Decorating For Thanksgiving On A Budget

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; who can say no to great food, time with family & endless desserts? While hosting, decorating and cooking can be stressful, remember to focus on what's important - the people around you - rather than the finest dishes and charger sets. 

Here are my tips for having an HGTV dream thanksgiving set up, without breaking the bank.

1.Paper Plates Are Your Friend

Think of your future self - you just finished Thanksgiving dinner, you’re full & can barely waddle over to the couch; you look over at the sink, and it’s empty. There are no dishes to wash, and clean up that feels endless. I found these adorable plates in a pack of 24 for $3 at Hobby Lobby. Pair it with some cute napkins, and some natural tones (I used a roll of burlap ribbon for the runner, and dollar store twine to wrap the utensils) and you’ve got a perfect place setting.

2. Shop Craft Stores

Shockingly - I found the BEST stuff to decorate (on a budget) at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby & Joann’s. Comparing the prices for similar products from TJMaxx, or HomeGoods - there’s no question that craft stores are the way to go.

3. Dollar Store Hacks

Become the DIY master you’ve always dreamed of! The dollar store (any of them, but I prefer Dollar General or Family Dollar), has some surprisingly great finds. I made my wreath with their fake fall leaves, plain vine wreath and pumpkins. What would have been a $50 wreath, you can make for ~$15.

4. Outdoor Tips

Keep it easy. With the unpredictable weather in November, mums can die easily, and pumpkins from Halloween will rot if you forget about them. I used hay bales, fake pumpkins and a cute fall welcome mat from Target to spruce up my entry. You can find hay bales at most craft stores, or grocery stores. Pro Tip: Grocery stores have the BEST outdoor plants if you decide to try mums despite the weather.

I hope you find these tips helpful! Be sure to share photos of your Thanksgiving set up.