Simple Fall Table Decor: Use What You Have

Today is all about using what you already have. Its really easy this time of year to get overwhelmed or stress over things which really don't need to be worried over.  Having your table perfectly set and styled for Thanksgiving is one of those things.  I loooove this time of year, just all of it.  Its fun to be festive, to celebrate with those you love, to focus and set your hearts on thankfulness and the blessings of Christ - things worth your time.  Last year I had the great joy of hosting thanksgiving diner for our family.  I wanted to decorate because its something I like to do but I also wanted to keep it simple and not spend a dime.  

I spent some time gathering a few items from around the house that I wanted to use and then took a walk around my yard in search of some sort of items for a centerpiece.  I discovered we have a great little shrub that had beautiful colored leaves plus another with some great greens.  I clipped a bunch and also decided on picking up a few twigs.  

To make the twigs standout a bit I decided to spray paint them white and a little bronze.  While I was at it I grabbed a little pumpkin I had and spray painted it too.  When I get the spray paint out nothing is safe anymore.

After I had my centerpiece and a few little decor items I needed a tablecloth.  I wanted something navy but I didn't have a tablecloth that would work.  I did however have a piece of fabric that I had gotten for another project.  I didn't do a thing to it, it's literally just a yard of cut fabric but I liked the colors, plus its plaid and you can never have enough plaid during the fall.  Is it me or is everything covered in plaid or check print these days?  I mean, I'm not complaining but it seems like its on everything from home decor to clothing and even on plastic cups and tissues at target.  I may have purchased said plastic cups...so I guess I'm just contributing to the plaid madness.

It was fun to put together a pretty table with things I already had or snagged from the yard.  I bet a lot of you have even better outdoor plants to gather from but if you are like me and just have a couple of shrubs then you are good to go.

A couple of years ago I put together another little last minute thanksgiving idea with several other ideas for using things you already have.  Also, as a family in the past we have put together a thankful jar to help us focus together on being grateful.  It doesn't have to be fussed over, don't fret and keep it simple and enjoy the important moments.  Use what you already have!

Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas

Today is all about using what you have.  Its the day before Thanksgiving and you might be thinking you want to spruce up your table a bit or add something fun but just don't have the time to really even think about it.  Its ok, I've thought about it for you.  I have a little last minute table idea I put together to share as well as some other great last minute ideas I found thats all about using what you have.

Up first is my little Thanksgiving Table...

Everything I used I found around the house.  Grab your favorite vases, some mason jars, glass bowls - whatever you have and fill it with something pretty.

I had grabbed a bag of cranberries from the grocery store a few days ago, they were on clearance so I thought why not?  We have pecans galore in our yard so I gathered up a bunch and used them.  Acorns are another great choice, pinecones, twigs, leaves even those annoying sweet gum seeds can be used (check out the pic below).  I had some lighted branches that I used but you could totally just use sticks from your yard - it would be equally as pretty.

I didn't have a table cloth that I felt like fit the Thanksgiving feel so I just used a piece of scrap burlap as a little table runner.  I grabbed some twine and yarn to wrap the silverware - simple but I liked that I could use a little bit of the deep red to tie it all together.

Candles of course are always an easy solution.  A good rule when creating a grouping of items is to always use an odd number of things - its just more pleasing to the eye.

Next up is a bunch of little ideas from other sites that I had to share - they are all last minute, super easy and use what you have...

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Seriously, someone has made a sweet gum berry look chic.  I can't even get over this but I love it so much.

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Use your pretty fall leaves to write on for place setters.

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Pinecones, upside down glasses and pumpkins - easy and so pretty.

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Another great use of something you have on hand.

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I love this idea for a kids table but I think it would be totally cute for an adult table too.  PS - you can get brown paper like this at the dollar store - they sell it as mailing wrap in large rolls.  

So many cute ideas here right?  I just love using what you already have.

Just want to tell all of you how much I'm thankful for you, your encouragement, support and kind words you always give.  I love all of my bloggy friends!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Giving Thanks - Making a Thankful Jar

I wanted to share our little November Thankful Jar with you.  Thanksgiving is usually a time when we reflect in thankfulness for our blessings and this year I wanted us as a family to take some time to step back each day and reflect on how truly thankful we are for what God is doing in our lives.  It's easy to get caught up in life, take things for granted and forget to view all circumstances in the eyes of our Savior.  God has said to us in His word to rejoice always and to give thanks in all circumstances - wow, those can really be difficult things to do and truthfully the only way to live life in this way is by the leading and help of the Holy Spirit (something I'm thankful for).  So this jar was born as a simple way to help to remind us of our thankfulness during this time.

This is super easy to do and all it took were things that I already had in my craft stash.  Somehow I even found stickers that had the perfect words for our jar.

 How it works for us - we have made a little station stocked with paper and pens and each day we take some time to write some things we are thankful for and drop them in our jar.  At the end of November, we will come together as a family and read aloud each one as an act of worship to God - since all blessings flow from Him and sets a great reminder to us of how much we truly have to be thankful for.

Sometimes its just the simple things like making a little thankful jar that lead us to a daily meeting with God.  

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