22 Easy and Affordable Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Thanksgiving is perhaps the biggest meal of the year. And, the most humbling too! The entire family bonds together over a happy meal — prepared with much love. There’s undoubtedly something magical in the air, including a mouth-watering feast of Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pies, and lovely table decorations. So, if you’re looking for some inspiring Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas that are both easy and affordable, this is where your search ends.

So, let’s get you a Thanksgiving dinner table that will add to the magic. From foliage-filled pumpkin and rustic creations to Instagram-worthy floral designs, these chic yet budget-friendly Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas will impress your guests with their visual appeal. 

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1. Bring the spirit of the season to the table

A Thanksgiving decoration without pumpkins and other types of harvests is unthinkable. Because autumn is a season of harvest, a centerpiece made of seasonal fruits and vegetables makes for a festive display. Choose pieces that are hardy and do not easily mold or soften. 

2. Light up your Thanksgiving table

Decorating your dining table with everything you associate with the special day will add to the homely vibe of your home. These could be white and orange pumpkins, fresh produce, vivid fall leaves, artichokes, gourds, cranberries, apples and what have you. And, then, add some good lighting. You will love the surreal look!

3. Display a rustic milk container

Here’s an unexpected centerpiece idea for you. Display any old milk container that you might have and arrange a couple of sunflowers in it. If you do not have such a rustic item in your inventory, maybe it’s time to visit a flea market!  

4. Create a natural fall foliage centerpiece

Head straight to your backyard garden and pick everything you see in sight. We mean, the flowers and the fall foliage — not the outdoor furniture! Use your creativity to make this kind of colorful display. The bright setup will keep the au naturel theme going with a beautiful candle in the middle.

5. If you have more items, opt for symmetry

If your Thanksgiving centerpiece consists of more than one piece de resistance, position them symmetrically for a balanced look. For example, if it’s a floral arrangement, make sure you flank the larger centerpiece with two slightly shorter floral arrangements on the sides.

6. Floral centerpiece

The beauty of a flower arrangement never goes out of style. But this time, instead of adding a few equally spaced floral bouquets, try to add the flowers in a continuous manner across the dining table — from one end to the other. When in doubt, choose a bold flower arrangement in autumnal hues with zinnias or dahlias. Add berries and leaves to add colors as well as volume. 

7. Use a shallow wooden basket as centerpiece container 

Select a basket that fits with the decor of your home. If your home is rustic, with lots of wood accents, a roughly woven basket will match the style nicely. If your home is more modern, try a wide, shallow copper bowl. Low and shallow vessels are often best, as you don’t want anything too big or obtrusive at your dinner table.

8. Arrange natural wood in layers

Bring the outdoors in with some natural wood, greens and flowers. Arrange them to create one of the best Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas in your dining room.  

Read more: 11 Dining Room Thanksgiving Decorations on a Budget

9. Go minimalistic with a single bouquet

Sometimes, you want to keep things simple. A beautifully arranged bouquet of flowers and berries will do the trick, and save you some precious space for the Thanksgiving turkey and pies. We’re already hungry thinking about them!

10. Have a combination of gourd, pinecone and greens

If you do not want a standard floral bouquet, you can create your own arrangement of pinecones, gourds, and mossy greens. After all, the natural beauty of the fall season will look even better when it’s next to your food!

11. Get a tiered serving tray

This decoration idea is perfect for those with a bit of space crunch on the dinner table. Simply display an assortment of seasonal fruits, mini pumpkins and muffins on a tiered serving tray. You can use uniquely patterned placemats and silverware to make your holiday table even more special.

12. Bring in greens

Fresh leaves look lovely — both outdoors and on your table! Complement your table linens with a creative leafy centerpiece. You could place them across the entire table to add a lovely lively vibe. 

13. Place the happy old Jack-o-lantern

How could we forget one of the most fun days of this season? Bring a little touch of Halloween decoration on to your Thanksgiving table and let the children have a great time.  

14. Create a nest of candles

Make little nests with twigs and leaves and set candles in them. The nest-like decorations will look simply lovely. The perfect decor for Thanksgiving! 

15. Use pumpkins as a flower vase

Here’s a DIY thanksgiving centerpiece idea that doesn’t cost much yet looks completely stylish, and in keeping with the season. Use a huge pumpkin and fill it with the flowers of your choice. All you have to do is knife out the seeds from the pumpkin and make it hollow enough to hold the flowers. Finish the unique design with small pumpkin vases filled with similar flowers.

16. Candles, candles and more candles

You can never go wrong with a candle Thanksgiving centerpiece idea. Whether you’re using large candles or small ones in votive candle holders — your table will become the perfect focal point. And, the food will look even more inviting!

17. Go metallic

Here’s another one of those eclectic Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas for you. Add a lot of drama to your table decoration with metallic paints. If you want to create your own budget-friendly Thanksgiving theme, you can coat some pinecone or pumpkins with metallic gold spray paint.

18. Hanging lights and leaves

Another way to create a focal point around your meal table is by adding fairy lights and leaves in such a way that they hang over the feast — adding a festive look to the entire setup. The bright lights will draw the eyes upwards effortlessly. 

19. Use a kettle for your table decoration

If you want something ultra-simple yet beautiful, place a ceramic teapot and use it to hold your favorite blooms. And, of course, pumpkins and apples on the side. The arrangement will make your table look bright and happy. 

20. Create an edible centerpiece 

Here’s a Thanksgiving centerpiece idea that you can eat too! Arrange all the seasonal fruits on the table, with a cornucopia in the background, and see the magic they add. The colors will take your breath away. 

21. Let wheat stalks do their magic

Wheat stalks are a popular choice when it comes to Thanksgiving decor. Place them all around your table, some even in pumpkins and tea lights. A colorful twist would be to wrap layers of colorful thread at the bottom of each stalk. They will add a rustic touch and lots of visual interest.

22. DIY paper flowers

Ask your kids to do this super quick DIY by cutting paper flowers. It costs nothing but looks really impressive. These faux flowers will last longer, unlike fresh flowers, and you can have them in any color you want. 

Happy last thoughts

There are many options to consider during Thanksgiving preparation, especially when it comes to the centerpiece. Whether you opt for a functional and festive piece made of fruits and vegetables, a floral arrangement, or something simple and uniquely beautiful, creating the perfect addition to your tablescape doesn’t have to be difficult. Let’s take inspiration from these Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas and create the most awesome decor for you. 

Read more: 4 Easy Home Improvements You Can Finish by Thanksgiving

Written by Ginger Russell. November 24, 2014

Ginger Russell has her Bachelor's and Master's of Art in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Smithsonian Institute, and Nordstrom, Inc. In 2010, she combined her retail experience with her passion for Art and developed the retail boutique, MassArt Made, at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has since taught courses in art business and entrepreneurship.