28 Thoughtful + Creative Thanksgiving Place Cards

Set the table in style with one of our easy, unique ways to show guests to their seats this Thanksgiving — including free, downloadable designs and place cards that double as party favors.

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November 04, 2020

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An Apple a Day Shows Guests The Way

There's something special about using place cards at a get-together, even if it's an informal gathering. Create this place card by tying a cute DIY nametag onto an apple stem at each place setting. A few sprigs of fresh herbs add a little color and fragrance, too.

SEE MORE: Celebrate Fall With an Apple-Themed Outdoor Get-Together

From: Marian Parsons

Gorgeous in Gold

We are head over heels for the way gold-leaf can effortlessly jazz up place cards for a high-end look. To recreate these pretty papers, drop some watercolors onto the bottom half of premium cardstock. Once dry, handwrite guests' names in pen, then apply the gorgeous gilding. Fun fact: There’s even such thing as edible gold leaf for cakes and desserts. Photo: Opal & Onyx Photography

Unbe-leaf-able DIY

These leafy place cards look complicated but are actually quite easy to make thanks to our free printable leaf and flag templates. Follow the link below to find instructions and downloadable designs.

MAKE IT: Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Place Card

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Moody Magnolia

Think outside the box (and save $$) by putting nature to work. A gold-lettered magnolia leaf makes a beautiful, free place card and pops against a black place setting on this chic, moody autumn tablescape.

Pinecone Greetings

Shop your backyard to make these almost-free DIY place cards. Fallen pinecones get a glam makeover with a shimmering coat of gold craft paint. Tuck a hand-lettered name card into the top of the pinecone and display on gorgeous, floral plates (shop at the link below). Talk about a turkey-worthy table!

SHOP THE LOOK: Room of the Week: A Gorgeous Way to Gobble

Beautiful Birch

The place cards in this rustic setting get some height from birch log slices that match the cool wood bark chargers. To make your own, buy pre-sliced birch logs from the craft store or break out the table saw to cut inexpensive logs to size.

SEE MORE: Host a Wintertime Picnic in the Park

Paper Bag Leaves

A paper bag, printer and gold paint pen are all you need to make these pretty, fall leaf place cards. Pair them with napkins and seasonal ribbon or simply lay them on the plate at each place setting. Get the full step-by-step instructions at the link below.

GET THE HOW-TO: 6 Ways to Decorate With a Paper Bag

From: HGTV Magazine

Rosemary Wreath

We love this classic banner design for a traditional-style table. As a setting for the banner, a 6-inch twig wreath (found at the craft store) was wound with fresh rosemary and thyme. To make your own, download the banner template, type in your guests' names and print. Use a small pair of scissors to cut out the banner shape, then lay the banner across the wreath at each place setting.

For the Kids

Setting a kids' table? Make it fun by covering the table in craft paper and tracing out each child's name, plate and utensils in marker. Set out a few containers of crayons or colored pencils to keep kiddos happily occupied throughout the evening. When dinner is over, let them show off their colorful creation to the crowd.

SEE MORE: 50 Thanksgiving Kids' Crafts

A Turkey-Tastic Take-Home

Not only is this clever place card adorable, it's also a party favor your guests can nibble on during the Thanksgiving celebrations and (if there are any treats left) take home with them. Check out the easy step-by-step instructions below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Thanksgiving Place Card and Party Favor

Easy DIY Napkin Rings

Elevate your tablescape with napkin place cards that are super-simple to make. You’ll need: brown craft paper, twine, a pen/marker, scissors, a hole-punch and fresh rosemary. First, decide how large you’d like each place card to be, and cut one out of thick craft paper to serve as the template. Cut out the rest, ensuring you have one for each guest. Punch a hole in the upper left corner of each card, and write your guests' names in your best handwriting. Trim a length of twine for each place card, then tie around fresh white napkins. Cut sprigs of rosemary several inches long and tuck them behind the twine for a chic, simple adornment.

SEE MORE: Host a Beautiful + Budget-Friendly Friendsgiving

Pretty Pumpkins

Look for seasonal snippets from your garden to help transform your dinner table into a bountiful banquet. Here, an elegant mini pumpkin, a sprig of greenery and a dusty-blue napkin are tucked stylishly into a soup bowl to create an oh-so-chic place card arrangement.

