DIY Napkin Rings: 14 Thanksgiving Ideas That Make a Plain Table Look Expensive

DIY napkin rings are the cheapest trick there is for making a plain Thanksgiving table look expensive. You do not need new plates or a fancy tablecloth. A few dollars of twine, ribbon, beads or even an empty paper towel tube can turn every place setting into something special, and your guests will notice the moment they sit down. Each idea below takes minutes, uses simple supplies, and works again for Christmas, so you get two holidays out of one small effort. Every project is low cost and family friendly, with adult help for hot glue, spray paint and sharp tools. Here are 14 DIY napkin rings to make your table shine this year..

Twine and Dried Wheat DIY Napkin Rings

Twine and dried wheat DIY napkin rings are the easiest way to make a Thanksgiving table look like it came out of a magazine. A small bundle of wheat stems costs a couple of dollars at the craft store, and a roll of jute twine is probably already in your drawer. Wrap the twine around a rolled linen napkin a few times, tuck in three or four short wheat stems, and tie a neat knot at the back. Add a mini pumpkin or a few fallen leaves beside each plate and the whole table feels warm, golden and grown up. Which napkin color would you pair with the wheat..

You will need: dried wheat stems, jute twine, linen or cotton napkins, scissors, a little craft glue

How to make it: 1. Roll each napkin and wrap the twine around it three or four times. 2. Slide three short wheat stems under the twine. 3. Tie a knot at the back, trim the ends and add a dot of glue to hold the stems.

Natural Wooden Bead Loops

Wooden bead rings are cheap, quick and look like something from a pricey home store. Thread natural wood beads onto a piece of elastic cord or thin jute until the loop fits around a rolled napkin, then knot it tight and hide the knot inside a bead. Mix one or two painted beads in a soft rust or cream color to tie them to your fall colors. They are sturdy enough to use every year, and kids can help string them while you cook. How many sets could you make from one bag of beads?

You will need: natural wooden beads about 16 mm, elastic cord or thin jute, scissors, a few beads painted rust or cream

How to make it: 1. Cut a length of cord about 10 inches long. 2. Thread on beads until the loop fits around a rolled napkin. 3. Tie a double knot and hide it inside the last bead.

Mini Pumpkin DIY Napkin Rings

Mini pumpkin DIY napkin rings turn every place setting into a little gift for your guests. Pick up a bag of tiny craft pumpkins, real or faux, and glue each one onto a simple ring of ribbon or twine, with an adult running the glue gun. Orange and white pumpkins together look fresh and modern on rust or cream napkins. If you use real mini pumpkins, guests can take them home after dinner. It is one of the cheapest ways to make a plain table look planned. Would you go with orange, white or a mix?

You will need: tiny real or faux pumpkins, wired ribbon or twine, a hot glue gun used by an adult, napkins, scissors

How to make it: 1. Tie a loop of ribbon around each rolled napkin. 2. An adult glues a mini pumpkin onto the knot. 3. Let it cool and set one at every plate.

Rich Leather Strap Wraps

Leather strap rings look like something from an expensive boutique, but each one uses only a small scrap of leather. Cut thin strips about seven inches long from an old belt, a thrifted bag or a craft store leather sheet. Punch a hole at each end and fasten them with a brass snap or a small screw post. The rich brown color looks beautiful next to cream napkins and wooden chargers. They last for years and work for Christmas too. Do you have an old leather belt waiting for a second life?

You will need: leather scraps or an old belt, a ruler, sharp scissors or a craft knife used by an adult, a leather hole punch, brass snaps or screw posts

How to make it: 1. Cut strips about 7 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. 2. Punch a hole at each end. 3. Wrap around the napkin and fasten with a snap.

Tiny Fresh Eucalyptus Wreaths

Fresh eucalyptus smells lovely and makes every napkin look like a tiny wreath. Bend a short piece of floral wire into a circle, then wrap small eucalyptus sprigs around it with thin green wire until the ring is full. Slide it over a rolled white or sage napkin. One bunch of eucalyptus from the grocery store makes a full set, and the leaves dry nicely so you can keep them for the next holiday meal. It is a soft, elegant look that feels very high end. Who at your table would love this scent?

You will need: a bunch of fresh eucalyptus, floral wire, thin green paddle wire, wire cutters, white or sage napkins

How to make it: 1. Bend floral wire into a circle about 2 inches across. 2. Wrap short eucalyptus sprigs around it with thin wire. 3. Slide it onto the rolled napkin.

Paper Towel Tube DIY Napkin Rings Wrapped in Fabric

These DIY napkin rings start as an empty paper towel tube, and nobody will ever guess. Cut the tube into slices about an inch and a half wide, then wrap each one in a strip of plaid, gingham or burlap fabric and glue the ends inside. A single fat quarter of fabric covers a whole set. Match the fabric to your tablecloth or pick a warm fall plaid for a cozy farmhouse look. It is a perfect project for using up scraps. What fabric is sitting in your craft bin right now?

You will need: empty paper towel tubes, a ruler, scissors, fabric scraps in fall prints, craft glue or a glue gun used by an adult

How to make it: 1. Cut the tube into slices about 1.5 inches wide. 2. Wrap a fabric strip around each slice and glue the ends inside. 3. Let dry and slide onto napkins.

Gold Painted Twig Circles

Free twigs from the backyard become glamorous gold rings with one can of metallic paint. Gather thin, bendy twigs, trim them to about five inches, and bundle four or five together. Bend the bundle into a circle and tie it with thin wire. An adult can spray them gold outdoors, then let them dry overnight. The golden branches look gorgeous against deep green or burgundy napkins and catch the light at dinner. They cost almost nothing and look like a designer piece. Where is the closest tree with good twigs?

