Looking for centerpiece ideas for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table? Try this super simple centerpiece idea to complete your Thanksgiving aesthetic.

I just love a beautiful centerpiece, don’t you? It makes a table feel special.

No matter how elaborate or simple a centerpiece is, it is a necessary component of any dining table.

Whether you buy or DIY a centerpiece, don’t skip this step when decorating a table.

And if you are attending Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving at a friend or family’s home, offer to bring the centerpiece.

It’s a nice touch!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I LOVE making centerpieces.

And fall is one of my favorite times of year to make them too.

It’s so fun to change up autumn color palettes and fall flowers in different arrangements like THIS one and THIS one.

Whether I cut flowers from garden, pick them up from the market, or go totally faux, centerpieces are my jam!

And have I got a simple one for you to try for this year’s Thanksgiving aesthetic!

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What is Thanksgiving Decor

Thanksgiving decor refers to the various decorative elements and items used to adorn homes, tables, and living spaces during the holiday season.

These diy Thanksgiving decorations are intended to create a warm and festive atmosphere that reflects the spirit and traditions of the holiday.

Common Thanksgiving decor ideas include:

  • Table Settings: This includes tablecloths, runners, placemats, and coordinating dinnerware, glassware, and flatware.
  • Centerpieces: Thanksgiving centerpieces often feature seasonal elements such as pumpkins, gourds, candles, fall foliage, and flowers.
  • Autumnal Colors: Decorations often incorporate warm, earthy colors like orange, red, yellow, and brown, reflecting the hues of fall foliage.
  • Wreaths: Many people hang wreaths on their doors or walls, often made from dried leaves, berries, and other autumn-inspired elements.
  • Candles: Candles in fall-themed holders or candleholders made from natural materials like wood or metal are popular.
  • Cornucopias: The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is a classic Thanksgiving symbol representing abundance. It’s often filled with fall fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
  • Pilgrim and Native American Figures: Figurines and decorations featuring Pilgrims and Native Americans are sometimes used to symbolize the historical origins of Thanksgiving.
  • Fall Harvest Items: Decorative items like straw bales, hay stacks, and scarecrows evoke the feeling of a rural harvest festival.
  • Seasonal Textiles: Thanksgiving decor might also include throw blankets, pillows, and decorative towels with autumnal motifs.
  • DIY Crafts: Many people enjoy creating their own Thanksgiving decor through DIY projects, such as homemade wreaths, hand-painted signs, and other crafty items.

Overall, Thanksgiving decoration ideas should create a warm and inviting atmosphere that pays tribute to the spirit of gratitude, family gatherings, and the beauty of autumn as it helps set the mood for a memorable and festive gathering.

crystal chandelier above french country farmhouse table set for friendsgiving with fresh flowers and pumpkin dining table centerpie and candles

About Thanksgiving Decorations for the Table

Thanksgiving decorations for the table are a delightful way to infuse the dining experience with festive charm and warmth.

From elegant table runners and textured placemats to seasonal dinnerware and gleaming candleholders, the right decorations can transform your table into a Thanksgiving masterpiece.

Incorporating earthy elements like mini pumpkins, gourds, and vibrant fall foliage arrangements adds a touch of nature’s beauty to your setting.

Don’t forget the essential finishing touches: personalized place cards, cozy napkin rings, and perhaps a scattering of autumn-themed confetti to tie the whole look together.

These Thanksgiving decor ideas not only enhance the visual appeal of your table but also set the stage for a heartfelt celebration of gratitude and togetherness on this special day.

dining table set for friensgiving brunch with candles, pumpkins, greenery and beautiful centerpiece with fresh flowers and pumpkins

The Importance of a Dining Table Centerpiece for Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving centerpiece is an essential element of the table, serving as the heart of the holiday feast. It adds warmth, charm, and a sense of occasion to the gathering.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it embodies the spirit of gratitude and family togetherness, creating a focal point where loved ones can come together to share stories, enjoy a special meal, and reflect on the blessings of the year.

