Long before you have to think about defrosting the turkey, you can indulge in your excitement for Thanksgiving dinner—and yes, of course, the company of your friends and family—with some festive home decor. As soon as you've handed out the last piece of candy to a trick-or-treater, consider it time to put away the ghosts and skeletons and break out the turkey candle holders and plaid-designed throw pillows. Pumpkins, as long as they haven't been nibbled on by squirrels, can stay all fall long.
To save you time—you have a Thanksgiving dinner to plan!—we've done the shopping for you. Scroll on for our favorite Thanksgiving decorations, then add a few of them to your home. However you decorate, whether through tea towels, wall art or centerpieces, here's betting you'll be delighted every time you open your front door now through the final piece of pumpkin pie.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Happy Thanksgiving, indeed!
What To Consider When Purchasing Thanksgiving Decor
Delivery Time: One day you're handing out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters, then you blink and it's time to break out the Christmas ornaments. November flies by, so before buying season-specific decor items, keep a close eye on when your purchase is expected to arrive. If it's on backorder or not scheduled to arrive until the day before Thanksgiving, you may want to consider a different product. The sooner you buy it, the more time you'll have to enjoy those Thanksgiving vibes all November long. So, what are you waiting for?
Style: Thanksgiving decor varies widely in style. Do you prefer traditional, vintage vibes, like something your grandmother would have owned? Or do you tend to veer more modern? Whatever your style, there are plenty of Thanksgiving decorations on the market for you. You could decide to design your home with general fall decor, like pumpkins and a seasonal color palette (plenty of oranges and browns), to spread cheer all fall long, or you can get Thanksgiving specific, with turkeys and "grateful" signs. There's no wrong way to decorate for Thanksgiving; just be sure it fits your style so you'll happily pull it out of your decorations bin year after year.
Price: Think about it: How much do you really want to spend on an item that'll only be on display for a few weeks, tops? Thanksgiving dinner itself is pricy enough, so consider what you purchase carefully before you blow your budget on decor. We selected a variety of modestly-priced items below that'll add seasonal cheer to your home without cramping your credit card.
Read on for 11 of our favorite Thanksgiving decoration ideas that are both fun and affordable.
1. Pumpkins Throw Pillow
One of the easiest ways to integrate Thanksgiving decor into your home is with a throw pillow or two. There's no hammer and nail required, plus they're practical, comfy to lay your head on (while watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, perhaps?) and a breeze to store away once it's time to break out the Christmas decorations. Society6 carries hundreds of joyful Turkey Day-themed options from independent designers, but this orange pumpkin and gourd one is our favorite. You can choose between an indoor or outdoor style, as well as four different sizes. All include the pillow insert, so there's no need to add one of those to your cart, too. Simply toss this on your couch and consider your decorating—at least where your living room couch is concerned—done.
2. Anecdote Candles Harvest Hot Toddy Candle
Burn, baby, burn! From the time the first leaf turns color in the fall, go ahead and light a candle. They'll bring a cozy vibe, a warm glow and a seasonal scent to your home. Anecdote Candles always succeeds at nailing specific fall scents, including their Harvest Hot Toddy candle, which evokes the yummy fragrance of Honeycrisp apples and cinnamon. If it inspires you to whip up a hot toddy, don't blame us.
3. Thanksgiving Plaid Pattern Coffee Mug
Some of the most delightful holiday decor items are the small, everyday pieces that get continual use, like a coffee mug. Here's betting you'll reach for this ceramic mug morning after morning (as long as you've run the dishwasher overnight—yes, it is dishwasher- and microwave-safe) to pour yourself a big cup of caffeine as you plan your Thanksgiving meal and get ahead on Christmas shopping. The plaid pattern wraps around the entire cup, which is available in 11- or 15-ounce options.
4. Set of Three Thanksgiving Gnomes
These gnomes couldn't possibly be cuter, and would make for an adorable addition to your Thanksgiving decor. They're made with "cotton, polyester and love" by an Etsy seller, who has named these little fellas Autumn, Woody and Birch. (They also have Halloween and Christmas cousins, if you want to keep the gnome theme going all fall and early winter long.) At 3.5 inches tall, they make for mini decor items on a side table, fireplace mantle or anywhere around your home. Or, move them around from room to room, Elf on the Shelf style, to lean into gnomes' naturally playful style.
Pie lovers, this one is for you. Hang this oh-so-cute Thanksgiving garland on your mantle, staircase or anywhere, really, as a bit of seasonal wall decor. Each garland includes four felt pumpkin pie banners topped with whipped cream-like white pom poms as well as five lattice-topped berry pies. It measures 46 inches in length and the looped ends on the twine make for easy hanging. Suddenly, we're hungry for a slice of pumpkin pie …
6. Turkey Bowl With Lid
Not only is this handsome turkey bowl pretty to look at, but it could be put to use in so many different ways. Leading up to the holiday, it could hold cookies or other treats on your kitchen counter. Then it would make for a perfectly petite Thanksgiving centerpiece, or put it to work holding the mashed potatoes or any other side during the big meal. Each November it'll become a staple of your home, and eventually, you can pass it down as a family heirloom—all for under $20.
7. Happy Pumpkins Tea Towels
Don't overlook your kitchen when it comes to Thanksgiving decor. Simply add a few festive tea towels to your oven, dishwasher handle or on your shoulder while you're whipping up your family's favorite sweet potato pie. Geometry carries a whole line of fall-themed towels, including this lively pumpkin print in unexpected hues that aren't necessarily traditional fall colors but still feel festive. These are charming as well as practical since they're made with recycled materials that absorb and dry extra fast.
8. Grateful Thankful Blessed Stripes Cotton Twill Place Mat
We're suckers for pragmatic pieces of seasonal decor like this Thanksgiving-themed placemat. Not only does it elevate your table decor, but it serves as an everyday reminder to give thanks. Voila! Table decor made easy. Best of all, it's machine-washable, so no worries if a bit of gravy goes awry. Just note that this price is for a single placemat, and you will probably want to purchase multiples.
9. Rustic Metal Tea Light Turkey Candle Holders
Once you get a glimpse of these cute turkey candle holders, your tablescape won't be complete without them. Add tiny tealight candles, real or flameless, to add a warm glow to not only your Thanksgiving meal but any simple dinner any night in November. Each set comes with three standing turkeys and three sitting turkeys, so you can arrange (and rearrange) them on your dining table all month long.
10. Thankful Autumn Wreath Reversible Table Runner
If you're ditching the idea of a tablecloth for your Thanksgiving table, consider this runner instead. This design is made from 100% cotton and would brighten your dining room (or coffee table or entryway console) no matter which of its reversible sides is showing. Choose from the "thankful" autumn wreath and a border of fall leaves, or flip it over to reveal a red, gray, white and gold plaid pattern.
11. Turkey Napkins
Come Thanksgiving Day, don't let your table setting be caught without a festive napkin for each guest. Instead, invest in these traditional turkey napkins. They come in sets of four, so depending on your guest count, you may want to add more than one to your cart. Wrap them in some simple napkin rings, then set them on each place setting. Bon appetit!