You will need: thin bendy twigs, garden snips, thin craft wire, gold spray paint used outdoors by an adult, dark green or burgundy napkins

How to make it: 1. Trim the twigs and bundle four or five together. 2. Bend into a circle and wire the ends. 3. An adult sprays them gold outdoors and lets them dry.

Velvet Ribbon Bow DIY Napkin Rings

Velvet ribbon bows are the fastest DIY napkin rings on this list, and maybe the most elegant. A roll of velvet ribbon in rust, mustard or deep plum looks rich next to plain white plates. Wrap a length around each rolled napkin and tie a neat bow, then cut the tails on an angle so they do not fray. You can finish a table of twelve in ten minutes, and the ribbon goes right back into the box for Christmas. Simple, soft and very fancy. Which color would you choose for your table?

You will need: velvet ribbon about 1 inch wide in a fall color, sharp fabric scissors, napkins

How to make it: 1. Cut about 24 inches of ribbon per napkin. 2. Wrap it around the rolled napkin and tie a bow. 3. Trim the tails at an angle.

Yarn Wrapped Embroidery Hoops

Small embroidery hoops make sweet, sturdy rings that look handmade in the best way. Wrap the outer ring of a three inch wooden hoop tightly in mustard or cream yarn, leaving the little tightening screw showing at the top like a tiny buckle, then glue on a felt leaf. A pack of mini hoops costs a few dollars, and every napkin slips through easily. They look charming in photos and add a cozy, homespun touch to the table. You can even stitch each guest’s initial on a little fabric circle. Have you got a few spare hoops in your sewing box?

You will need: 3 inch wooden embroidery hoops, yarn in fall colors, craft glue, orange felt scraps, scissors

How to make it: 1. Take the outer ring of each hoop. 2. Wrap it tightly in yarn and glue the end. 3. Glue on a small felt leaf and slide on the napkin.

Copper Wire Leaf DIY Napkin Rings

Copper wire DIY napkin rings shine like jewelry on the table. Wrap a length of soft copper craft wire around a can three or four times to make a coil, then bend a small leaf shape from the leftover tail and twist it in place. The warm copper glow suits every fall color and looks especially lovely with candlelight style battery lights. They take a few minutes each and hold their shape for years. If you like them, make a matching set in silver for Christmas. Do you prefer copper or gold on your table?

You will need: soft copper craft wire, a soup can to wrap around, round nose pliers, wire cutters, cream or white napkins

How to make it: 1. Wrap the wire around a can three or four times. 2. Bend the tail into a small leaf and twist to secure. 3. Slide the coil off and onto a rolled napkin.

Cozy Cinnamon Stick Bundles

Cinnamon stick bundles make the whole dining room smell like the holidays. Tie three cinnamon sticks together with a strip of twine, then tie that same twine around a rolled napkin. Add a star anise or a dried orange slice on top for extra charm. They cost very little if you buy cinnamon in bulk, and guests always pick them up to smell them. After dinner, drop them into a pot of warm cider. It is simple, cozy and beautiful. Will your guests notice the scent first or the look?

You will need: cinnamon sticks, jute twine, star anise or dried orange slices, a glue dot, napkins

How to make it: 1. Tie three cinnamon sticks together with twine. 2. Wrap the twine around the rolled napkin and knot it. 3. Glue a star anise or orange slice on top.

Name Tags That Double as Place Cards

Name tag rings do two jobs at once: they hold the napkin and show every guest where to sit. Write each name on a small kraft or cream tag in your neatest handwriting, punch a hole, and tie it on with twine or thin ribbon. Add a tiny sprig of rosemary or a dried leaf for a natural touch. If you need more ways to dress a table for less, see our cheap Thanksgiving decor ideas. It saves you from buying separate place cards and looks thoughtful and personal. Whose name goes at the head of your table?

You will need: kraft or cream gift tags, a fine black marker, twine or thin ribbon, small rosemary sprigs or dried leaves, napkins

How to make it: 1. Write each guest’s name on a tag. 2. Thread twine through the hole and tie it around the rolled napkin. 3. Tuck a sprig of rosemary under the knot.

Felt Leaf DIY Napkin Rings

Felt leaf DIY napkin rings are soft, colorful and safe for little hands to help make. Napkin rings have a long history, as you can read on Wikipedia, and felt gives the old idea a playful fall twist. Cut leaf shapes from orange, red and mustard felt, layer two or three together, and stitch or glue them onto a felt band with a snap or a little Velcro. They fold flat for storage and come back every November. Which leaf colors would you choose?

You will need: felt sheets in orange, red, mustard and brown, a leaf template, fabric scissors, craft glue or needle and thread, small snaps or sew on Velcro

How to make it: 1. Cut a felt band 6 inches long and 1 inch wide. 2. Cut and layer two or three felt leaves and glue them to the band. 3. Add a snap or Velcro at the ends.

Thrifted Brass Curtain Loops

Old brass curtain rings from the thrift store make some of the most expensive looking rings you can find. Remove the little clips, polish the rings with a soft cloth, and slip a rolled napkin through each one. For extra charm, tie on a small leaf charm or a twist of velvet ribbon. A bag of ten curtain rings often costs less than one store bought napkin ring. The warm gold tone looks classic on Thanksgiving and just as pretty at Christmas. Have you spotted curtain rings at your local thrift shop?

You will need: brass curtain rings, a soft polishing cloth, small leaf charms or velvet ribbon, pliers to remove clips, napkins

How to make it: 1. Remove the clips with pliers and polish each ring. 2. Tie a leaf charm or ribbon twist onto the ring. 3. Slide a rolled napkin through.