Whether it’s a traditional cornucopia or a modern, personalized creation, the centerpiece plays a vital role in making Thanksgiving memorable and meaningful.

Moreover, a thoughtfully designed Thanksgiving centerpiece can reflect the essence of the holiday, with elements like seasonal flowers, foliage, and symbolic items like pumpkins and candles.

Simple Centerpiece Idea for Your Thanksgiving Aesthetic

How to Make a Flower Centerpiece in a Pumpkin

If you are looking for some Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with a rustic vibe, you’ve got to try this simple DIY.

I’ve made this type of centerpiece a few times and always love how it turns out. You can make them super simple like the one I’m sharing today or more elaborate depending on what type of flowers you use.

For this table, I’m going with a less-is-more approach. But you can do so much more with fresh-cut flowers either from your garden or the market.

But First, A little back story about my first pumpkin and flowers centerpiece…

Several years ago, I made a gorgeous centerpiece for my Thanksgiving aesthetic and it was a huge hit.

I spent almost ALL DAY making it the day before Thanksgiving that year. Because I picked up the pumpkins so late in the season, the nursery gave them to me for free.

And I purchased fresh flowers from the market.

Vintage centerpiece idea using fresh pumpkins and flowers

Now I realize this picture does my arrangement no justice because it is so old, but trust me…it looked so amazing at the time! I even tucked in a few gorgeous leaves from my oakleaf hydrangea.

So I hosted Thanksgiving the next day and my guests loved it.

Anyway, we were leaving the next day for Vermont to get an early ski weekend with some friends and their kids.

Chris and I packed the family up and we left first thing Friday morning. When we returned on Monday, the house SMELLED SO BAD!!!!

Like…really bad.

And when I say it was bad, you couldn’t even breathe it in bad because you’d get physically ill.

I immediately ran to the dining room and discovered the pumpkins rotted over the weekend, leaked, and totally ruined my wood farmhouse table.

UGH!!!! It was such a mess!

I learned a BIG lesson from this first one.

Always, always, ALWAYS protect the surface underneath if using fresh pumpkins.

Because trust me when I tell you, rotting pumpkins are NOT worth the risk.

So if you make this pumpkin and flowers centerpiece, be sure to protect the table beneath and keep and eye on it after the event.

But I digress.

Now let’s make a simple pumpkin and flowers centerpiece for the dining table.

Getting ready to make a Simple Centerpiece Idea for your Thanksgiving Aesthetic

Complete Your Thanksgiving Aesthetic With This Simple Pumpkin and Flowers Centerpiece

So it’s been a while since I’ve made one of these and thought it was a good time to share it again.

It’s not only perfect for a fall dinner party, but it is even more festive for Thanksgiving or a Friendsgiving dinner.

Supplies Needed

Carving the pumpkins to make Simple Centerpiece for a Thanksgiving Aesthetic

Directions to Make a Simple Pumpkin and Flowers Centerpiece

For my table, I decided to go with 3 mid-sized sugar pumpkins.

I was between doing one large pumpkin centerpiece vs. the three, but the mums I found weren’t large enough so I went with three smaller ones.

See what works best for you and your table.

removing the top of the pumpkin to hollow it out to make a simple thanksgiving centerpiece for dining table
  • Clean off the pumpkins.
  • Then carefully cut a circle in the top to remove the stem as if you are carving the pumpkin, then set aside.
  • Clean out the insides.
  • Determine the right height for your mums or other flowers. Raise it up if you need to.
  • Water the mums well before tucking inside the pumpkins.
  • Set the water tray inside the pumpkins, then set the mums on the tray.
  • Water the mums as needed. You can tell if it needs it using THIS method or by using a soil moisture meter like this.
Removing the pumpkin flesh to make pumpkin soup for my thanksgiving aesthetic
Adding a plant saucer to hollowed out pumpking before adding flowers to simple dining table centerpiece idea for my thanksgiving aesthetic
Not the roundest of cuts to the top of the pumpkin, but it will be hidden by the flowers. LOL!

