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Shades of Autumn

Here's a theme that couldn't be simpler. You can decorate just by walking in your backyard or through your local park with a stop at a local nursery...or you can let us help (and keep some of the decorations for next year—we won't tell!).

Outside

Create a walkway with bales of hay stacked this way and that to make a path right to your door. Get a Thanksgiving banner (MP) from us or at any local store or consider a Thanksgiving Banner to greet everyone. If you have young children, you can let them decorate the door with cut-outs of pumpkins, turkeys, pilgrims and more. Add real pumpkins with leaves underneath on your steps or on nearby ledges and rails. Nothing screams fall like pumpkins, autumn leaves and the crisp cold air that usually accompanies Thanksgiving!

Foyer

There are some great scene setters available that make creating a fall atmosphere easy, quick and inexpensive.  I really like the 65” Turkey and pumpkins scene setter.

A display of balloon pumpkins with vines would be fun and would make a great corner decoration without being too much if you know what I mean.

Buffets

Some people forget the buffet, and it's as important as your dinner table. A pair of autumn candles or other candles, pumpkins small and large, casserole dishes touched up with leaf garland etc., all make for a finished look that pulls through the theme.

Table

This is the fun part. I love making a table look like a feast is about to appear. I always set the table to the max. A charger (a large plate under the dinner plate), a dinner plate, a salad plate—stacked at each place on top of leaves that work as placemats. If you're using paper (we have several to choose from), use a real plate under the larger dinner plate for a finished look. Either on top of this setting or in the wine glass, display the napkin—either wrapped with leaf garland or doubled over and fluffed in the glass. If there's room on the table for a centerpiece, use a straw cornucopia filled with leaves and autumn fruits and vegetables. If there isn't, don't worry about it. Scatter Fall Leaf Confetti on the table, place candles at each end and maybe a favor or two at each place.

Favors

Go to your local candy store and you'll find plenty of candy, gumballs and more that will work as a favor. Pumpkin jaw breakers wrapped in a cello bag tied off with orange and brown ribbon or garland or a chocolate turkey on a stick are both fun.

Of course, one of Party411’s Creations for You candy bar wrappers let’s you personalize your party

Other fun ideas

Take a Pilgrim Hat, turn it upside down and put it on the buffet filled with rolls (and later with turkey-shaped cookies).

Use mini-pumpkins or tissue pumpkins as place cards for each guest, one at each place or on a table at the door with name and table number (if you have multiple tables).

Give each guest a tray of Thanksgiving cookies to take home as a thank you, wrapped in a cellophane basket bag and tagged off with something cute (Only a turkey would have missed this meal!) or something warm and fuzzy (From our house to yours – Thanks for coming!).

Here's a theme that couldn't be simpler. You can decorate just by walking in your backyard or through your local park with a stop at a local nursery...or you can let us help (and keep some of the décor for next year—we won't tell!).