Some of my favorite blogs, like “The Inspired Room,” posted a Thanksgiving Table preview at the first of November. I thought it was a cool idea and wanted to do the same. Unfortunately, life happened and I still have not finished setting my table! Lol

I use a trick I learned from flylady.net – set the table and cover it a sheet to protect it from dust! I did manage to get all of my other decorations set out.

 Frugal Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas

1) Make it yourself using recycled materials: I made this turkey out of three baskets, 2 pinecones, 6 husks of dried indian corn (from my son’s preschool teacher), a fake squash pick (nose), 2 hazelnuts (for eyes), and I cut the giblet out of a red freezer container! I took this to the county fair several years ago and won a blue ribbon in the open class for a “recycled project.”

2) Use food you have on hand: I poured popcorn into a few bowls in my china cabinet.

I filled a few bowls with popcorn.

3) Use items from other holidays: This mug was given to me for “Secretary’s Day” back in the 1990’s! The color and message say “Thanksgiving” to me!

Being thankful shows appreciation.

4) Goodwill and Garage Sales: I purchased the turkey napkin holder at a garage sale before 2004. A few weeks ago, I found the matching candlesticks at Goodwill!

Look at Goodwill and garage sales to complete your set.

5) Children’s homemade decorations: My baby just turned 23 and my oldest will turn 30 on his next birthday, but I still display the seasonal decorations they made when they were in elementary school.

Store the decorations your kids make in your Thanksgiving decoration box.

6) Don’t Burn the Candles: My granddaughter made this tablescape when she was visiting one day. I had the decorations out and she wanted to help. We decided to use all of the pumpkins on this table. There are two candles in there that I have had for years. I store them in the basement where there is no danger of them melting.

This arrangement consists of: baskets, candles, and salt/pepper shakers.

7) Paint them yourself: These are empty coke bottles that I painted to look like candy corn.

I used acrylic craft paint to paint the sections.

8) Get out your jewelry: In the bathroom, I just switched out the towels to match the “Turkey” pin I no longer wear.

Use your jewelry on your towels.