Itching to bring out the Christmas tree? Ease into the season by starting with a Thanksgiving tree instead!
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What Is a Thanksgiving Tree?
A Thanksgiving tree is a Christmas tree decorated to celebrate autumn. Since it falls between scene-stealing holidays Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving often ends up getting the short end of the stick when it comes to holiday decor. Another reason to give this trend a shot: Thanksgiving trees give you a head start on setting up your Christmas tree.
Whether you’re trying to correct past Thanksgiving-decor neglect or sneak a little Christmas in before others in your household are ready (we won’t blow your cover!), take inspiration from the warm cozy glow of these fall-themed trees. You should also check out these Thanksgiving centerpieces that will complete your holiday table.
Nature-Inspired Thanksgiving Tree
We love the natural elements in this Thanksgiving tree by Holly at Home with Holliday. She combined faux oak leaves, various mini pumpkins, seed pods and juniper bush cuttings to give her slim tree texture and girth. The unique topper, made from curly branches and pheasant feathers, provides a beautiful finishing touch.
Modern Thanksgiving Tree
Kara from A Kailo Chic Life created a wonderfully out-of-the-box Thanksgiving tree, without a gourd in sight.
Recreate her ultra-modern, cheerful look with an orange tree (or another autumnal color). Then add faux flower stems in the color family of your choice. The real star is the folded cardstock “leaves.” To make them, cut colorful cardstock sheets into a leaf shape, then accordion fold each one. Check out more detailed instructions at A Kailo Chic Life.
Monochromatic Thanksgiving Tree
This simple, monochromatic Thanksgiving tree from @eringladding makes a big impact with minimal effort. Just decorate your flocked Christmas tree — we love this pre-lit seven-foot pine — with a Thanksgiving-themed banner, tuck some faux gourds at its foot, and you’re good. Make your own banner with white cardstock and vinyl sticker letters, or order someone else’s handmade option from Etsy.
Crafty Thanksgiving Tree
DIY Thanksgiving crafts are a great way to get into the fall spirit. The fall-themed wood ornaments on @heritagehillhomestead‘s Thanksgiving tree work with the more traditional-autumn features such as faux fall leaves, stems and pumpkins. And white twinkle lights warm up dark November nights.
Achieve a similar look with these hand painted scripted ornaments from Etsy, and by painting wood pumpkins using these pumpkin-shaped craft cutouts.
Elegant Thanksgiving Tree Tradition
Start with a flocked tree and add simply beaded garland to recreate this stunning Thanksgiving tree from @sharee.designs. We love that the tree not only makes beautiful decor, but is also part of a family tradition. Sharee and her family write something they’re grateful for on a faux leaf and add it to the tree on each day of November.
Farmhouse-Style Thanksgiving Tree
Amy of Savvy Saving Couple decorated her Thanksgiving tree with harvest ornaments, florals and rustic fall-themed accessories. We especially love the fall wreath used as a creative tree topper. Amy advises fluffing the tree branches before decorating, and filling in any bare spots with big floral stems or ornaments before moving on to the smaller decorations.
Easy Thanksgiving Tree
Your Thanksgiving tree doesn’t need to be complicated or stuffed with ornaments to still be beautiful. This tree from @angelabreed was created with fall leaf garland and shimmery deco mesh ribbon — that’s it! We love how the cozy glow of the lights shine through the different textures.
