The holiday season is one of goodwill and gratitude. No matter which holidays you choose to celebrate, the end of the year is often spent with those we love and reflecting on the good things in our lives. Thanksgiving is a whole day dedicated to the purpose, and it provides an opportunity to festoon our homes to create an atmosphere of gratitude. If you are looking for suggestions on Thanksgiving decorations this year, we have six for you.

Be Conscious of Color

The end of November is often associated with golds, oranges, browns, and reds. Greens and purples are often honorary members of the club, especially for those wanting to lean into the coming winter. The exact shades of these colors you use in your Thanksgiving decorations will depend on the look you are going for. Homes decorated in a modern style usually only use any of these colors in vibrant accents, while a more rustic look will lean into duller or warmer tones and steer clear of a white base coat. 

While it is less common to use paint as a holiday decoration, many people do. We’re particularly fond of a front door that has been updated for the season, perhaps in a deep red or rich brown.  The imminent threat of winter may also be a chance to paint the exterior of the home before the cold sets in.

Bring in a Bit of Nature

Speaking of winter, it’s characterized by a minimal amount of flora. Perhaps for that reason, Thanksgiving decorations are often replete with growing things. There is no better way to celebrate the harvest, after all, and you really can’t go wrong with the foliage you choose. Wheat, sunflowers, and maple leaves are especially appropriate for the season, but really any leaves, cones, branches, bows, and berries are excellent choices.

It’s up to you whether or not you use pieces you found in the woods or in Michael’s. Things found outside usually take more prep work to make sure they don’t invite insects to your Thanksgiving feast. You have a lot of choices for how to display your botanical treasures. Strew them across the dining room table or set up displays using jars or other glassware. Hang wreaths or string up garlands on banisters and railings.

Add Some Pumpkin Spice

In addition to your leaves, acorns, blackberries, and nuts, don’t forget to take advantage of the ultimate Thanksgiving decorations: pumpkins. Pumpkins simply scream fall, in all their varieties. Serve your favorite dish in a pumpkin-shaped bowl or use a hollowed-out pumpkin as an ice bucket or vase. Line a bunch of little pumpkins on the mantle or set out a pumpkin pie as a promise of what’s to come. Pumpkin-shaped wreaths are available, or you may choose to paint a few of the gourds in chalk paint to better fit the color scheme. 

Let In the Light

Light is an often-overlooked part of Thanksgiving decorations, or any decorations, for that matter. During the holiday season especially, candles are king. They add a coziness that is essential to making the end of the year a cheery time. You can play with candle size and shape, and a wick that burns with your favorite holiday scent can fill your whole home with the spirit of the seasons. 

Get creative with how you display your light. Lanterns have a hint of residual Halloween eeriness, candlesticks are a unique way to invoke the charm of wet autumnal days, and candelabras or strings of white light give a taste of the festivities yet to come. 

Try Some Texture

Using a variety of textures in your Thanksgiving decorations is a great way to celebrate the bounty of the season. Using an assortment of flora will help with this, but you don’t have to stop there. On your table setting, set metal chargers, woven mats, or corkboard beneath individual place settings. Use textured napkins or garnish plates with decorative linen before the meal starts.

Outside of the kitchen, use a combination of wood and fabrics to add visual interest. Fleece or wool blankets are both practical and decorative. Plaid, no matter where it is found, creates the impression of texture because of its familiar pattern. 

All the Accents

If your Thanksgiving decorations are still missing something, you may need just a pop of festivity. Decorative accents can be anything you want, from throw pillows embroidered with “give thanks” to the hand turkey your child made at school. Accents allow you to bring your unique preferences to a design scheme, so whether that means a holiday-specific door sign or the quilt from great-grandmother Dottie, use whatever design pieces make you feel grateful.