Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner? Having some friends over for Friendsgiving? or simply just need some ideas to create wonderful centerpieces for the holiday? Here are some easy Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas that are easy, budget friendly, and will wow your guests!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Table setting essentials

Before we get into the centerpieces lets chat about the essentials needed to set the table. I like to start off by choosing 2-3 colors or picking a theme. This year I chose the colors rust, green, and white. I then add other elements and small hints of other colors. Focusing on a theme or 2-3 colors will make it less overwhelming and easier for you while you shop for any items.

Let’s start with your table runner or tablecloth. Get creative, instead of using a standard table runner, add a little texture to your table and use a Gauze Semi-Sheer Table Runner or cheesecloth table runner. These runners add elegance to any table. You can run it right across the table allowing it to hang off the ends as long as you’d like, bunch it up, or place on top of a tablecloth.

These ceramic plates are sure to catch the eyes of your guests. I love the vintage feel of them and the simple detail around the edges. They also come in different colors.

Add some pattern with a cloth napkin set. This set is from Hobby Lobby. I like that its simple with just enough detail. I also purchased this pumpkin spice plaid napkin set that’s a little brighter and adds a pop of color. You can have some fun here and add a fun pattern to make your table setting fun, or go neutral and keep it modern and simple. 

Fold the napkins however you’d like. You could also get napkin rings. I found these at HomeGoods but Amazon has these rattan napkin holders that are pretty similar.

You could change things up and add a stainless steel flatware set that you don’t typically use. I like to use this gold set on special occasions.

Lastly, lets chat about glassware. Are you loving the vintage-style drinking glasses and goblets as much as I am?

I found these green bubbled glass cups for 50% off at Hobby Lobby that were just perfect for my table setting and the color is to die for!

Here are some more vintage style glasses and goblets that I am swooning over. I found these on Amazon. They come in different styles and colors.

1. Jax Highball Beverage Glass Cup
2. Weddingstar Vinatge Style Pressed Glass Wine Goblet
3. Vintage Glassware Set
4. Kingrol Vintage Drinking Glasses
5. Red Wine Glasses Set of 3 Globlets
6. Colored Glassware

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Now that we have our table set up the real question is what do you put in the middle? The centerpiece is what brings the entire table setting together. You can do something dramatic or keep it simple. Let’s go over some great Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas!

Florals

Who doesn’t love a beautiful floral arrangement? I purchased these three small bunches of artificial flowers at Michaels. They were each between $5-8 bucks. The great thing about artificial flowers is that you can put them in anything and they don’t require any water. Of course you could also do real flowers but I incorporated these artificial ones so that I have more options on where to place them. Read along and you’ll see what I mean. Also, artificial flowers have come a looonnngg way! They look so real now!

This artificial fall flower bouquet from Amazon is perfect for fall and will look beautiful as your Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Pumpkin flower arrangements

Once Fall begins, the first thing I do is decorate my porch and one of my 5 fall porch decor must haves are pumpkins of course! Did you know that you can easily turn a real pumpkin into a vase?

To turn a pumpkin into a vase cut the stem off and carve a big enough opening so that you can place your floral arrangement. Scoop out the seeds on the inside (you can roast the seeds for a yummy treat) and either fill the pumpkin with water or place a small vase or container with water inside the pumpkin if using real flowers. Be sure that the vase is shorter than the pumpkin so you won’t see it. You could also simply place a foam block inside the pumpkin and pierce your stems into it. Use a wet foam for real flowers and a dry foam for artificial flowers.

The great thing about using real pumpkins as a vase is that they come in different beautiful fall colors and sizes. You could set up multiple pumpkin floral arrangements across the table or do a big one in the middle and add a garland across the table to add some greenery.

I was given a beautiful floral arrangement for my birthday last year and it came with this ceramic pumpkin shaped vase. I saved it to reuse it as a Thanksgiving centerpiece. If I didn’t have this adorable pumpkin vase I would have definitely grabbed one of my real pumpkins and turned it into a vase!

Add flowers to decorative item

You can get creative and add florals to a decor item that you won’t typically see florals in. For example, I purchased this decorative pumpkin at Marshalls and instead of just placing it in the middle of the table I added some artificial flower stems to it.

Here’s a video to show you what I did!

Look how beautiful it turned out!

Whenever you go shopping or thrifting go with an open mind and don’t be afraid to purchase something with the intent to change it, especially if its on clearance! Whether it requires painting, or adding something small to change the look, its always nice to make it your own. When I’m having a heard time finding furniture or a decorative item, I try to find something similar to what I’m looking for and make some changes to make it my own. I do this a lot with furniture, vases, and lamps. Take a look at my DIY Sideboard Makeover!

Place decorative items across your table.

This works well if you have a rectangular table. Placing decorative items like small pumpkins, candle holders, amber bottles etc. is a great way to add nice ambiance and romance.

Candle stick holders

Several years ago I became obsessed with these vintage candle stick holders. I would go hunting for these at thrift stores and have acquired quite a few over the years. They are perfect for any table setting. The best part? The price! The price ranged from about $1 to $3 dollars each! (I chat more about thrifting and share My top 10 thrifting home decor finds here.)

You can also do a modern sleek candle holder. This set of 6 gold candlestick holders is really pretty. It also comes in black. Other options are found in stores like Target and Walmart but give thrifting a try and be on the look out for vintage candle stick holders!

And don’t forget to add some taper candles. I found these 10 inch green taper candles on Amazon. They are scented, smell amazing, and come in different colors. The green is perfect for Christmas too! I also purchased a box of white taper candles that I’ve had for some time now and I use them year round. The orange candles were found at Hobby Lobby.

Amber bottles

I also started collecting amber bottles. Amber bottles are useful in many rooms. You can place them pretty much anywhere, like bathrooms, kitchens, bookshelves, and of course your Thanksgiving table. They look so pretty as is or add a flower and it becomes a little vase! I added these amber bottles in the middle and smaller ones between candles to use as my centerpiece.

Bring the outside in

Another great Thanksgiving centerpiece idea is to bring the outsides in. Take a look outside and bring nature inside! This is one of my favorite things to do because it cost nothing! Being in New England has its perks. With the leaves changing colors you can simply cut a few small branches right from your backyard. Place your branches in any vase and create a super easy Thanksgiving centerpiece that’s totally free!

While you are out in your yard finding branches, grab some pine cones too! Pine cones are great for your Thanksgiving plate setting. Get crafty and use them as place cards, tie them around your napkin as napkin rings, or set them directly on the napkin or plate.

Centerpiece tray

You can’t go wrong with having a tray as your Thanksgiving centerpiece. There are so many things you can place on a tray. You can add fruits, pumpkins, veggies, flowers, pretty much anything you’d like. To spruce it up add any greenery on your tray first then your favorite items on top.

I purchased this seagrass rectangular tray at Marshalls and placed the items I already had.

Creating a Thanksgiving centerpiece is the start to creating great memories surrounded by delicious food and loved ones. I hope you were inspired by these Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas. Give them a try and let me know which one is your favorite!

Happy holidays!