Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and at the top of everyone’s mind is getting all of the food prepared for the big, thankful feast. But once we’ve perfected our recipe list, and done all of our shopping, exhaustion sets in, and getting the decorations together often becomes a last priority. So, I’ve got some great Thanksgiving decoration ideas that can be put together at the last minute and on the cheap…
- I love pine cones, and use them to decorate around the house all season. Glue small ones to a piece of ribbon and tie around each guest’s napkin to make these easy place settings.
- Fill a beautiful bowl (I tried it with a silver plated one and wood one) with a mixture of whole bean coffee and nuts and tuck in lots of little votive candles. As the candles warm, the mixture will exude the scent of the coffee, filling your room with a holiday smell.
- Make an easy mantle or table-top centerpiece by filling crystal glasses or champagne flutes with cranberries, fruit and nuts, and topping each with a votive candle. Line up down the mantle, or Thanksgiving table, or group them in the center.
- Cut sprigs of thyme, oregano or whatever herbs you’ve got and tie them in with your silverware, then watch as the aroma relaxes your guests. Smell is part of decorating too!
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- Scrabble pieces can be super fun place settings, this works great for smaller gatherings. Spell each guest’s name out on the little wooden scrabble trays, and put them on top of each guests place setting. Maybe it will drum up a game later!
- Fall leaves are beautiful on top of place settings. Using gold or silver magic marker, write your guests names on the leaves, or add something meaningful, like why you are thankful to have them, or what you are grateful for. Try oak leaves for their magnificent shape, and maple for their dramatic color.
Also: check out the Thanksgiving tabletop ideas I showed Rach on the show last year. There were some really good ones in there.
What have you guys got planned for Thanksgiving? Going somewhere, staying home, cooking up a storm…Let me know!
Happy Thanksgiving!
11.19.07 @ 11:26 am
i love your show i watch all the time you just have great ideas. the person that actually introduced me to your show was my uncle…yes he’s gay but loves to cook. and i love when he trys your technique the food just taste so much better.
happy thanksgiving
to you and your family
best wishes to y’all
11.19.07 @ 3:57 pm
i am going to my aunt’s house and i don’t have to worry about all that stuff.
butt ill tell my aunt to come and visit this website.
xo cassie xo
11.19.07 @ 11:52 pm
I do love your show I watch it in the morning when my three older ones get on the nus for school and the other two little ones for still sleeping. I can cook but, I would love to be able to cook like you. You give me wonderful ideas. I don’t get much time to myself with 5 children and a husband but, when i do get time I love just to watch your show and try to learn new things. Thank you for you great ideas.
GOD BLESS- Tina Castro
11.21.07 @ 9:40 am
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Pls help me ! Im in desperate need of some quick and easy way to unthaw my turkey. I took it down last night and that bird is still hard as a rock.
wow talk about 911 my nephew stopped by last night and saw the turkey and said titi it sure would be funny if the fam came over Thursday and turkey is still frozen. so we might be having frozen turkey hah…not cool. so pls help……. sincerely desperate in jacksonville florida 
11.21.07 @ 1:29 pm
Cold water bath will work.Change the water every hour.I place ice cubes in mine overnight cause I wont wake up every hour to change it.Just got mine out yesterday and it is just 13 lbs. and this morning it seemed to be working.It sits still in the sink but with any luck it will be ready for tomorrow.Happy Thanksgiving,Jackie
11.21.07 @ 4:13 pm
hello how are you finely i hope i get to talk with Rachael ray well i have been watching you all summer everyday and yes for the last three to fours year and i have to say this summer up till now i would like to get a printed out off all your show because you have very good idea and help full idea as well i i would like to put some off then to good used . if my printer was working then i could print some off your idea , well any way and you give away some many thing i want some lol..
11.22.07 @ 4:47 pm
Rachael:
Just finished cleaning up the kitchen after preparing one of the tastiest Thanksgiving Meals. I watched your 60 minute Thanksgiving Dinner and decided I would try something untraditional in our family. The dinner was so amazing! You definately pulled many fall favorites together in this meal and every dish complimented another. I know your recipe served 8, but it was just my Dad and myself; we have LOTS of leftovers. I’m excited to make the matza soup you recommended with the leftover stuffing muffins. I know it is a 60 minute meal, but my Dad and I spent two hours playing in the kitchen preparing this yummy meal and I think that was more fun than anything! Thank you for sharing your traditions and family memories; I’ve made some of my own today. It has been awhile since I have had a good day, and today was very good!! Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to more of your great meal ideas.
Margo
11.23.07 @ 8:38 am
Rachael inspired me to make cranberry sauce. I, however, decided to make it fresh. Easier than pie. My mom always left the berries whole, but my fiance said his momma always blends it. So I thought, why not try something new. I added the juice of one orange and a dash of cinnamon. Then I put it the blender and added the orange zest. It was wonderful. Then I thought, why not make cranberry margaritas? Back to the store for more cranberries and a bottle of Tequila we went. They were wonderful. Just tequila, ice, and fresh cranberry sauce. I am going to try freezing the sauce in ice cube trays, to use later in the year. I also thought the sauce would make great popcicles for my son! I think we came up with a new tradition. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
11.24.07 @ 2:12 pm
Evette,
Great ideas! what can we do for Christmas to get the house ready and not spend a fortune or look tacky?
11.28.07 @ 12:04 pm
Christmas Decorating Ideas!
Here’s a few Christmas ideas for decorating your house.
If you have paintings on the wall, wrap them up, put a bow and even some ribbon around a few, put back on the wall and now you have an inexpensive decoration on the wall and didn’t even have to buy something new or put a nail in the wall!! I use whimsical wrapping paper for dens, hallways and bathrooms and for the formal dining room and livingroom I use a more elegant wrapping paper theme and bow. Company and family love it. Also, if you have Christmas cards you saved from last year, get some picture frame mattings in red, green or gold, place those in your picture frames you already have hanging, add in a christmas card and put back on wall. I like to use the Christmas cards that I received with no writing or words on the front, but even if they have wording they are still great as decorations up on the walls!!
10.06.09 @ 3:12 pm
simple & elegant.
that’s what I like about it.