Natural Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Use materials from nature to create a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece for your tablescape. Here are two natural ideas to help you decorate.

Create a beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape with these natural centerpiece ideas. I used olive tree branches in my Thanksgiving centerpieces because it’s an easy addition from my farm. There is so much variety in nature for materials and it’s an easy, low cost way to decorate your table.

Centerpiece with Candle and pine cones in glass bowl surrounded by olive tree branches.

We don’t officially celebrate Thanksgiving here in Greece.  But I was raised in the States and have always loved the warm family atmosphere that is created around this holiday.  I always try to at least roast a turkey or bake a pie and we have a special sit down dinner on this most thankful of days. 

First Thanksgiving Centerpiece Idea

I came up with two easy natural Thanksgiving centerpieces. I started out with this piece of wood that my husband had brought home.  And I am very thankful for that husband of mine, who is always on the look out for little treasures like this.

Piece of wood stump.

Now this piece of wood had an unusual shape but I wanted to add a little more to it. I’ve been on a quest these past few months trying out natural wood stain methods, as you can see on my drunken table.  

This time I went to visit my friend Wendi at H2O Bungalow and borrowed her method of staining wood naturally with tea. I am thankful to have such great friends that share these great tips with me.

Close up of stained wood stump.

I also grabbed some olive branches on my way out of the farm.  Why olive branches? Because they are in abundance and they represent the fall months to me.  The olive trees are in full bloom and we start harvesting the olives and the oil around this time of year.  We are always thankful for the abundance of oil we get from our trees.

Olive Branches.

The next step was shaping the branches into a loose circle. This was placed on top of the wood.

Olive branches shaped into a circle.

I am also thankful that we have an abundance of pomegranates at the farm this time of the year.  Their bright red and orange colors punch the landscape.

Pomegranates in a glass bowl.

I place them in a glass bowl and add a lantern off to the side.

Glass bowl filled with pomegranates inside of olive branch circle and lantern to the side.

And what would fall be like without a few pinecones?  I am thankful for the nearby forests that provide us with a plethora of pinecones that come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Pomegranetes and pinecones inside glass bowl placed with in olive branch circle.

I am oh so thankful for all the natural “junk” I found to upcycle.  

I am also thankful that there is still hope for the environment if we do our part.

Side view of glass bowl centerpiece with a wood stump

I am thankful for the health of my family and friends.

Overhead view of glass bowl filled with pomegranates and pine cones.

And that I have a roof over my head.

Close up of pine cones and pomegranates in a glass bowl.

Second Thanksgiving Centerpiece idea

Now let’s change it up a bit and add a candle (oops I forgot to add the wick) and some pinecones to the Thanksgiving centerpiece.

I am thankful to all of you reading this who are now overlooking my slight error.

Candle in center of pinecones.

And another homemade candle that mirrors the pinecones.

Glass bowl with another candle and pine cones, placed over olive branches, placed beside a candle and wood stump.

​Using a bit of chalk, I add a “T” for Thanksgiving on the end of the stump.

Closeup of candle and wood stump with T chalked on.
Close up of pine cones and candle.
Wood stump with T chalked on.
Close up of centerpiece with Candle and pine cones in glass bowl.

Most of all I am thankful to be able to come up with these ideas (and to even deal with the computer which fights with me all day).  Because let’s face it, I have the best job in the world!  

Centerpiece with pomegranates, pine cones and olive branches

I hope you all enjoyed my easy tutorials on natural Thanksgiving centerpieces.  

How to make two easy and natural centerpieces using nature and at home products.

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104 Comments

  2. Mary, as I read this I was reflecting back on all that I am thankful for. And one of those things is you, my friend. You help me see things in different ways, how to reuse what I already have, instead of buying more, and recycle it into a new piece.
    The olive branches have the best leaves, they make a gorgeous wreath, and the pomegranates add great color and the pincones more texture! Bill is the best, that piece of wood in so cool, I love the shape! Tell him to keep his eye out for one for me! LOL

    1. Thank you Nikki. I am answering this a month later but as the saying goes “better late then never!” I too am thankful to have a great friend in you.

    1. I too prefer using nature over buying plastic or fake things when I can get to it. Thank you Helen.

  4. Your centerpiece is really lovely, Mary. I’m quite partial to natural decor during the holidays! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinned!

  5. How did I miss this one last year???!!! I would love to see what you come up with this year as a centerpiece Mary. Do you have space for one or are you still settling in after the big move?

    1. Right now we have no space at all. I will be able to start decorating after the new year. Now all I do is corners of decorating. hah!

  6. What a beautiful centerpiece, Mary! And I thought your candle was perfect, even without the wick. 😉 My fall decorations are looking a little run down, and I’m trying to freshen things up with more natural items this year, too.

  8. Beautiful centerpieces. So much nicer I think, to make something with natural materials than to buy some synthetic tat. The olive branches are especially lovely but rather thin on the ground where I live. lol.

  9. That’s so lovely Mary.
    I’m thankful I have a lovely ‘virtual blog friend’ who I can visit for lovely recycling and upcycling ideas. (I mean you.. you got that yes? !!)

  10. These are really gorgeous. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK but I sure have a lot to be thankful for on a daily basis 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

  12. Hi Mary, I love anything that nature has to offer! You created a gorgeous display using natures beauty. Thanks for sharing with SYC. I will be featuring you this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

  15. Your centerpiece is beautiful! I always love the natural look, especially around this time of year! The piece of wood is amazing! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate it!

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