Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas – Table Settings, Centerpieces, Name Cards and More!

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? These unusual Thanksgiving table decor ideas will kickstart your holiday decorating.

Beautiful Thanksgiving tables include a centerpiece, with coordinated linens, dishes, flatware, glassware, and any other decor that you use to set a theme. From rustic fall centerpieces to simple table settings and stunning Thanksgiving tablescapes, these ideas utilize the colors and textures of fall in a creative way.

The best part is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your holiday table. Most of these ideas are DIY projects that can be put together very inexpensively.

I’ve put together a collection of 20+ Thanksgiving place settings, table settings, and centerpiece ideas to give you some inspiration for your holiday meal this year.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase through an affiliate link.

Thanksgiving place settings

A place setting combines dishes, cutlery, and embellishments for a single diner at a table. Looking for some inspiration for your Thanksgiving place settings ideas that aren’t boring? Try one of these unusual ideas.

Acorn place setting design

You can create this subtle table setting in just minutes. Cut maple leaves out of pieces of stiff felt and tie them together with faux pearls and fall greenery around your cutlery. Hot glue a large acorn to the top and place the cutlery on a beige napkin.

This design looks stunning on simple white plates surrounded by pieces of raffia.

Purchase felt to make the maple leaves here.

Green and white place setting idea

The contrast in this Thanksgiving place setting is dramatic. To create this look, place two small green and white faux pumpkins alongside silver cutlery on white plates. Add some delicate white flowers and fine herbs to create the look.

Walmart has small green pumpkins for sale.

Rosemary place setting with gold cutlery

Rustic meets elegant in this Thanksgiving table setting. The look features gold cutlery sitting on small rounds of wood next to white plates topped with cloth napkins wrapped in thick cotton rope. Tuck a sprig of fresh rosemary into the napkin to complete the design.

Buy thick cotton rope here.

Virginia creeper place setting

Do you have Virginia creeper in your yard this fall? You are in luck! The berries and leaves are perfect for this rustic Thanksgiving place setting.

To create the look, tie a cream-fringed napkin and add a sprig of Virginia creeper over it. Place the napkin on green and gold plates next to a faux cream pumpkin and disposable gold cutlery.

Amazon has disposable gold cutlery for sale.

Leafy Thanksgiving place setting

What a great use of fall leaves! In this pretty design, a white plate is topped with a cream napkin secured with a white silver napkin holder. The plate holds a set of silver cutlery and a sprig of fall berries.

Surround the plate in a circle with colorful fall leaves. This design looks especially good on a wooden table.

Shop for silver napkin holders on Amazon.

Maple leaf place setting

This Thanksgiving table place setting idea has a minimalistic look. It features a folded tan-colored napkin holding cutlery and sitting on two white plates.

The napkin is adorned with a single maple leaf and a darker folded velvet ribbon tied into a bow. It’s easy to create and can be done in just minutes.

For more napkin folding design, check out this tutorial.

Table setting ideas

Table settings differ from place settings because they take into account the table’s overall layout. Blending the two makes the design look cohesive. Elaborate table settings are often called tablescapes.

Here are some Thanksgiving table decor ideas for tablescapes that might work for your holiday table.

Thanksgiving white pumpkin leaf table setting

This simple Thanksgiving table setting ties together green and gold fall leaves with white candles, white plates, and white napkins for a classic design that is sure to delight your guests.

Each plate has its own Thanksgiving place card, and there is just enough color from the Thanksgiving greenery so that the look is not boring.

You can purchase white faux pumpkins here.

Pumpkin Thanksgiving table setting

This stunning Thanksgiving table setting features a variety of pumpkin designs, both hard and plush, in muted white, natural colors, and gray. It is both subtle and sophisticated.

The table elements are tied together on the muted green place setting with a soft gray napkin, which is tied to the cutlery with a piece of gray satin rope that has a crystal bead attached to it.

Amazon has a nice pack of 12 assorted soft pumpkins for sale.

Acorn Thanksgiving table setting

It’s time for fall! This Thanksgiving table setting brings the outdoors inside with pinecones and small pumpkins. Large white pillar candles rest on wooden candle holders that complement the natural look beautifully.

To blend with this Thanksgiving table decor idea, cloth napkins are tied with fresh herbs and berries.

Shop for wooden pillar candle holders here.

Woven mat Thanksgiving table setting

The wood coasters and woven mats give this Thanksgiving table setting a natural look that combines well with the orange pumpkins. Add a pumpkin candle and the look is complete.

Shop for rattan round woven placemats here.

Colorful Thanksgiving table setting

The colors of this dramatic Thanksgiving table setting all combine for one cohesive look. Brightly colored orange pumpkins, large seed heads, shafts of wheat, and fall leaves are placed in the center of the table.

