How to Create Thanksgiving Place Cards and Personalised Table Settings
As Thanksgiving draws near, it’s time to add those special touches to your holiday table. Place cards and personalised table settings not only add elegance but also make guests feel warmly welcomed. Whether you’re planning a formal gathering or a cozy family meal, these ideas will help you create beautiful, unique place settings for everyone at your table.
1. Choose Your Style
Begin by deciding on the style and color scheme for your place cards and table settings. Here are some popular options:
Rustic: Earthy tones, twine, and kraft paper for a natural feel.
Classic: Whites and golds, calligraphy fonts, and elegant borders.
Modern: Clean lines, minimalist design, and monochromatic shades.
Think about the table decor you already have, like your centerpiece or napkins, and coordinate your place cards to match.
2. DIY Place Card Ideas
Handwritten Place Cards
- Materials: Thick card stock, a calligraphy pen, or any pen with a fine tip.
For a simple yet heartfelt touch, handwritten place cards are a lovely addition to any Thanksgiving table. To create these, gather some thick cardstock along with a calligraphy pen or any fine-tip pen. Begin by cutting the cardstock into small rectangles that will serve as the base for each name.
Then, write each guest’s name in a calligraphy style—if you’re not a calligraphy pro, try a faux technique by using a fine pen and thickening the downstrokes to mimic the look of true calligraphy. For added flair, draw a small embellishment, like a tiny pumpkin or leaf, in the corner of each card to enhance the holiday theme. And, if you are the person to go over-the-top, try a decorative sprig with small, round, orange and green berries over a rustic soft grey linen napkin.
To ensure everything looks perfect, practice on scrap paper before starting on the actual cards, and use faint pencil lines for guidance if needed.
Mini Pumpkins with Name Tags
Materials: Small pumpkins, kraft tags, twine or ribbon, and a marker.
To add a festive and seasonal flair to your table, mini pumpkins make charming place cards that guests will love. Start by gathering small pumpkins along with kraft tags, twine or ribbon, and a marker. Write each guest’s name on a kraft tag, then punch a hole at the top of each tag.
Attach the tags to the pumpkin stems by threading twine or ribbon through the holes and tying it in a simple knot or bow. Finally, place one pumpkin at each setting to mark each guest’s place. For a polished, cohesive look, try selecting pumpkins in similar sizes and colors.
Pressed Leaves with Names
Materials: Fallen leaves (pressed to dry), a white or metallic pen.
For a beautifully rustic and natural touch, pressed leaves with names make for charming place markers on your Thanksgiving table. Begin by collecting large, intact fallen leaves—oak and maple leaves work particularly well and bring a rich array of autumnal colors.
To prepare the leaves, press them between the pages of a heavy book for a day or two to dry them out and flatten them. Once they’re ready, use a white or metallic pen to write each guest’s name directly onto a leaf, then set the personalized leaves on top of each plate or napkin at your table. The result is a warm, seasonal touch that blends beautifully with fall decor.
3. Adding Personal Touches to Table Settings
Personalised Napkin Rings
Materials: Cardstock, hot glue, metallic pen.
Personalized napkin rings are an elegant way to combine decoration with a personal touch for each guest. Start by cutting cardstock into strips about 1 inch wide and 5 inches long—these will form the base of your napkin rings. Using a metallic pen, write each guest’s name along the length of the strip to create a unique, custom look.
Once you’ve added the names, roll each strip into a ring shape and secure it with a dab of hot glue. For a festive, aromatic accent, consider tucking small sprigs of rosemary, cinnamon sticks, or tiny pine cones into the ring. These personalized napkin rings add a lovely detail to your table while warmly welcoming each guest.
Custom Coasters
Materials: Cork coasters, a metallic marker, or acrylic paint.
Custom coasters are a thoughtful and unique touch that guests can enjoy during the meal and even take home as a keepsake. Begin with cork coasters and a metallic marker or some acrylic paint. Personalize each coaster by writing the guest’s name or a short Thanksgiving message like “Give Thanks” or “Grateful.”
To add more detail, decorate the edges with simple designs, such as small dots or leaf motifs, which give each coaster a festive flair. If you’re using paint, consider applying a sealant spray once the designs are dry to make sure the artwork remains intact, allowing these coasters to be cherished long after Thanksgiving.
4. Seasonal Place Card Holders
Pine Cone Place Card Holders
Materials: Pine cones, small place cards.
Pine cone place card holders are a simple yet charming way to incorporate nature into your table decor. Start by gathering pine cones and small place cards that will hold each guest’s name. Carefully insert each place card between the scales of the pine cone, ensuring the name faces upward for easy readability. If a pine cone doesn’t stand upright, you can glue a small piece of cardboard to its base to provide extra stability. For a touch of festive sparkle, consider dusting the pine cones lightly with glitter or spraying them with a hint of gold paint. These natural place card holders add warmth and rustic charm to the table setting.
Wine Cork Holders
Materials: Wine corks, place cards, and a knife or craft blade.
Wine cork holders are a chic, eco-friendly way to display place cards, adding a unique and personal touch to the table. Begin by gathering recycled wine corks, place cards, and a knife or craft blade. Carefully slice a small slit along the top of each cork, just wide enough to hold a place card securely. Once the slits are made, simply slide each card into place, and you’re ready to go. For added stability, especially if the corks tend to roll, consider hot gluing two corks together in pairs. These cork holders are a charming, sustainable addition to any table setting.
5. Layered Table Settings with Personalised Touches
Layering plates, napkins, and other elements at each setting can create a luxurious feel. Here’s how to build a beautiful, layered table setting:
Chargers and Plates: Begin with a decorative charger as the base, followed by a dinner plate and a smaller salad plate. This layering adds depth and texture.
Napkin Placement: Place a folded napkin on the top plate and add a personalised touch, like a place card or mini pumpkin, directly on the napkin.
Flatware and Glassware: Position forks, knives, and spoons on either side of the plates, and set glasses slightly above and to the right. For a personalised touch, consider small wine charms with each guest’s initial.
6. Finishing Touches
Little extras can make the table feel even more inviting.
Mini Candles: Place a small votive candle near each setting for a cozy glow.
Individual Thank-You Notes: Write a short message of thanks to each guest, expressing gratitude for their presence. Fold the note and place it under the place card or tie it to a small favor, like a bundle of herbs.
You can find more inspired ideas to create a stunning centrepiece for your Thanksgiving table and more from our earlier article.
Final Thoughts
Creating personalised Thanksgiving place cards and table settings adds a warm, thoughtful touch that makes guests feel cherished. These DIY ideas don’t require much time or expense, yet they transform a table setting into something memorable. So this Thanksgiving, get creative, enjoy the process, and celebrate with a beautiful, welcoming table!
