Put on your sunglasses—this Thanksgiving idea is bright, bold, and full of neon. If you want an alternative to the usual warm browns and autumnal tones, these budget-friendly paper projects bring a fresh, colorful energy to your table without breaking the bank.
I partnered with Astrobrights to share simple, high-impact DIY paper ideas. Astrobrights offers vibrant colored paper that’s perfect for crafts and seasonal decor. Using colored paper lets you make a big visual statement for very little cost, and the projects below are easy to scale up or down depending on your table size and time.
Here are five budget-friendly DIY ways to colorize your Thanksgiving dinner table:
1. DIY Placemats and Paper Runner
Use larger sheets of colored paper (for example, 12.5 x 19 inches) to create graphic placemats and a coordinating table runner. For placemats, draw grid lines or simple patterns with a paint pen and a straightedge for a crisp, modern look. For the runner, use acrylic paint and a brush to layer abstract shapes and strokes across several sheets, then piece them together for a bold, continuous stripe of color. These are inexpensive to replace and easy to store between meals.
2. DIY Hanging Chandelier
This is the showstopper. Roll many strips of colored paper into tubes of varying heights and glue them together to form a round chandelier shape. We used a few hundred rolls to get a full, layered effect—mix sizes to add depth. To hang, thread fishing line through cardboard “buttons” placed beneath the chandelier so the line doesn’t tear the paper, and hang it centered over the table. For a floral accent, tuck narrow test tubes into a few of the rolls, add water and stems, and secure them by choosing rolls that fit snugly so the tubes don’t slip through.
3. DIY Place Card Favors
Design personalized place cards that double as party favors. Cover small gift boxes or packages in bright paper and hand-letter each guest’s name with a paint pen. Repeat their name across the paper for a custom-patterned wrap, then set one at each place setting. These act as place cards and thoughtful take-home gifts.
4. DIY 3D Confetti
Reuse leftover rolled paper from the chandelier: slice the rolls into short tubes to create three-dimensional confetti. Scatter the tubes down the center of the table or around place settings for a playful, tactile detail. They add texture and color without costing extra.
5. DIY Pop-Out Menu
Create a fun, interactive menu by cutting the word MENU into the top center of several colored sheets, leaving the tops of the letters attached so they pop up when folded. Use a sharp blade and a stencil or freehand the letters if you’re confident. Slightly fold the cut letters upward to add dimension, then stack and glue the pages together with the written menu beneath the pop-out letters. Use different paper colors for each guest or each course for an extra colorful surprise.
A brightly colored Thanksgiving table won’t be everyone’s preference, but it makes for a cheerful, modern alternative—especially great for Friendsgiving or a playful family gathering. Even a few pops of neon paired with simple place settings can transform the mood and make the meal feel special.
Photography by Amelia Tatnall
Concept and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Assisted by Rachel Brewer and Anissa Saxton
Find more inspiration to colorize your life at COLORIZE.tumblr.com.
Will you colorize your Thanksgiving table this year? I’d love to hear which of these DIY ideas you try.
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This post is in partnership with Astrobrights. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.