DIY’s Thanksgiving Tabletop Tips

Written on November 18, 2009 at 1:34 pm, by Team DIY

There’s a fine balance between impressing the socks off of your friends and fam with your mad dinner-party decor skills…and having enough in your checking account to score some super Black Friday deals the day after. DIY to the rescue! Here are six simple and inexpensive ways to add drama to your dinner table on T-Day without sacrificing your wallet. Look for six more fun and frugal ideas tomorrow.

Think Outside the Gourd. Sure pumpkins are pretty, but we think you can do better. Find interesting shapes and colors in the produce aisle or farmer’s market. Garlic, nuts, pears with stems intact—even a pile of multicolored fingerling potatoes. Best of all, today’s centerpiece is tomorrow’s dinner menu.

Duly Noted. Tuck a personalized note into the napkin at each placesetting. Jot down a few reasons you’re thankful for that particular person or a memory of the two of you that makes you smile. It’ll keep them warm long after post-dinner hot toddies.

Bright Lights. Fill inexpensive glass candleholders or hurricanes with golden corn kernels from an ear of decorative corn. Find a pillar candle in the same color to set inside.

Berry Good. Use raffia to tie a stem of berries with a sprig of greenery. Add a handwritten note on parchment paper to indicate each guest’s place at the table. Look for bright colors that match your tableware. So festive!

Pumpkin Recycling. Jazz up pumpkins leftover from Halloween. Drill tiny holes through the pumpkin and tuck a mum into each hole until the pumpkin is covered in blooms.

Yard Sale. Pick up an inexpensive wreath frame from your local crafts store. The morning of your Thanksgiving soiree, head out to the backyard and collect flowers, pinecones, ornamental grasses, and other garden goodies to decorate the wreath. You can hang this one on the wall or your front door. Or, lay it on the dinner table for an impressive centerpiece.

3 Responses to “DIY’s Thanksgiving Tabletop Tips”

1. November 18, 2009 at 3:51 pm, by BeachBrights

   I love this article! Last year for my center pieces, I bought short square vases (like you have pictured above with corn and candles) from Walmart (cheap), white carnations (cheap) and fresh whole cranberries (abundant this time of year and cheap!). I filled the vases with water and cranberries then shorten the stems of the white carnations for cute, festive centerpieces.

   Great minds think alike Love your ideas!

   XOXO

2. November 19, 2009 at 4:40 pm, by Team DIY Blog | DIY’s Thanksgiving Tabletop Tips – Take Two

   [...] Yesterday, we featured fun and creative was to dress up your holiday dinner table without pawning the TV. Today, seven more fabulous tips for wow-ing your friends and fam! [...]

3. November 27, 2009 at 6:06 pm, by Dawn

   I absolutely love BHG! I am so glad you guys have this site for a rookie like me. Every time I check out your online stuff or grab one of your magazines – I am always inspired!

   Thanks!