Create a Welcoming Thanksgiving…The DIY Way

by Randi Destefano

When the weather turns cooler, and the skies are blue, suddenly I’m in the mood to start decorating my house for fall and Thanksgiving. Does this ever happen to you? The funny thing is that my creative juices start flowing this time of year, and I head to the woods to see what I can find.

For some reason, fall decorating brings out the urge to decorate with handcrafted items, in luscious colors of red, orange, gold, and purple. I guess it’s the anticipation of winter cocooning that makes me want to add a bit of country to my decorating. But I love the scents, the colors, and the textures.

So this week, thanks to Better Homes and Gardens website, I’ve discovered some doorways and table settings that I hope you’ll enjoy.

Mums, mums, and more mums!  I love how they’ve paired them with white pumpkins for contrast.

Opposites attract in this colorful arrangement.  Red/orange is across from this shade of blue on the color wheel, and make a perfect combination that pops!

Containers can be created from what you have around the house.  Here, I’ve taken a ceramic vase and added willow branches, sunflowers, berries and leaves.

Chinese Lanterns in bright orange/red add a pop of color to my mantel.

Pumpkins, gourds and mums say “Welcome to our home”

Create a simple table runner with ribbons down the center that can be changed with the seasons.  Add to it colorful leaves with pumpkins and gourds, and you have a beautiful Thanksgiving table arrangement in minutes.

Even non-traditional containers can make out outstanding centerpieces.  I love the use of this globe to hold pine cones, nuts, and berries in this fall arrangement.

A simple pumpkin trimmed with bittersweet.  Adding star anise and dried fruit as part of the grouping helps add a little bit of nature to the table.

Everyday water glasses become centerpieces when you add these beautifully colored fall leaves.  By separating each color into their own container, you’re creating more interest to the grouping.  Remember to stagger heights whenever you can to let each piece stand out on its own.

Pumpkins and colorful leaves.  It can be as simple as that.

Happy Decorating!!!!!