Hey there crafty friends! The holidays are right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about how to decorate for Thanksgiving. As you prep your home for turkey day this year, consider crafting some DIY Thanksgiving tree decorations to really get into the holiday spirit. Not only is making your own decor a fun family activity, but it can also be a great way to reflect on what you’re thankful for this season.
I’ll walk you through some of my favorite ideas for easy homemade Thanksgiving ornaments. Whether you want to craft with the kids or make some elegant decorations for your holiday hosting, there are options here for every style and skill level. Let’s get started!
Kid-Friendly Crafts
Decorating the tree is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving when you have little ones. Making ornaments with your kids allows them to really participate in the holiday in a hands-on way. Here are some cute and simple Thanksgiving tree decorations that even the youngest family members can help with.
Fingerprint Leaves
Turn your child’s unique fingerprints into sweet handmade leaves. For this project, you’ll need:
- Green and brown paint
- White cardstock
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Ribbon or string
Have the kids dip their pointer fingers in the green paint and thumb in the brown. Then, press their fingers onto the cardstock in the shape of a leaf. You can look up images of different leaf shapes online for inspiration. Once dry, cut out the fingerprint leaves and make a hole at the top with a punch. Thread ribbon through the hole to hang on your tree.
Watching little handprints transform into tiny leaves is so nostalgic. This craft captures your child’s small hand at just the right moment in time.
Clay Turkeys
Modeling clay offers endless creative possibilities for crafting. For this project, roll out clay and use cookie cutters, craft sticks, or go free-form to shape turkey bodies, feathers, eyes, and beaks. If you have multiple colors of clay, mix them together for a fun, speckled turkey pattern.
To finish, make a hole before baking and add ribbon or string when cool for hanging. This is an open-ended activity that allows kids to imagine and build their own unique turkeys. Display your flock together on the tree for a thanksgiving scene.
Paper Chain Garland
Nothing gets you in the Thanksgiving mood like homemade paper chains. Plus, this classic decorative garland is easy for kids to help with.
Cut strips of construction paper, fold into loops, and glue the ends together. Then, interlock the loops to form your garland chain. To hang, attach ribbon at either end.
Let the kids pick the colors and write words related to Thanksgiving on each loop, like family, feast, grateful, and more. Drape these gratitude chains over your tree branches or mantle for an easy handmade holiday accent.
Nature-Inspired Ornaments
Bring natural elements from outdoors inside to decorate your Thanksgiving tree. Not only is this an eco-friendly choice, but it also connects your decor to the fall harvest season. Here are some rustic-chic ways to craft with natural materials:
Pinecone Turkeys
Transform pinecones from your yard into a mini turkey flock with some simple foraged supplies. You’ll need:
- Pinecones of varying sizes
- Feathers
- Leaves
- Acorns
- Mini pumpkins or gourds
- Hot glue gun
Glue a small pumpkin to the bottom of a large pinecone for the turkey body. Then attach smaller pinecones pointing outwards for feathers. Add leaves and acorns for the head and feet. Top it off with a sprig of real feathers. Create a whole pinecone poult with different sized cones and let your nature turkeys mingle on the branches.
Twig Star Ornaments
Small twigs and sticks can make pretty decorative star shapes when assembled together. For this organic ornament, gather thin, bendable twigs from outside. Cut them into pieces about 6 inches long.
Take 5 twigs and tie them together at the center with twine. Then flare out the ends and tie again about an inch down to form a star shape. Make a loop with the twine at the top and hang your rustic star on the tree.
Try spray painting them in metallic colors like gold and silver before assembling for a more glamorous look. Either way, these natural star ornaments add organic texture.
Cranberry Garland
Strung cranberries are a classic symbol of Thanksgiving. Make your own holiday garland using fresh cranberries and thread:
- 1 bag fresh cranberries
- Needle and thread
- Twine for hanging
Thread a large needle with strong thread or fishing line. Pierce cranberries and string them together, leaving about an inch between each berry. Keep going until the garland reaches your desired length. Then tie the ends together to form a circle around the tree.
The bright pops of red look so festive wrapped around greens. Place your cranberry garland on your tree, over your fireplace, or anywhere else that needs a quick seasonal pick-me-up. Keep it up through December for a natural Christmas decoration too!
Grateful Ornaments
As you decorate for Thanksgiving this year, take some time to reflect on gratitude. These DIY Thanksgiving tree decorations provide a space to display what you’re thankful for in a tangibly creative way.
Thankful Wreaths
Create mini wreaths from metallic wreath forms and attach meaningful notes of thanks. Provide small wreath rings, ribbons, pens, and mini wooden clothespins.
Have each family member write brief notes on what they feel grateful for. Clips notes to the wreaths with clothespins. Add ribbon at the top to hang your thankful wreaths on the branches as you reminisce over your blessings.