A few notes to keep in mind…

If you opt to do an arrangement, instead of mums as I did here, you can use floral foam like I did in THIS arrangement or you can use a vase, mason jar, or something similar.

But it really depends on the size of your pumpkin and what type of arrangement you decide to do.

If you want a more neutral-looking tablescape, consider white pumpkins and gourds or painting the pumpkins to coordinate with your Thanksgiving aesthetic.

Thanks so much for dropping by! I hope you enjoy a wonderful Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving Day!

Simple Centerpiece Idea for your Thanksgiving Aesthetic

More About Making a Simple Centerpiece for Thanksgiving

Have you ever made a pumpkin centerpiece before? Do you make your own centerpiece for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving? How do you like to make yours? Do you have any tips you’d like to share? would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

fresh flowers and heirloom pumpkin centerpiece idea for the dining table with zinnias, dahlias, sedum autumn joy, ivy, celosia and boxwood

Get My FREE Thanksgiving Essentials Ebook

Getting ready for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving? CLICK HERE to get my free 25-page downloadable Thanksgiving Essentials Ebook that shares decorating ideas, hosting tips, recipes, and ways guests can support hosts.

close up of mcintosh apples in a ceramic bowl

More Thanksgiving Ideas

If you are looking for more Thanksgiving Day ideas and inspiration, check out these posts. From hosting gifts to table decor, food, and menu ideas, I’ve got you covered.

dining room decorated for fall with crystal chandelier and neutral pumpkin centerpiece

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thanksgiving decoration ideas for the table with pumpkins, chrysanthemums and diy thanksgiving decorations
Thanksgiving aesthetic
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Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Stacy Ling
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The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
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  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
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Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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25 Comments

  1. Pingback: Ideas for Friendsgiving Dining Table Centerpiece - The Ponds Farmhouse
  2. Pingback: How to Set A Beautiful Friendsgiving Tablescape: Plum & Copper Accents – Open Doors Open Hearts
  3. Pingback: Simple And Beautiful DIY Artichoke And Magnolia Centerpiece - Midwest Life and Style Blog
  4. Stacey!!! I love your mums and pumpkins!! I can’t believe that pumpkin from years past rotted so fast!! It did look gorgeous though!! So glad you shared that experience, so I can keep an eye on my pumpkin flower arrangement haha!!! So glad you were able to join us for this hop!!

    1. Thank you so much! Oh yes – I think because we were away it was worse than if I was home, but def keep an eye on it. It wrecked my wood table top! Thanks so much for hosting such a great blog hop! xoxo

  5. Pingback: Fall Harvest Tablescape - Cottage On Bunker Hill
  6. I LOVE this idea, Stacy. I’ve always wanted to try it but never gotten around to it. Thank you for sharing. It looks beautiful and I’m definitely going to give it a try now. Pinned!

  7. Pingback: How to Create a Vintage Fall Tablescape for Friendsgiving – Simply2moms
  8. What a pretty centerpiece idea, Stacy! Love how the fresh pumpkins look with the mums. And ugh, ruining a table with rotten pumpkins is awful! I’m sorry that happened but thank you for sharing your lesson because that’s TOTALLY something I would do…

  9. Can you believe I am this many years old and have never hollowed out a pumpkin!! This looks so pretty!!

  10. What a beautiful and unique pumpkin centerpiece Stacy!! I love this idea! And seriously never would have known about protecting your table underneath them! But now that you say it – I was like ohhhh yea… ;)! Your table looks gorgeous my friend!!

  11. Stacy I have always wanted to try one of these! Yours are beautiful and your tutorial was just wonderful. Thank you for the inspiration!

  12. Pingback: Saturday Shares | Vol. 28 - Cottage On Bunker Hill
  13. This is such a great centerpiece idea, Stacy! Thanks for sharing your pumpkin “lessons learned” tip. I would have never even thought about that.

  14. Pingback: 5 Friendsgiving Party Essentials | She Gave It A Go