Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, gathering, and giving your home a warm, festive touch. While store-bought decorations are convenient, there’s something uniquely satisfying about creating your own handmade crafts. Not only do DIY projects add a personal flair to your celebrations, but they also make for fun activities to enjoy with family or friends.
To inspire your creativity this season, we’ve rounded up 40 delightful Thanksgiving crafts for adults that are as enjoyable to make as they are to display. From rustic centerpieces to charming wall art, these ideas will help you infuse your home with autumnal charm—and maybe even start some new traditions.
1. Rustic Wooden Turkey Centerpiece
Transform scrap wood into an adorable turkey figurine. Paint the body in earthy tones and attach feathers made from painted craft sticks or real fall leaves.
2. Hand-Painted Ceramic Pumpkins
Pick up plain ceramic pumpkins from a craft store and paint them with intricate designs, such as paisley patterns or metallic accents, for a sophisticated look.
3. Fall Leaf Wreath
Collect colorful fallen leaves, press them overnight, and glue them onto a foam or vine wreath base. Add a burlap bow for a finishing touch.
4. Gratitude Jar
Decorate a mason jar with twine, ribbons, or paint, then fill it with notes of gratitude written by family members throughout November.
5. Pinecone Turkeys
Turn pinecones into cute turkeys by attaching felt wings, googly eyes, and colorful paper feathers. Use them as table decor or mantel accents.
6. DIY Corn Husk Dolls
Channel old-fashioned charm by crafting traditional corn husk dolls. These whimsical figures double as both decor and conversation starters.
7. Embroidered Napkin Rings
Stitch simple embroidery designs—like acorns, leaves, or “Give Thanks”—onto fabric strips and wrap them around rolled napkins for a personalized tablescape.
8. Cinnamon Stick Candle Holders
Glue cinnamon sticks around glass votive holders using hot glue. The warm scent adds an extra layer of coziness to your Thanksgiving ambiance.
9. Felt Acorn Garland
Cut felt into acorn shapes, stuff lightly, and sew or glue them together. String them onto twine for a playful garland perfect for mantels or doorways.
10. Chalkboard Place Cards
Create reusable chalkboard place cards using small wooden plaques or slate tiles. Write guests’ names with white or metallic chalk markers.
11. Harvest-Themed Door Sign
Paint a wooden sign with phrases like “Gather Together” or “Welcome Home,” and embellish it with dried wheat stalks or mini pumpkins.
12. Mason Jar Vases
Fill mason jars with seasonal flowers, branches, or fairy lights. Wrap the outside with burlap or twine for a rustic vibe.
13. Fabric Scrap Pumpkins
Sew fabric scraps into pumpkin shapes, stuffing them lightly. Top each one with a stick or cinnamon stick stem for texture.
14. Autumn Leaf Lanterns
Decoupage pressed leaves onto glass jars, then insert tea lights for a glowing centerpiece or porch decoration.
15. DIY Table Runner
Sew or stencil a custom table runner featuring Thanksgiving motifs like pilgrims, turkeys, or harvest imagery.
16. Paper Quilled Leaves
Use quilling techniques to create delicate paper leaves in autumn hues. Frame them as wall art or use them as part of a larger project.
17. Wooden Slice Coasters
Slice branches into rounds, sand them smooth, and paint or woodburn designs like leaves or “thankful” quotes. Seal with varnish for durability.
18. Fall-Inspired Pillow Covers
Update throw pillows with removable covers featuring embroidered or appliquéd fall themes like pumpkins, leaves, or turkeys.
19. Apple-Crate Display
Repurpose wooden apple crates as shelving units for displaying pumpkins, gourds, candles, or other seasonal decor.
20. Beaded Napkin Rings
String wooden beads onto elastic cord to create minimalist yet elegant napkin rings. Customize with paint or charms for added flair.
21. Burlap Banner
Cut burlap into triangles, stencil letters spelling “Thankful,” and string them together with jute rope for a cozy banner.
22. Clay Leaf Bowls
Roll out air-dry clay, press real leaves into it for texture, and shape it into shallow bowls. Let dry and paint if desired.
23. Painted Wine Glasses
Add autumnal designs—like gold leaf accents or hand-painted pumpkins—to plain wine glasses for a festive tablescape upgrade.
24. Twig Star Ornaments
Form stars from flexible twigs tied together with twine. Hang them on doors, walls, or windows for a woodland-inspired accent.
25. Thankful Tree
Set up a branch in a vase and invite guests to write what they’re thankful for on paper leaves. Attach the leaves to the tree as a meaningful display.
26. Dried Orange Garland
Slice oranges thinly, bake until dried, and string them onto twine along with cinnamon sticks and cloves for a fragrant garland.
27. Patchwork Placemats
Piece together fabric scraps in fall colors to create patchwork placemats. They’ll bring warmth and personality to your dining table.
28. Painted Gourd Decor
Paint decorative gourds with geometric patterns, ombre gradients, or metallic finishes for a modern twist on traditional decor.
29. Macramé Wall Hanging
Try your hand at macramé to create a boho-inspired wall hanging featuring tassels, beads, or woven leaves.
30. DIY Woven Basket
Weave strips of fabric or yarn into a small basket for holding snacks, utensils, or trinkets during gatherings.
31. Floating Candle Centerpiece
Float candles in a shallow bowl filled with water, cranberries, and greenery for an elegant, low-maintenance centerpiece.
32. Personalized Recipe Cards
Write down favorite family recipes on cardstock and decorate with stamps or calligraphy. Share them as thoughtful hostess gifts.
33. Tassel Garland
Make tassels from yarn in fall colors and string them onto ribbon for a playful, eye-catching garland.
34. Stamped Tea Towels
Use rubber stamps and fabric ink to print fall-themed designs onto plain cotton tea towels.
35. Wooden Spoon Turkeys
Paint wooden spoons to resemble turkeys, complete with googly eyes and feather tails. Use them as playful utensil holders.
36. Pressed Flower Art
Preserve fall blooms by pressing them between books, then framing them for delicate, nature-inspired artwork.
37. DIY Advent Calendar
Start early on holiday prep by making a countdown calendar filled with tiny treats or messages of gratitude.
38. Glittered Pinecones
Spray pinecones with adhesive and sprinkle glitter over them for a sparkly addition to centerpieces or wreaths.
39. Leather Keychain Tags
Cut leather scraps into tags, punch holes, and stamp “Thankful” or “Grateful” onto them. Attach to keys or bags as keepsakes.
40. Handmade Thank You Cards
Craft custom thank-you cards using pressed leaves, calligraphy, or stamped designs to express gratitude after the holiday.
Final Thoughts
These 40 DIY Thanksgiving crafts offer endless opportunities to get creative while adding a personal touch to your celebrations. Whether you’re crafting alone or hosting a group activity, these projects are sure to spark joy and foster a sense of connection during the season of gratitude.
As someone who loves bringing handmade elements into my home, I can attest that these crafts not only enhance the atmosphere but also become cherished memories in themselves. So gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let your imagination run wild. Happy crafting—and happy Thanksgiving!
