During the holidays, life can feel a bit stressful and money can get tight, so today I wanted to share my secret to creating a beautifully rustic Thanksgiving centerpiece on a tight budget.

Fall in Kansas is pretty short and the wind robs the trees of their colored leaves quite quickly. Luckily, the 200-year-old maple in front of our farmhouse still clings to her golden tresses, so I sent the girls out to gather a basketful.

With a few furry farm friends’ help the girls filled a basket full of pretty leaves in no time!

I often find old candle sticks at thrift shops. These $0.99 vintage brass cuties in varying heights became the inspiration for this year’s Thanksgiving tablescape. The wax candles themselves were just a few bucks from Walmart and we had some leftover baby pumpkins from our Fall Living Room decorating project. {There is a full centerpiece source list at the very end of this post}

I love to involve my 2-year-old and 5-year-old in the holiday decorating. We talk about the many things we are thankful for and the meaning behind the Thanksgiving celebration as we work.

As we discussed how blessed our family is, Camdyn and Avonlee generously placed the leaves they had gathered from the farmyard onto the table. Meanwhile, Mommy added the pumpkins, candles, and a few antique mason jars from my collection.

Balancing the girls’ leaves and twigs with Mommy’s candles and jars took a bit of work, adding and subtracting till it felt right…

Over the years of arranging centerpieces and vignettes I have found that mixing heights, textures, and patinas with the common thread of color to bring it all together works best in my home. Notice that I never strayed from my color palette, but stuck to variations of turquoise and warm golden tones.

Grouping objects in odd numbers rather than in pairs also helps to add interest and feel more natural.

The important thing to remember when arranging a centerpiece is that you are creating something that will enhance the table. You want it to draw your eyes across to those on the other side, and not obstruct the conversation flow. Giant or multicolored centerpieces that distract your guests or get in the way are not suitable for a Thanksgiving gathering.

Above all I hope you have learned that giving a warm inviting glow to your farm table doesn’t have to cost much money, or take a lot of time, but it could simply be a fun part of your family Thanksgiving traditions together.

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♥ Here is a Source List for the 6 items I purchased for my Thanksgiving Tablescape. I also added comparable alternatives for the items I found at thrift shops or flea markets.

Source List:

1. Table Runner

2. Votive Candles

3. Mason Jars

4. Candles

5. Candle Sticks

6. Pumpkins