17 DIY Place Cards for Your Thanksgiving Table

Plan out your tablescape ahead of time

Whether you shop for decorations a few weeks beforehand or even brainstorm ideas with a quick sketch, it’s wise to have a clear idea about the contents and layout of your table before the big day. If you’re not sure where to start, it often helps to decide on a color scheme or an overall theme and build from there. For instance, you might opt for a traditional look with red, green, and gold accents that remind you of Christmases gone by. Or, you may want to try out a more minimalist look this year and experiment with rising trends like eco-friendly decorations.

It's easy to get a little carried away when you’re being creative, but try to make sure that your table is still practical and comfortable for your guests, as well as looking beautiful. In between the decorations, centerpieces, and place settings, be sure to leave enough space for plates, glasses, serving dishes, and any other essential items you’ll need to use. This way, no one will feel cramped or short of space enjoying their meal! To save time, you may also want to lay your dining table the night before — this means you can focus on opening presents and preparing dinner on the day, knowing that you’ve got a beautiful tablescape ready and waiting.

Choose the right homeware

Even though they serve a practical function, your plates, bowls, and serving dishes play a large part in the overall aesthetic of your table too. You may have a dedicated set of ceramics that you use for Christmas, but if you don’t, it can be just as effective to use some of your favorite neutral staples. Especially if you’re using décor like a patterned tablecloth or bright centerpiece, you can balance this out by using classic pieces in understated colors. This is why investing in durable ceramics that last is always worthwhile: you can make use of them all year round.

Other essential pieces like cast-iron cookware, serving platters, and mugs are all perfect for the festive season, as they allow you to serve everything from appetizers and main meals to comforting hot drinks easily. As well as ceramics, don’t forget to add some of your best glassware to serve up the wine, Champagne, or festive cocktails you’ll toast with during dinner.

Using versatile or more neutral pieces like these also allows you to be more flexible. For example, if you need to add an extra seat at the table, using more understated homeware means you won’t have to use plates in drastically different colors or patterns. This will help you maintain a coherent theme for the table, even if your plans change to accommodate friends, family, or neighbors. After all, the more the merrier!

Forage for a natural centerpiece

With the popularity of eco-friendly Christmas decorations on the rise, why not make your own centerpiece with natural foliage? Not only is this a more sustainable way to decorate, but foraging in your local woodland area is a fun, festive activity you can do with the whole family. So, wrap up warm and look out for classic Christmas plants like holly, mistletoe, berries, and evergreen branches like fir or pine. Just be sure to only take what you need and never trespass onto private land when foraging.

When making your own centerpiece, you might take a more relaxed approach and simply lay out your plants across the middle of your table, interspersing this with candle holders, baubles, and any other accessories you have on hand. However, if you’re a little short on space you might make a smaller, more contained piece like a wreath or display them in a ceramic milk jug for a rustic, farmhouse look.

Add some personal touches

You may want to keep your theme more traditional and opt for a classic Christmas look, but if you want to add a little something different, then it’s always fun to include some personal touches — whether they’re for you or your guests. One way of doing this is with your place settings, as you can often make these yourself and have full creative freedom. You might leave a small gift box with a little personalized gift inside, adding a handwritten name tag for each guest. Or, keep it classic with simple name cards and add a few sprigs of the holly or mistletoe you foraged earlier.

Once your place settings are laid, you can also add a personal touch with the glassware you pick out for each guest. For example, if one of your family members loves to toast with a glass of Champagne, make sure to provide them with a nice crystal flute. Whether they like a glass of wine, whiskey, or a hot toddy, giving your guests the right glassware for their favorite drink is a little gesture that shows how much thought you’ve put in to make the perfect Christmas table for you and your loved ones.

Set up a leftovers station before the big meal and make sure no one goes home with an empty hand (or belly). Bonus points if you use some super cute take-home boxes! (via Brit + Co)

Never underestimate the power of a tiny pumpkin! Dress up your table with tiny pumpkins and a sweet personal touch. (via Brit + Co)

Remembering that we have a lot to be thankful for never goes out of style, no matter what season it is. This DIY is so good that you'll want to keep it up all year long! (via Brit + Co)

Don't have time to customize everything on your table? Use this pre-made packet and fill in the blanks as you go for the perfect balance between personal and easy! (via The House That Lars Built)

Believe it or not, with wood scraps and paint you can put together a tablescape fairly quickly. We love that this DIY means you'll have a Thanksgiving look that is totally unique to you and yours. (via A Bubbly Life)

A make-it-yourself table runner that adds color to the table *and* allows people to write down what they're thankful for? Yes, please. (via Paper & Stitch)

When you're in a time crunch, who has time to do all that fancy calligraphy? Print, fold, and forget about it. These are cute, colorful, and can be reused for every holiday! (via Lovely Indeed)

We're sure that we all have some napkins that are so last year, but there's no need to buy (or sew) new ones when you can spruce up your usuals! Just add few small details will have them looking totally trendy. (via A Beautiful Mess)

If you have a tree in your yard and a gold marker in your office, then you can consider this DIY done! Super easy and it'll add some nice detail to your table. (via Demetres)

Faux Handmade Pie

Now that store-bought pie you were going to eat on your own can look like it came from the fancy bakery. What's better than that? (via PMQ for two)

Are your guests arriving in just a few hours and you totally forgot to put together a centerpiece? Carve up gourd-geous vases with plenty of time to spare. (via Tell Love and Party)

Adding a little color to your decor will transform your space, so pull out your paint stash and take plain pinecones up a notch. Your wreath is sure to turn heads. (via WhimZeeCal)

Putting those leftover donut holes to good use is a great way to save time and be creative. Plus there's a good chance that if someone doesn't like pie, adding donuts will peak their interest.(via Aww Sam)

Watch The 'Southern Charm' Trailer Here!

