Hey girl, grab your coffee and settle in, because I’m about to take you on a whole journey with these Thanksgiving garland ideas! I’m sitting here, wrapped in my favorite blanket, thinking about how much I love this time of year—those crisp mornings, the smell of sage and cedar from home, and the way my family’s laughter fills the house when we’re prepping for the big feast.
Growing up on the rez, Thanksgiving was always this beautiful mash-up of our traditions and the classic turkey-and-pie vibe.
My grandma would be out back, weaving stories about harvests and gratitude, while my cousins and I would sneak extra frybread from the kitchen.
Now, as a 30-year-old trying to make my own home feel just as warm, I’m all about creating decor that’s got heart, soul, and a little bit of that homemade charm.
I’ve been digging through craft ideas—some from my mom’s old tricks, some from late-night Pinterest scrolls, and some sparked by those golden fall walks by the river.
These nine DIY garland ideas with fall leaves and twine?
They’re my love letter to the season—cozy, budget-friendly, and full of those little moments that make Thanksgiving feel like home.
Let’s get into it, because I’m dying to share these with you!
1. Classic Fall Leaf Garland with Twine
Here’s the thing: nothing says fall like a pile of vibrant leaves, right? I grabbed a bunch from my yard—real ones, though fake works if you’re not into the crumble—and strung them onto twine with a hole punch. It’s so simple, it’s almost silly, but the way it brightens a mantel or doorway is incredible. I got a little wild one day and swirled gold paint on a few leaves, inspired by my auntie’s old beading patterns. My cousin Lena stopped by and said, “Girl, this is so you: simple but extra.” It reminds me of those fall powwows, where everything’s colorful and alive. Drape it where the sunlight hits, and it’s like the season’s glowing right in your living room.
2. Thankful Leaf Garland with Messages
Last Thanksgiving, my nephew scribbled, “I’m thankful for frybread and my dog, Max,” on a paper leaf, and I swear my heart grew three sizes. This garland’s all about those moments that make you wanna hug everyone. Cut leaf shapes from cardstock or burlap, have your family write what they’re grateful for, and clip them to twine with mini clothespins. I hung mine above the dining table, and it’s like a love note to everyone who’s there. My mom always says, “Write it down, or the moment slips away.” It’s a keeper for sure—perfect for cozy nights when you’re passing around the mashed potatoes and stories.
3. Painted Kraft Paper Letter Garland
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I was at a coffee shop last week, flipping through a magazine, when I saw this bold banner spelling out “GRATEFUL” in earthy tones. It inspired me to grab some kraft paper, cut it into rectangles with notched bottoms, and paint letters for “THANKSGIVING” in colors like burnt orange and sage green. String them on twine with tiny clothespins, and you’ve got a garland that’s loud and proud about the season. I love that you can switch the words to “HARVEST” or “FAMILY” whenever you’re feeling it. My sister saw it and teased, “You’re out here acting like Martha Stewart!” Hang it above your dessert table, and it’s like the room’s ready to celebrate.
4. Natural Leaf Threading Garland
Every fall, I drag my sister out to collect leaves by the river—it’s our thing. Last weekend, we dried a bunch and threaded them onto twine with a blunt needle. It’s so calming, like sitting with a cup of tea and just breathing. My niece got in on it, beaming when she said, “Auntie, we made art from the ground!” The natural reds and golds are so pretty, it’s like stringing up little pieces of autumn. I hung mine across my kitchen window, and every morning, it’s a reminder of those quiet walks. It’s great for kids too—just hand them a needle and watch them go to town.
5. Felt Leaf and Pom-Pom Garland
This one’s straight out of my cozy dreams. I cut leaf shapes from felt—think deep red, mustard yellow, warm gold—and glued them to twine with fluffy pom-poms for texture. I got the idea from a craft fair on the rez, where this woman’s booth was all soft fabrics and warm vibes. It’s playful but still feels like Thanksgiving, especially draped over a bookshelf. My bestie Sarah saw it and said, “This is giving cozy cabin vibes!” It’s a bit of a glue gun workout, but when you see it all come together, it’s so worth it. Perfect for those chilly nights when you’re curled up with hot cider.
6. Layered Burlap and Acorn Garland
Okay, I was at this farmers’ market last fall, and this vendor had burlap and acorns looking like rustic royalty. I had to try it. Cut burlap into leaf shapes, stack them for a 3D effect, and glue fake acorns on top. String them along jute twine, and it’s like your garland grew up in a forest. It’s got that grounded, earthy feel that reminds me of my grandma’s stories about the land. She’d say, “Every piece of nature’s got a story.” It takes a bit of patience, but when you hang it above your table, it’s like a little piece of the outdoors is celebrating with you.
7. Printable Thanksgiving Garland Kit
Sometimes I’m just not in the mood for a full-on craft marathon, you know? That’s when I found these printable templates online—leaves, turkeys, pumpkins, the works. Print them, cut them out, and string them on twine. I let my cousins’ kids decorate them with glitter and markers, and one of them wrote, “I love pie!” on a turkey, which had me cackling. It’s so easy and fun, it’s like a rainy-day lifesaver before the big meal. Hang it above the pie table, and it’s an instant hit. My mom would’ve said, “Keep it simple, and the kids will make it special.”
8. Mixed Media Garland Combining Leaves and Letters
I’m a sucker for mixing things up, and this garland’s my artsy heart on display. I paired leaf cutouts with wooden letter blocks spelling “HARVEST” and strung them on twine. It’s inspired by a display I saw at a museum gift shop—those little details always stick with me. The leaves and letters together feel like a cozy coffee shop sign, full of warmth and texture. My brother saw it and joked, “You’re out here making gallery art now?” It’s perfect for a staircase or doorway, adding that eclectic vibe that makes your space feel alive and inviting.
9. Dried Orange Slices and Leaf Garland
This one’s my absolute favorite, born from a daydream and a trip to a Santa Fe holiday market. I dried orange slices in the oven—the smell alone is worth it—and strung them with leaves on twine. It’s like fall and sunshine had a baby, bright and unexpected. My friend Mia saw it and said, “This is so you: bright and a little wild!” Hang it in your kitchen, and it’s like every meal’s a celebration. It reminds me of my mom’s old citrus wreaths, which she’d make to “brighten the winter.” The scent and colors are so wonderful, it’s like a hug from the season itself.
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