Chic and Stylish Fall Decorating for Thanksgiving

One of the best parts of fall is the colors that mother nature puts on display. It's my favorite season because of all its natural, organic and unrefined beauty. I always love decorating for this season, especially during Thanksgiving, when celebrating fall and its abundance means welcoming family and friends.  If you are like me and you are either short on time or not really into the homemade arts and crafts look, here are some  chic, simple ways that I found most inspiring for you to welcome the arrival of fall and your Thanksgiving guests.

Warm Things Up

One of the easiest ways to add a snug and welcoming feel is by swapping your regular throw-pillows for velvet ones in rich fall shades. Then add a few coordinating throws and blankets and get ready to cozy up by a nice warm fire.

Photo: www.wishdecor.com

Photo: Sarah Richardson Design


 

Create A Warm Welcome

 

There isn't a better way to celebrate fall than by bringing the outdoors in. As the leaves change and their vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow emerge, use the natural colors in your decor. Choose  vases in various shapes and sizes and fill them with different colors of leaves and fall flowers. Place them on your entry table to warmly welcome guests and throughout your home to add elegance and color.

 

Photo:HGTV Ca

Photo: HGTV Canada

Photo: HGTV Canada

 

 Put Blessings on Display

 

Giving thanks and reflecting on your blessings is what Thanksgiving is all about. Why not create a message board for family and friends? Have them write what they are thankful for on a paper leaf and pin it up. I love this idea because it is a delightful way to bring everyone together. This frame was constructed using a linen-covered foam core and an old frame. Cut paper leaves from scrapbook paper in different fall shades and pin them on the board.

 

Photo: Midwestliving

 

Frame-Up Memories

 

This is one of my personal favorites! Pop family photos in frames and create a gallery wall so everyone can enjoy a sentimental stroll down memory lane. What better way to celebrate family and friends!

 

Photo: Buzz Feed

 

Photo: HGTV Canada

 

Company is Coming

 

We all enjoy and look forward to connecting with those we hold near and dear over a well set table and delicious food. Create simple and chic nature-inspired center pieces that add color and pay tribute to the season and all its beautiful colors.

The best and prettiest arrangements are the ones where we use what we have. Opt for earthy elegance and create an inviting dining experience simply by using fruit. All you need is a pair of scissors, a tray or a linen or burlap table runner, eucalyptus or greenery of your choice and 2-3 varieties of fruit.  Simply snip pieces of eucalyptus and add to the corners and middle of your tray.  Casually disperse fruit pieces and intersperse a few additional snips of greenery in nooks or open spaces and you are done. You can also simply disperse pieces of eucalyptus along a burlap or linen table runner and add candles of various heights with pieces of fruit in between.

 

 

Photo: Julie Blanner

 

Photo: Julie Blanner

 

Want a more traditional look? Add pumpkins and grapes or other hoards of gourds to bowls and add greenery around them to create a colorful and festive table.

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: HGTV Canada

 

If  keeping things sleek, simple and stylish is more your style, try wrapping dried cornhusks around small votives. They cast a soft glow and serve as a reminder that corn was part of the first Thanksgiving feast.

Photo: Martha Stewart

All you need is dried cornhusks, double-sided tape, small ribbons in the colors of your choice, a pair of scissors and votive holders. Simply cut the widest part of the dried cornhusks to the height of your votive holders. Then apply double-sided tape around a votive holder about 1/4 inch from the bottom and add 2-3 cornhusks overlapping the edges to the holder. Finish by tying with a ribbon and you have classy elegance in minutes.

Want something more colorful and vibrant? Give fallen leaves one last chance to shine by using them as decorations on glass candleholders.  Against the candlelight, the leaves look like beautiful flames.

 

Photo:BuzzFeed

 

Simply apply spray adhesive to the backs of leaves. Then, wrap leaves around the candleholder, letting the stem of each extend slightly past the base. Cut off leaves overhung along the bottom of the candleholder and place them around your table for a more modern majestic glow.

 

It's A Family Affair

 

Don't forget about the littlest pilgrims of them all. Have them join in the fun and help them create a fun, colorful table of their own. For this great DIY all you need is a burlap or linen table cloth, acrylic or fabric paint and a paint brush. Simply choose an autumn color palette and paint polka dots and let them dry. Then start setting the kids' table!

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: shopruche

 

Finally, direct guests to their seats with fun and creative name cards. Keep things simple and invite guests to take a seat by writing their name on a dried leaf , or tie their name around a gilded pumpkin or piece of fruit. 

 

Photo: Country Living

Photo: Martha Stewart

 

This is one of my favorites. Direct guests to their seats with name cards topped by leaves that look like they just blew in.

 

Photo: Martha Stewart

 

All you need to do to make these lovelies is to fold a piece of brown colored covered weight card in half and write a guest's name with a white gel pen. Then cut one or two notches about 1" wide in the card, at an angle. Slide fallen leaves into each notch and voila! Instant charm.

 

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because of the time I get to spend with all those who I hold dear and because it's a time to reflect on all the blessings I have in my life. Hope these tips inspire you to create a warm, inviting, personalized home for your guests this year. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! Cheers to great food and great memories! Safe travels too!