• The whole trailer starts off with Craig saying, “You can either accept the life that I live now, or not." That DEFINITELY sets the tone for the rest of this first look — and seemingly the rest of season 10.
• Despite whatever drama may come, it's clear that Shep's inner child is alive and well. That "olly olly oxen free" and cannonball moment is soooo extremely him.
• We're getting a group Bahamas trip! You know that can only mean one thing: DRAMA. Nothing changes the dynamic like being outside of Charleston!
• There's a new girl in the group, named Molly! Apparently she "used to sext Craig," but she's " not trying to steal him from Paige or anything." Okay, sure Jan...
• Taylor has a new boyfriend. Color me unsurprised!

• Excuse me, but Venita & JT?!?! IDK how to feel...
• After Craig tells Patricia that JT called her a b--ch, Madison says, “He will be the b--ch when I’m done with him.” I mean, you really just don't go after Patricia — everyone knows that!
• Every time Craig and Austen talk, it's clear they're exasperated with one another. Craig said, “Our friendship will never look like it used to." As much as I'm happy to see Craig setting clear boundaries with his friends, I'd definitely hate to see this bromance die. (Even though IDK if I'll ever forgive Austen for the Ciara of it all...)
• And in another unsurprising update: Shep has a new girlfriend — and she's the former Miss Bahamas! According to Madison, she's a Southern Charm fan, so it seems like some people think she's just using him as pawn to get on the show. All I know is we eventually see Shep walking away dejected and saying, “I shouldn’t have done this.” YIKES.
• And as predictable as the rain, of course there's drama with Shep, Taylor, and another woman — Salley. According to Salley, she and Shep slept together, and Taylor doesn't seem to take this well. She said, "I dated Shep for two years. Y'all just f----d!"

Who's returning for 'Southern Charm' season 10?

Our charmers Venita Aspen, Leva Bonaparte, Craig Conover, Taylor Ann Green, Austen Kroll, Madison LeCroy, Rodrigo Reyes, Shep Rose, and Jarrett “JT” Thomas are all set to return for season 10! Patricia Altschul and her son Whitney Sudler-Smith will also appear throughout the season — because it wouldn't be Southern Charm without this duo, TBH!

While JT will be back for this season, he just announced season 10 will be his last. He announced his impending departure in an Instagram post, writing, "It comes with a heavy heard to share that I have resigned from Southern Charm." He continued, explaining that he won't participate in his "2-3 remaining green room interviews remaining" before the season 10 premiere. He said, "...I no longer wish to participate in any ways moving forward with the TV show." After the bombshell, JT elaborated that he's going to "work on next steps to recover both physically and mentally from what has been an extremely challenging & exhausting year."

Needless to say, this is extremely shocking! Most of the drama outlined in the trailer revolves around Craig, Austen, and Shep, but it's clear there's way more to this story. We'll for sure keep an eye out for more details as this continues to unfold.

One face we're sad to see gone is Olivia Flowers. In regards to leaving the show, she told Scheana Shay on Scheananigans, "It wasn't my choice." Apparently producers told her the decision came because she seemed estranged from the Charleston scene, often traveling, spending time in Texas, and connecting with her new boyfriend. And while that may have bothered her at the time, it's clear that Olivia doesn't have time to worry about all that given her recent engagement to Alex Williams.

Are there any new cast members for 'Southern Charm' season 10?

This season, we're getting a few newcomers to Charleston! Salley Carson is "a bubbly party girl by night and a robotics technician for surgical procedures by day. The debutante is gorgeous, intelligent, and independent, and she shares a curiously parallel romantic past with Taylor." Yeah, that definitely spells trouble in Shep-ville. Outside of the social scene, her bio reads that Salley works in spinal robotics — nothing short of impressive there! I can't wait to see what this brainy beauty adds to the group!

Molly O’Connell also joins season 10 after apparently showing up in the background of previous seasons for years. So while she's new to the show, she's definitely been a friend of the group for a while. Still, this isn't Molly's first foray into TV — she was on America's Next Top Model in 2010 and continued her modeling career for years afterwards. On top of all that? She's also appeared as a charter guest on Below Deck. Clearly, this girl was made for the screen!

Ryan Albert hops on board this season as a friend of Patricia's — because who doesn't this woman know in Charleston?! According to Bravo, he's a stay-at-home-husband who volunteers — and hosts parties — in his free time.

When does 'Southern Charm' season 10 come out?

Southern Charm season 10 premieres Thursday, Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT! I'll be tuned in with rosé in-hand and mouth agape!