SEE MORE: Stage an Outdoors-Inspired Thanksgiving Dinner

Extend an Olive Branch

If last Thanksgiving turned into a family feud, perhaps an offering of peace in the form of an olive branch place card might be just the thing to mend fences. Well, at least it’s a start — and it looks pretty! Download our free, editable template, and type each person's name on the largest leaf. Print, then use small scissors to cut around the branch, leaving a bit of white border around the leaves for a dimensional look.

Save Room for Dessert

Start the meal off on a sweet note with DIY caramel apple place cards guests can munch on before the main course (or save for dessert). Start by downloading our free PDF template, add your guests’ names, print the flags on white cardstock, then cut them out. Place double-sided tape in the middle of the flags then wrap around candy apple sticks, placed upside down on small dessert plates. These festive flags would also look great at the end of a lollipop, a pear stem, a straw or even the stem of a wine glass. Turn this place card into a party favor by wrapping the finished apples in cellophane for guests to take home.

SEE MORE: How to Make Dipped Candy Apple Party Favors

Gobble Gobble

Add some adorable whimsy to your Thanksgiving table with these cute baby turkey place cards. Simply download our free, editable design, then print and cut.

Pretty Pomegranate

Easily turn real or faux pomegranates into gilded place-card holders to add an organic, rustic touch to your Thanksgiving place settings.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make Pomegranate Place-Card Holders

World Traveler

Give your napkin rings dual purpose as place holders. Pick up luggage tags from the dollar store, then slide a piece of card stock cut to size inside after scribing each guest’s name.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Color Your Name

All kiddos love seeing their names in print. Have them color and decorate their own place cards to keep them busy while you get the meal on the table. Click here to download our free little turkey place cards and striped pumpkin place cards.

Go for Gold

Shop your backyard to craft these glittering acorn place holders. Simply brush acorns with school glue, then dip in gold glitter and let dry. Repeat until the bottom part of the acorn (under the cap) is opaque with glitter, then tie onto a golden ribbon and top with a hand-lettered cardstock place card.

From: H. Camille Smith

Painter's Tape

Any DIYer is likely to have an extra roll of painter’s tape sitting around somewhere. Use the tape as a place holder by cutting the ends into a flag shape with scissors and scribing guests’ names with markers and paint pens. Next, roll out a craft paper tablecloth and place the tape at each guest's spot.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Silhouette Places

If you're entertaining a small group of your favorite family and friends, go the extra mile and make them feel special with a place card that not only has their name on it, but also their face. These silhouette place cards are equal parts sophisticated and oh-so-sweet. Learn how to make silhouettes at the link below, then paste them onto white paper and "frame" them with golden cardstock.

How to Make a Framed Child's Silhouette

Top-Notch Turkeys

This gaggle of gilded gobblers will turn any Thanksgiving tablescape into a sophisticated spread. Buy your own bunch at the link below.

BUY IT: Pottery Barn, $19.50 (Set of 4)

Chic Wheat

Add a natural touch to each Thanksgiving dinner place setting by weaving a sprig of dried wheat through a handwritten place card. The neutral, earthy colors of the wheat and card stock contrast beautifully against a boldly hued linen napkin.

SEE MORE: 10 Tips for a Simply Chic Thanksgiving

Bountiful Bunting

This adorable tiny bunting will make any table feel fresh and festive. Simply type the letters into our free, editable bunting template, print on white card stock and cut them out. Fold each diamond in half across a piece of string or twine and attach in the middle with double-sided tape or glue. We used gold baker’s twine to coordinate with our table setting.

Put a Cork in It

This DIY place card is as easy as it gets! Save all your wine corks over the next few weeks (or days, we don't judge). Cut a small slice off one side of the cork to create a flat surface, then cut a 1/4-inch-deep slit in the opposite side. Voila! You have a simple-yet-elegant place card holder for your Thanksgiving get-together.

SEE MORE: 24 Wine Cork Crafts

Seed Packets

This year's place cards, next year's harvest. Encourage guests to start a garden of their own by gifting them seed packets that double as creative place cards.

GET THE HOW-TO: Seed Packet Place Cards

From: Katie Meyers

Give Thanks

Encourage guests to give thanks this year with simple, pretty place cards you can make by downloading and cutting out our free, editable template. Click here to download these striped "thanks" place cards.

Frame It

Make guests feel at home with these customized printable place cards. Pop the cards into small frames (we found ours at the dollar store) and embellish with ribbon to match your decor. Bonus: Guests can take the frames home and fill them with a photo of the day's festivities.

SEE MORE: Sunflower-Themed Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet