess or thank you gifts.

Whether you're celebrating with a simple dinner for one or two or hosting your entire family or group of friends, these easy Thanksgiving decoration ideas are as simple as they are budget-friendly. Even better, they can work for both formal meals and more casual gatherings.

For even more fun Thanksgiving ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!