The green and brown plates hold gold and black cutlery, with rust-colored napkins that blend beautifully. Add drink glasses in a rust color. It’s a perfect look for an antique wooden table.

Here is a decorative autumn pack containing elements to add to your design.

Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas

A centerpiece is the central decorative item or arrangement placed in the middle of a table. It establishes the table’s theme, sets the mood for the meal,  and adds visual interest.

Here are some unusual Thanksgiving centerpiece designs to incorporate on your table this year.

Living succulent pumpkin centerpiece

Pumpkins come in so many wonderful colors and shapes. Heirloom pumpkins make a great base for a wonderful succulent arrangement that can be the star of a tablescape.

This tutorial shows how to turn your pumpkins into a wonderful living succulent arrangement. It would make a wonderful Thanksgiving table centerpiece.

Pumpkin Thanksgiving floral arrangement

For this Thanksgiving table centerpiece, a large pumpkin has been hollowed out and used as a vase to display fall flowers. It’s surrounded by smaller pumpkins to create the focal point on the holiday table.

A wooden tray on legs adds height to this design. Don’t let your pumpkin rot too quickly! For tips on preserving pumpkins, check out this post.

Easy DIY hurricane glass centerpiece

I love the rustic look of this easy Hurricane Lamp Fall Centerpiece. Don’t worry if you don’t have a hurricane lamp. 

This one is made from a thrift store glass vase and tumbler for less than $2! The dried beans, popcorn, and green split peas give it a warm, homey look.

Add the clay pot pumpkin and some gourds, and you have a lovely coordinated table centerpiece that is perfect for Thanksgiving.

Acorn wood Thanksgiving centerpiece

Thick pieces of wood with bark are topped with fall leaves, acorns, pinecones, and yellow and orange flowers surrounding a white pillar candle. This Thanksgiving table centerpiece design costs almost nothing and is very natural-looking, especially on this leafy orange tablecloth.

Purchase white pillar candles here.

Edible cornucopia Thanksgiving centerpiece

Cornucopias, also known as horns of plenty, are a traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece idea. This centerpiece takes the design idea to a new height by making it edible.

The cornucopia is baked, and then it is filled with Thanksgiving baked goods that guests can help themselves to. 

Get the edible cornucopia centerpiece tutorial here.

Thanksgiving flower centerpiece

This rustic floral Thanksgiving centerpiece uses reclaimed wood, with pinecones, a candle, and a Thanksgiving floral arrangement in autumn shades. The handmade menu plaque tells guests what you’ll be serving for dinner.

Best of all, it can be put together in an afternoon with minimal cost. Get the step-by-step tutorial here.

Popcorn candle centerpiece

This inexpensive candle centerpiece is made with faux fall leaves, pinecones, and clear glasses, filled with candles and popcorn. The multiple levels of the design will add a nice 3-dimensional look to your Thanksgiving table decor.

See how to make this fall table decoration here.

Leafy Thanksgiving table centerpiece

This Thanksgiving centerpiece idea combines rustic elements with decorative jugs filled with fall leaves, silver pumpkins, and pumpkin candles. The overall look is sophisticated in spite of the natural elements.

These faux silver pumpkins would look nice in this table setting.

DIY Thanksgiving place holders

If you are having a large group at your holiday table, you will want a decorative way to let people know where to sit. This is where Thanksgiving place holders do the trick.

These creative Thanksgiving name cards are easy to make and look great on the holiday table.

Edible turkey name cards

The kids will love these adorable and totally edible Thanksgiving name cards. They are made with chocolate candy, Oreo cookies, and candy corn. Add a cardstock name card and the project is finished.

See the step-by-step instructions for this cute Thanksgiving DIY project.

Pumpkin berry Thanksgiving place cards

What could be easier than this Thanksgiving placeholder? All you need is a small orange pumpkin, a sprig of faux berries, and some gray cardstock. Cut the end of the card in a V, punch a hole, and add some string. A white paint pen adds the guest’s name, and the place card is done.

Shop for orange mini pumpkins here.

Pinecone place cards

This easy Thanksgiving place card decoration uses natural materials for another rustic look. To make it, cut rounds of wood to use as the base. Cut off the bottom of the pinecone so it sits flat, and hot glue it to the wooden base.

The spiky top of the pinecone holds a cardstock name card, and the project is almost cost-free!

Purchase heavy cardstock paper here.

Leaf Thanksgiving name card

This simple name card design features a single maple leaf on top of a colorful napkin. Tie your cutlery with twine and attach a piece of stiff fabric cut into a name tag shape. Use a paint pen in the color to match your napkin for a coordinated look.

Purchase paint pens here.

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Admin note: This post about tablescapes for Thanksgiving and other Thanksgiving table decor ideas first appeared on the blog in September 2013. The post has been updated to add new photos and a video for you to enjoy.

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