Easy Last Minute Thanksgiving Centerpiece DIY for 2021

a small coral peanut pumpkin sits on a wooden cake stand as part of a fall tablescape the text reads thanksgiving centerpiece DIY easy fall table decor

I’m going to show you how to put together a quick, last-minute Thanksgiving centerpiece DIY that’s a perfect addition to your fall decor.

The point of this centerpiece is to use things you already have and to purchase affordable, natural elements because they smell amazing and help you bring the outdoors in while you enjoy your Thanksgiving meal.

There is no need to find centerpiece items by running around to every store in town. In fact, you can make this centerpiece two days before Thanksgiving if that’s all the time you have.

I wanted to use walnuts in the shell, baby apples, little artichokes, tiny pears, and/or small persimmons. I couldn’t find any of them when I was shopping for this fall centerpiece DIY in mid-October so I went to 2 stores and got what I could. And, I’m very happy with how this Thanksgiving table decoration turned out even if it wasn’t what I envisioned.

The eucalyptus garland is artificial and I also use it as part of my Christmas decor. The cake stand is new and will be used in my new kitchen and for other centerpieces. We love re-use here at Joy Us garden!

It’s pretty easy to find fresh materials at your local grocery stores like Trader Joe’s. During the fall, many of them will sell wheat bundles, mums, foliages, berry branches, and gourds.

Putting together this Thanksgiving centerpiece:

How to Make Your Own Thanksgiving Centerpiece DIY

These tablescapes are really easy to make but there’s one thing that you should really think about when you’re making them: they should be long and low. Make sure that you can see over your centerpiece because you want to be able to easily share food with and see your loved ones!

You want to determine the shape and structure of your centerpiece before you shop. Do you want it to run the length of the table or part of the table? I’m not using placemats, but if you are, be sure to leave enough room for them, glasses, plates, etc.

Use colors you like that go with your decor. Options are all white / white & green / all green / copper, orange & white/ coral & grey / grey & orange / jazzyy jewel tones / orange & white / white & terra cotta / white, gold & purple / all gold / gold & copper / neutrals / burgundy & green

A sampling of the materials used – a combo of real & artificial.

Materials:

Table runner
Cake stand
Eucalyptus garland
Pumpkins
Wheat
Seeded Eucalyptus
Gourds
Candles
Pinecones

Table Runner and Garland

Select a festive table runner that matches your table. I put the runner on the table along with the cake stand and have the garland going around and running almost the length of the table.

I’ve left a little space on each end of the table so there is room to place butter, gravy, cranberry sauce, or whatever small dishes will fit!

Cake Stand

Pick an item that will help you display the focal point of your centerpiece. In the pictures here, you can see a wooden cake stand which I decorated with a small peanut pumpkin purchased at our Tucson farmers market, along with eucalyptus and wheat from Trader Joe’s.

Natural Elements like Wheat and Eucalyptus

I used all sorts of natural elements to adorn the cake stand and you can leave it partially exposed or cover it completely. The eucalyptus dries beautifully, and you can do these steps ahead of time if you’d like.

close up of a small peanut pumpkin, burgundy mums, wheat heads, a wooden cake stand & eucalyptus garland on a table as fall decor

I also purchased some fresh floral which I placed in small plant cups that I bought years ago to make simple, yet beautiful arrangements. I tucked some of the deep plum mums into the cake stand too. I also have 2 stems of protea in each. It’s very long-lasting too.

close up of burgundy mums in a small bronze plant cup on a burlap table runner with eucalyptus garland

Candles

The next step here is adding in some candles. I purchased ivory votive candles in metal cups. The cups were silver and I painted them very quickly in fall tones so they would match my color scheme.

I purchased some small slabs of wood that are actually used for making Christmas tree ornaments. They work perfectly for candle holders.

Taper candles are another great option along with the popular flameless pillar candles.

a collage of 2 close up photos of a thanksgiving centerpieces 1 shows a pillar candle a taper candle & 3 tea candles the other shows a pillar candle — Keep your candles away from your foliage when they’re lit!

Pumpkins and Gourds

Now it’s time to place the gourds! I chose them in shades of white and ivory, and of course, we got a couple of white pumpkins too. They add a lovely, seasonal touch to the centerpiece.

close up of a fall tablescape with a burlap tale runner eucalyptus garland tea candles on a piece of bark a tomatillo & a pinecone — I also found some tomatillos at the store that I thought would help add some greenery.

Pinecones

Finally, we’re ready to add in the finishing touches. I have some pine cones that I glittered years ago. They have a little shimmer that I don’t mind at all, especially when the tea candles are lit.

close up of a thanksgiving centerpiece with a burlap table runner a glittered pinecone a green & white gourd tea candles & eucalyptus garland — Pinecones are very easy to find this time of year and they can last for years to come. I collected these cones and have had them for at least 4 years now. Of course, I use them for Christmas decorating also.

What Does Our Last Minute Thanksgiving Centerpiece Look Like?

As you can see, this centerpiece was put together at the last minute, but it’s so warm and welcoming! Many of these items can be used over and over again. The fresh floral arrangements and pumpkins and vegetables are also affordable additions.

close up fall table decor with a burlap table runner, gourds, pinecones, burgundy mums in bronze votive cups, tea candles & eucalyptus garland — See how all the pieces come together to make a beautiful last-minute Thanksgiving centerpiece DIY!

a thanksgiving centerpiece diy consisting of eucalyptus garland, gourds, pinecones, tea candles, a peanut pumpkin on a cake stand, wheat heads & burgundy mums — When you make your own Thanksgiving tablescape, it’s very easy to customize and make it your own. I tucked in cut mums and wheat heads throughout the length of the centerpiece at the last minute just to show you what it would look like.

close up of a fall table decorated with a burlap table runner, eucalyptus garland, burgundy mums, wheat heads, tomatillos, gourds, pinecones, tea candles, & persimmons — I bought these little persimmons at our farmers market a few days after we filmed this DIY. I love the pop of bright color they add-in.

I want to leave you with some other decor options you can think about using for your DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece. Pomegranates, apples, pears, artichokes, peppers, persimmons, nuts in the shell, fall leaves, roses, carnations, orchids, fall berries, foliages, gourds and pumpkins in other colors, and mini mason jars.

Just want to wish you a very happy holiday season and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving!