Beautiful Thanksgiving Decor Ideas on a Shoestring Budget

Oct 22, 2024 | YouTube

Today, I’m sharing Thanksgiving decor ideas that are quick, inexpensive, and will give your home that cozy, fall vibe without adding too much clutter.

Farm Fresh Pumpkin Crate

I’m starting with my absolute favorite DIY fall project! I used two crates from Dollarama (but Dollar Tree also carries smaller ones), and Dollar Tree foam pumpkins to create a Farm Fresh Pumpkin crate. Here’s how you can do it too:

  • Step 1: Stain the crates with a walnut stain using a foam brush. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just a quick coat will do!
  • Step 2: Base coat the foam pumpkins in any color you like. I used beige as the base, then dry brushed different shades of blue and white over the top for a rustic look.
  • Step 3: Glue some burlap around the pumpkins, and use foam to give them height inside the crate.
  • Step 4: I added a “Farm Fresh Pumpkins” decal using my Cricut, but you can hand-paint it or use stickers!

This project turned out stunning and looks way more expensive than it was. Total win!

Rustic Wooden Pumpkin Sign

This simple yet elegant project is another Dollar Tree gem. You’ll need a wooden pumpkin cutout, twine, and some paint.

  • Step 1: Stain the pumpkin in your choice of color. I used a walnut stain and added a whitewash effect by dry brushing watered-down white paint in a crescent shape to mimic the natural lines of a pumpkin.
  • Step 2: Cover the stem with twine, and hot glue a metal word cutout and some leaves to complete the look.
  • Step 3: I added blue leaves from the Dollar Tree to tie in with my color scheme, but you can customize it with any color!

It’s a simple simple way to add rustic charm to your home, and it costs next to nothing.

Pumpkin Door Hanger

Forget traditional wreaths—this year, I made a rustic pumpkin door hanger! Everything, from the pumpkin cutout to the leaves, came from the Dollar Tree.

  • Step 1: Paint the wooden pumpkin with a base coat of Annie Sloan Provence paint. Once dry, I dry brushed light gray, dark blue, and white over it to create a distressed, rustic pumpkin look.
  • Step 2: Wrap the stem with twine, and hot glue on some painted leaves, small pumpkins, acorns, and pinecones for a fall touch.

It’s such a unique alternative to a wreath, and it looks gorgeous hanging on my front door.

Farmhouse Fall Sign

Big farmhouse signs are all the rage, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get that high-end look. Here’s what I did.   I had my local hardware store cut pieces of wood for the backboard and the frame. Next I painted the backboard white and stained the frame with a walnut stain. If your wood doesn’t stain well, you can whitewash it, like I did.  Then I used a Cricut (or vinyl letters) to add my favorite fall quote or phrase.

This sign adds a warm and cozy farmhouse vibe to any room, and it only cost me around $10!

DIY Blanket Scarves

You can never have too many blanket scarves in fall, and they’re so easy (and cheap!) to make yourself.

  • Step 1: Go to your local fabric store and buy a yard and a half of fabric in a pattern you love.
  • Step 2: Fray the edges by pulling out the loose strings. That’s it—your scarf is done!

For just $3, you’ll have a cozy, stylish blanket scarf that fits no matter how much pumpkin pie you eat!

Pumpkin Spice DIYs

Pumpkin spice isn’t just for lattes! Here are two ways to bring that fall smell into your home:

  • DIY Pumpkin Spice: Mix 4 teaspoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ginger, 1 teaspoon of cloves, and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg. Sprinkle it on everything!
  • Pumpkin Potpourri: Hollow out a small pumpkin, rub pumpkin spice on the inside of the lid, add a tea light, and enjoy the amazing smell of pumpkin pie wafting through your home!

Magic Milk Cleaner with Fall Scents

Cleaning and fall aromas all in one? Yes, please! This DIY cleaner is perfect for keeping your home smelling amazing while you tidy up:

Ingredients for DIY Magic Milk Cleaner (Fall Blend)
1 cup warm water
1 cup rubbing alcohol
5 drops of orange essential oil
5 drops cinnamon essential oil
2 drops each of vanilla, nutmeg and clove essential oil

  • Step 1: Mix equal parts warm water and rubbing alcohol, then add a teaspoon of cornstarch and shake well.
  • Step 2: For a fall scent, add 5 drops each of orange and cinnamon essential oils, and 2 drops each of nutmeg, vanilla, and clove.

This cleaner works wonders on all surfaces, and the fall aroma will make you want to keep cleaning!

Simple Fall Garland

This quick and easy fall garland only requires Dollar Tree burlap leaves and twine.

  • Step 1: Simply slide the leaves onto the twine using the wires attached to them—no glue or hassle required.
  • Step 2: Drape it across your fireplace, a window, or anywhere you need a quick fall touch.

Done in under a minute, this fall banner adds instant coziness to any space.

Even if seasonal décor isn’t your thing, I encourage you to refresh your space. Whether it’s rearranging furniture or updating artwork, small changes can make a big difference. Decorating for Thanksgiving or Fall doesn’t have to mean clutter—it can be simple, beautiful, and totally budget-friendly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Check out more Fall & Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Here:

Clutter Free Fall decorating:

Fall Cleaning Routine & Free checklist:

Simple ways to cozy up your home for Fall

My Fall Faves Amazon Shopping list: