Make your Thanksgiving table stand out this year! Use pool noodles sitting in your garage and a little creativity to turn these simple foam tubes into stunning, high-end-looking centerpieces that will have your guests talking. Get ready to craft beautiful DIY Thanksgiving table centerpieces using pool noodles that are as easy on your wallet as they are on your busy holiday schedule.
Why Pool Noodles Are Perfect for DIY Decor
Pool noodles are for summer pool parties and for crafts of all types. Unlike pricey craft supplies, they’re budget-friendly and easy to find. Best of all, you can repurpose them into nearly any shape you can imagine, making them a sustainable choice for seasonal decor you create yourself.
Getting Started: Basic Tools and Supplies
Before you start, gather a few basic supplies to make your DIY process smooth:
- Pool noodles (assorted colors and sizes)
- Scissors, a serrated knife, or a box cutter
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Fabric, burlap, or decorative paper
- Twine, ribbon, or raffia
- Faux flowers, artificial leaves, mini pumpkins, and other fall accents
- Floral picks, toothpicks, or wooden dowels for extra support
- LED candles, battery-operated tea lights, or small string lights
- Paint, markers, glitter, and craft tape
With these supplies on hand, you’ll be able to bring any centerpiece idea to life!
Floral Arrangement Base
You can create a lush, professional-looking floral arrangement without using expensive floral foam. Cut the pool noodles to the length you want for your centerpiece. For centerpieces that extend the table, cut the pool noodles to the length of the table, or turn them into to circles centerpieces by gluing ends together, and add several along the center of the table. Wrap it in burlap, festive fabric, or twine to hide the foam tube. For a sleek look, choose fabric that matches your table setting or Thanksgiving decor.
Once you cover your base, you can easily insert the stems of faux flowers, autumn leaves, and berry picks directly into the foam. Add miniature squash, pinecones, or acorns by attaching them with toothpicks. The noodles hold the decorations securely in place, allowing you to build a beautiful centerpiece that fits perfectly without blocking conversation.
Cornucopia Horn of Plenty
A classic cornucopia is a beautiful symbol of abundance, and jumbo pool noodles make a perfect, lightweight base. Gently bend a full-length noodle into a classic horn shape and use duct tape or zip ties to hold the curve in place. You can make the look last for years if you secure it with hot glue and reinforce it with a piece of wire inside the noodle.
Cover the entire shape with burlap, twine, or brown craft paper to create a natural look. Place your finished cornucopia on the table and fill it with faux gourds, mini pumpkins, apples, and autumn leaves, letting them spill out onto the table for a dramatic effect. Play with different color schemes, from traditional oranges and reds to soft, neutral tans and creams.
Wreath-Style Centerpiece
A wreath isn’t just for the front door! Create a beautiful wreath-style centerpiece by forming an oversized foam noodle into a circle and taping the ends together securely. This gives you a sturdy, lightweight base to decorate. If you prefer a tight, small wreath, trim the length of the noodles to the right size before shaping.
Wrap it in fabric or paper, if it fits your design, and use a hot glue gun to attach silk fall leaves, small pinecones, faux berries, and mini pumpkins around the entire ring. Lay it flat in the center of your table and place a large candle in a glass hurricane vase or a small floral arrangement in the middle. Change it up by using dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, or even clusters of cranberries for a fragrant and festive touch.
Customization Tip
For a personalized look your friends and family will love, attach place cards or guest names to the wreath that they can pick up and put where they would like to sit.
Table Runner Base
Pool noodles can even give a little height to your table decorations. Lay an extra-large pool noodle down the center of your table and disguise it with a wide ribbon, burlap runner, or a fall-colored scarf. Shape the pool noodles into an S or leave them straight down your table to vary the display. If you have a table that is longer than 6 feet, you can tape or glue pool noodles at one end and cut the other to size to fit your table.
Then, arrange and glue small candles, vases, or clusters of berries and leaves along the top. The foam provides extra height, making your tablescape more dynamic and visually appealing. For extra fun, add small decorative signs to the noodle with things to be thankful for written on them.
Fun Turkey Craft for the Kids' Table
Keep the little ones busy on Thanksgiving with a fun and simple craft that can double as a centerpiece for the kids' table. Cut a small section of a pool noodle to serve as the turkey's body. Have the kids add, or help you add, colorful construction paper or felt feathers to the back. Let them paint the noodle or add stickers for extra personality.
Finish it off with googly eyes and a small paper beak for a cheerful decoration they’ll be proud to show off. It’s a great way to keep them entertained and add a touch of handmade charm to their table. Their crafts can also double as take-home favors for family and friends.
Mini Pumpkin or Gourd Stands
Slice a pool noodle into small rings and glue them to the bottom of mini pumpkins, gourds, or apples to keep them standing upright. Paint the noodle pieces to match the pumpkin or gourd, or your color scheme, or wrap them in fabric. These little bases keep your decorations in place.
If you’re feeling extra crafty, use paint pens to write guests’ names on the small pumpkin and gourd stands, and they’ll double as unique place cards!
Use Honor Trading Company for Your Thanksgiving Table Style!
Bring your creative ideas to life with these DIY Thanksgiving table centerpieces using pool noodles. Set up a beautiful table, entertain kids, or tackle your next DIY project with large pool noodles from Honor Trading Company. Explore the easy and affordable endless possibilities of foam products for your next adventure.
