Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece (make it in minutes!)
Learn how to pull together an incredibly simple Thanksgiving centerpiece that features a collection of pumpkins, succulents, and magnolia leaves.
We celebrated an early Thanksgiving over the weekend and I had to pull together a quick centerpiece. Without any trips to the store, I was able to create this simple Thanksgiving centerpiece from items in the house (and around the yard!).
A bit of shimmer, organic items, and candlelight is the perfect recipe for a quick and easy (yet stunning!) centerpiece to decorate your Thanksgiving table this November.
Disclosure: This page includes affiliate links.
Simple Thanksgiving Table Decor
Never one to invest much money or time into seasonal decor, I prefer low-cost table settings that are quick to assemble.
A few of my favorite ideas from years past are:
- print black and white photo place cards from special family photos
- write family members' names on magnolia leaf place cards
- use printable place cards placed in wood photo stands
- create a magnolia branch centerpiece with candles and tree clippings
- make leather napkin rings from scrap leather
Plus, I'll throw some copies of Roll-a-Turkey on the table (a fun Thanksgiving dice game to entertain the kids).
Speaking of magnolia leaves as easy Thanksgiving table decor, that is also the first component in today's project.
With the addition of a wicker tray from our dining room buffet, succulents that were never planted in the ground, and the last pumpkins from a local fruit stand's fall season... I pulled together a pretty fall centerpiece in minutes.
How to Make a Thanksgiving Centerpiece with Pumpkins, Magnolia, and Succulents
How to Make a Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Pull together a simple Thanksgiving centerpiece that features a collection of pumpkins, succulents, and magnolia leaves.
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- First, set the candle holder in the center of the tray.
- Once the leaves are in place, set the candle holder in the center of the tray.
- Then, place 2-3 succulents in pots around the candle and atop the leaves.
- Next, tuck pumpkins and gourds in between the succulents until the tray is mostly full.
- Once the pumpkins are in place, it's time to place the magnolia leaves.
- Cut several branches from a magnolia tree in order to attain 20-40 blemish-free leaves (depending on the size of your tray).
- Clip the leaves from the branches.
- Tuck the leaves under the pumpkins and under the edges of the pots. The leaves should be arranged bottom (brown) side down and with the leaf stem toward the middle of the tray. The tips of most leaves should protrude over the edges of the tray.
- Finally, set the tray atop a vintage crochet lace table runner.
Since we celebrated Thanksgiving several weeks early, we get to enjoy this for a few weeks before our cottage Christmas decor and magnolia blossom Southern Christmas tree goes up.
Of course, this beautiful centerpiece isn't just suitable for Thanksgiving. The arrangement would be lovely for the entire fall season.
In fact, you could even preserve the magnolia leaves, swap out the pumpkins for ornaments, and use it through the Christmas season, too! (Speaking of ornaments with magnolia, you'll find that and many more ideas in this post about 25+ ways to decorate with magnolia leaves).
Like this fall decor idea? You might also like:
- How to Make Fabric Pumpkins from Cloth Napkins
- Fall Porch Decor with Purple and Pink Mums
Want to save this Thanksgiving centerpiece idea? Pin it!
Very nice one! I love the simplicity yet the originality of the piece.
Thanks, Erika!
I love how you mixed succulents with pumpkins! I wouldn't have thought of it, and it turned out lovely!
Thanks! I just happened to see them in my flower bed, and it worked out perfectly.
So pretty! I really love this. I love succulents, and the color of that one pumpkin is so cool. Hope you had a nice celebration.
Thanks, it was a lovely day! That pumpkin is my favorite 🙂
Love this centerpiece, especially with the touch of the succulent!
Thanks!