Create a Festive Table with Pumpkins

Fall and Thanksgiving are a fun time of year to decorate with pumpkins! Adorn your dining or buffet table with a variety of pumpkin décor, from appetizer plates to crocheted crafts and pumpkin filled trifle bowls. The orange, yellow, and red colors will certainly brighten up your room and set the stage for a festive and entertaining gathering. No matter your style, pumpkins offer endless possibilities for transforming your Thanksgiving dining table into a warm and welcoming space. From rustic arrangements of mixed pumpkins and gourds to elegant metallic accents and playful mini pumpkin place settings, there’s a pumpkin-inspired idea for every taste and budget. This Thanksgiving, let pumpkins take center stage and set the tone for a memorable celebration filled with gratitude, delicious food, and festive charm.

Delight your guests with these ideas for decorating your table this Thanksgiving:

Fall and pumpkin placemats

Fall-themed placemats and napkins bring a seasonal touch to any table setting. The vibrant orange fabric is beautifully embroidered with intricate designs of autumn leaves and pumpkins brining a delightful addition to your fall décor. The rich colors and detailed stitching create a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for Thanksgiving dinners, and family gatherings capturing the essence of the harvest season.

Fabric pumpkin table runner

A fabric table runner adorned with fabric pumpkins and autumnal elements like leaves, acorns, or berries. This can be a lovely way to add texture and color to the table while maintaining an elegant look. The runner features a collection of fabric pumpkins, often in warm, earthy tones like orange, cream, and deep green, paired with delicate autumnal elements such as embroidered leaves, acorns, and small clusters of berries.  Whether you create your own runner or purchase a ready-made one, this piece acts as a perfect centerpiece for fall gatherings, offering both warmth and a touch of rustic sophistication.  

Pumpkin centerpiece

A pumpkin centerpiece crafted from a trifle bowl filled with faux pumpkins offers a charming and creative way to add texture to any table setting.  Start by choosing a large, clear trifle bowl that showcases the colors and textures of the pumpkins, allowing them to take center stage. Fill the bowl with an assortment of small faux pumpkins in various shades of orange, white, and even deep green, mixing in different sizes for added visual interest. You can further enhance the display by tucking in sprigs of fall foliage, like colorful leaves or tiny pinecones, to complement the pumpkins and add a touch of rustic elegance. This centerpiece creates a warm, inviting atmosphere without the worry of wilting or spoilage, making it a perfect choice for long-lasting fall décor.

Dishware

Pumpkin-themed dishware can add a festive and touch to your table setting, especially during fall and holiday gatherings. Incorporating pumpkin-shaped plates, bowls, and cups into your place setting creates a warm, seasonal ambiance that’s both charming and playful. Whether you opt for rustic, earthy tones or more vibrant orange hues, pumpkin dishware enhances the overall theme and brings a sense of autumn into your home. These whimsical pieces are perfect for serving seasonal favorites like soups, stews, or pumpkin-based dishes, and they also make a delightful statement for Thanksgiving and Halloween dinners. Adding pumpkin-themed dishware not only elevates your table’s aesthetic but also brings a touch of nature’s harvest indoors, inviting guests to enjoy the spirit of the season.

Drinkware

Incorporating fun-shaped drinkware into your fall gatherings is an easy way to elevate the seasonal charm of your table. Drinkware with playful details, such as mugs shaped like pumpkins or tumblers adorned with bobbles, can add a whimsical touch that delights guests of all ages. Pumpkin mugs, with their vibrant orange color and unique design, are perfect for serving hot beverages like spiced cider, coffee, or cocoa, while glasses with bobbles offer a quirky and festive twist for cocktails, apple cider, or sparkling water. These fun, seasonal pieces create a lighthearted atmosphere, making your drink station feel both inviting and on-theme.

Decorate a serving tray

Decorating a serving tray with crocheted pumpkins is a simple yet creative way to infuse your space with fall charm. Start with a serving tray—whether a classic wooden tray or a stylish metal one— and create a beautiful autumnal display by arranging several crocheted pumpkins in varying sizes and colors. The soft texture and intricate patterns of the crochet work add a handmade, cozy feel to the arrangement, while the pumpkins’ colors—rich oranges, soft creams, and muted greens—bring the warmth of fall to your décor. For an extra touch, you can scatter small autumn leaves, acorns, or even a few mini candles around the crocheted pumpkins to create a layered, inviting look. This decorated serving tray can be used as a centerpiece on your coffee table, an accent piece on your entryway console, or even as a charming focal point for a fall-themed buffet or gathering. Whether you craft the tray yourself or buy a ready-made one, this festive display is a beautiful way to celebrate the season while adding texture and visual interest to your home.

By combining natural textures, seasonal colors, and a touch of creativity, you can craft a table that not only reflects the beauty of fall but also fosters an inviting atmosphere for family and friends to gather around. These ideas will help transform your Thanksgiving dining table into a beautiful, pumpkin-filled focal point for the holiday. Whether you choose to go all in with pumpkins or incorporate subtle touches, your table will be bursting with seasonal charm, creating the perfect setting for your Thanksgiving feast.

Create your own crochet pumpkins with this pattern

If you are crafter who enjoys making your own décor, try these crochet pumpkins. They are easy to make, and require very little time. Create them in various sizes by adjusting the number of chains. There is no right or wrong when selecting yarn type and color – so get creative and just follow these basic steps.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn for the pumpkin (select any color such as orange or white)
• Worsted weight yarn for the step ( green, grey, brown or off white)
• Crochet hook (size H/8 or 5mm)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker (optional)

Decide the height of your pumpkin

• For large pumpkin – chain 40
• Medium pumpkin – chain 25
• Small pumpkin – chain 15  

The pattern is simple

• Foundation chain – chain 25 for a medium pumpkin
• Row 1 – In the 2nd chain from the hook, work a single crochet (sc)
• Work another sc in the next chain (for a total of two sc)
• Work a half double crochet (hdc) until two chains remain (20 total)
• Work a single crochet in the next two chains
• Chain 1 and turn your work
• Repeat row 1 until you have 30 rows or the desired number of rows  – depending on if you want a short or taller pumpkin.

Finishing the piece

• Do not fasten off. Fold the piece in half lengthwise so the two shorter ends meet.
• Using a yarn needle, sew the two shorter ends together using a whip stitch or slip stitch.
• Once the ends are sewn together, leave a long yarn tail (enough to go around the pumpkin 4 times). Cut the yarn and fasten off.  
• With your yarn needle, sew through the bottom edge of the pumpkin with a running stitch.
• Pull the stitches tight to gather the bottom to close the gap.
• Sew the bottom so that the gap is completely closed.
• Fill with fiberfill stuffing.
• With your yarn needle, sew the other end with a running stitch
• Pull the stitches tight to gather the top and sew until completely closed

Create the stem

• To create a stem, create a magic loop with the other color.
• Work 6 sc then slip stitch
• Continue to work the 6 sc until your desired stem height (approx.  5 rounds)
• In the next round, increase by 2 sc in the first loop, then sc in the next loop* repeat until the end.
• In the next round, increase by 2 sc in the first loop, then sc in the next 2 loops* repeat until the end.
•  Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
• Attach the stem to the top of the pumpkin by sewing it securely in place.

Optional

Before adding the stem, you can add ribbing by using a tapestry needle to create vertical lines down the sides of the pumpkin if desired. This creates the vertical ridges along the body of the pumpkin.