Gratitude Jar Lights
Illuminate reasons to be grateful by placing mini lights inside jars full of thankful notes. Gather small clear jars and ask each guest to write something they’re grateful for on a strip of paper.
Fill the jars with the notes, making sure lights fit inside. Place the lights in the jars and use the lid rim to suspend them from branches with ribbon or hooks. The individual lights highlight your collective gratitude.
Family Tracing Outlines
Trace and cut out the outline of each family member’s hand. On the cut-out, write what that person is thankful for this holiday season. Hole punch the top and thread ribbon through to hang the hand outlines on your tree.
Seeing the traced hands of loved ones and the blessings written on each one creates a heartfelt and personal display. It provides a chance to appreciate each unique member of your family.
No matter which DIY ornament route you take, the process of making them together fosters gratitude. Displaying them annually builds holiday traditions. Let your handmade tree decor remind you of Thanksgiving’s deeper meaning all season long.
Elegant DIY Ornaments
While kids’ crafts and natural elements add charm, you also want some refined ornaments if hosting a formal Thanksgiving dinner or party. These next projects make for beautiful additions to your holiday decor.
Felt Ball Ornaments
Felt fabric lends itself perfectly to ornaments with its festive colors and easy manipulation. To start, cut felt sheets into 3-4 inch diameter circles. Stitch them together into spheres, leaving a small opening.
Turn the ball right side out, press with an iron to smooth surfaces, and fill lightly with stuffing. Hand stitch the opening closed. Add decoration like:
- Embroidery floss initials
- Ribbon bows
- Spices like cinnamon sticks or star anise
- Dried flowers and herbs
- Pom poms or fabric yo-yos
Finish by tying a loop of ribbon at the top for hanging. Felt ball ornaments pair nicely with your Thanksgiving linen and dishes for a coordinated tablescape.
Gilded Botanicals
Preserved leaves dressed up in gold make stunning statement ornaments. To create these gilded beauties, you’ll need:
- Preserved leaves and flowers
- Gold paint pen or spray paint
- Fishing line or wire
- Mini decorative beads
Paint your preserved plants gold on both sides and let dry completely. Tie a piece of fishing line around the stem, securing with a dab of glue if needed. String mini beads onto the line for extra dazzle. Fasten at the desired hanging length.
Hang your golden leaves around the tree or arrange in vases for a mirrored effect. The metallic sheen elevated natural shapes into art.
Framed Fall Scenes
Tiny tabletop frames become ornaments with photos of autumn inside. Use square frames 2-3 inches in size. Print out fall images like turkeys, leaves, pumpkins, etc. that fit the frame. Or take pictures of your family around Thanksgiving.
Insert photos into frames, close the backs, and attach ribbon at the corners for hanging. These mini framed scenes decorate your tree with your choice of festive fall reminders. Surround the frames with faux autumn leaves or flowers for added flair.
However you choose to craft and customize your tree, handmade ornaments make everything more personal. They turn decoration into meaningful reflection. If hosting guests, send them home with an ornament as a thank you gift for sharing in your Thanksgiving celebration.
May these handmade ornaments fill your holiday season with gratitude, connection, and joy. Happy crafting and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of materials work best for making ornaments?
Some good ornament crafting materials include paper, felt, clay, natural elements like pinecones or twigs, fabric, cardboard, wood slices, and polymer clay. Get creative with painting, gluing, stitching, and embellishing basic materials.
How do I make the ornaments hangable on my tree?
Add a ribbon, string, twine, or hook to the top of the ornament. A hot glue gun can help adhere the hanging element. For lightweight materials, use ornament hooks specifically designed for hanging.
What if I’m not crafty or creative?
Even simple shapes like stars, circles, and hearts cut out of paper or felt make nice ornaments. Or print out ornament templates online for Thanksgiving tree decorations. Stick with easy materials like clay, paper, felt, or natural elements from outside that require minimal skill. Focus more on the meaningful aspect of making them together.
Should I make all matching ornaments or a variety?
Either way works! Having all one style offers cohesion. But mixing and matching allows everyone to make unique ornaments that reflect themselves. Include a variety of crafts from simple to more advanced. Do what suits your style and skills best.
How soon before Thanksgiving should I make them?
You can start crafting ornaments up to a month before Thanksgiving. For ones using real leaves, pinecones, or other natural materials, create those 2-3 weeks out. Supply non-perishable materials like felt and craft supplies earlier for kids to work on. Just don’t hang ornaments too far in advance or they could get dusty or damaged.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving ornaments are a wonderful way to infuse your holiday decorating with DIY meaning. They provide an outlet to reflect on gratitude and create new traditions. Whether you craft natural, elegant, or kid-friendly designs, the act of ornament making builds anticipation for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. It bonds family and provides a creative outlet during this season of giving thanks. As you gather around the Thanksgiving tree to create cherished symbols of gratitude, consider these three original Christmas present ideas for the man in your life, each carefully tailored to his unique tastes and interests.
