As a lot of you regular readers know, I’m not too good about getting my holiday projects and ideas out to you guys ahead of time so that you can try them too. I’m still very much a “real time” blogger, which means that you (mostly) get to see what I’m working in real time based on the needs of our house and family. But thanks to some recent contributor assignment deadlines, I pulled out my Thanksgiving craft supplies early and had quite the fun craft day coming up with some simple and inexpensive DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas! All the ideas you see here were done using either things from my craft stash or the Target Dollar Spot and came together in just minutes! Let me show you!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

One thing I love about setting holiday tables is that you can use a variety of inexpensive craft supplies to achieve some pretty cool and creative looks. To create the 6 looks you’ll see below, I used some rolls of wrapping paper, some plaid ribbon, peel-and-stick letters, 6″ sheets of Fall-themed scrapbook paper, gift tags, and some die-cut wooden leaves.  When looking for items to use (whether in your own home or in craft stores), try to keep things in a consistent palette to create a display that looks stylish and classy while keeping it budget-friendly and easy!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Idea 1: Monogrammed Napkin Ring

What You Need:

  1. Wide wired ribbon
  2. Peel-and-stick letters
  3. Cloth napkins (or thick paper napkins)
  4. Safety pin (not shown)

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

How To Do It:

If your ribbon is really wide (like mine was), fold it in half before wrapping it into a loop large enough for your napkin to fit through. Secure it in the back with a safety pin and then place a peel-and-stick letter (that corresponds to your guests’ first names) on the top of the napkin ring.

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Idea 2: Leaf Monogram Napkin Ring

What You Need:

  1. Wired ribbon
  2. Wooden die-cut shapes
  3. Pee-and-stick or rub-on letters
  4. Safety pin

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

HOW TO DO IT:

Cut and wind your wired ribbon into a loop large enough for your napkin to fit through; secure it in the back with a safety pin. Stick a peel-and-stick or rub-on letter onto the die-cut shape (that corresponds to the first names of your guests) and place it on top of the ribbon napkin ring. If necessary, secure the die-cut shape with some double-stick tape.

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Idea 3: Monogrammed Gift Tag

WHAT YOU NEED:

  1. Paper gift tags
  2. Peel-and-stick letters

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

HOW TO DO IT:

This idea really couldn’t be any easier and is perfect for last-minute tablescapes! Simply secure a paper letter for each guest to a paper tag. Then, tie the tag around the water glass at each place setting!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Idea 4: Simple Monogram Place Card

WHAT YOU NEED:

Die-cut letters in pretty colors or papers

How to Do It:

Here is the ultimate last-minute idea that still looks super stylish! Find or make 3-6″ tall die-cut letters in interesting patterns or colors. Place the first letter of each guest’s name directly onto each plate or napkin.These can then also be used to label To-Go bags of leftover food!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

~

Idea 5: Monogrammed Menu Place Card

WHAT YOU NEED:

  1. Die-cut letters, one for each guest
  2. Patterned cardstock
  3. White cardstock
  4. Paper adhesive (not shown)

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

HOW TO DO IT:

Using a word processing program, create a table with cells that are 6″ wide by 3.5″ tall. On the right side of each cell, type in the name of each guest followed by your Thanksgiving menu. Have fun playing with fonts until you find a combination you love. Print out the menu cards onto white cardstock and trim down to size (6 x 3.5″) with a paper cutter or scissors. Using adhesive, glue the white menu cardstock to a 4 x 6″ layer of patterned cardstock. Apply a peel-and-stick or large paper letter on the left side to add another layer to the menu card.

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Place each menu card on top of the napkin or plate for each guest!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

Idea 5: Menu Place Card

WHAT YOU NEED:

  1. 4 x 6″ patterned cardstock
  2. 2.75 x 6″ solid cardstock
  3. Menu card printable template
  4. Adhesive (not shown)

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

HOW TO DO IT:

This menu card comes together very similarly to Idea #5, but if you’d like more detailed instructions, you can see the full tutorial HERE!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

For a really fun and whimsical display, use a variety of Fall-themed papers to make your menu cards…

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

…and once your table is set, just place them right on the plate or napkin for each of your guests!

Some basic supplies and just a few minutes are all you need to whip up these 6 easy DIY Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas!

All 6 of these place card ideas come together in mere minutes, which means you can have a snazzy and thoughtful Thanksgiving tablescape without too much extra work, hassle, or money! These are also great projects to keep older/teenage hands busy on Thanksgiving day while you cook, clean, prepare etc…just gather up some fun supplies and let them go to town. Just a quick note – I found almost everything here at the Target Dollar Spot; but when I was just in, I noticed they are clearing house to make room for Christmas merchandise. If you want to find some similar supplies, get over there soon to stock up!

See You Soon!
Megan