I would not blame you if said “WHAT?!”. I know, I know…it is absolutely OK to think I am crazy! It is actually a fun little story to hear about how and why I decided to build this Thanksgiving Tree with pumpkins created from “leftovers” from my Thanksgiving tablescape from last year.
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Having put together all of my fall decor earlier this month, I still had several items that I had not used or incorporated anywhere yet. Now that I am blogging, it is necessary for me to set up my Christmas decorations early (so I can share them with you!), but it certainly didn’t make sense to be setting up Christmas trees this early. My family would freak out!!
NOTE: A New front door is coming! More on that later…
Why I created this Thanksgiving Tree with Pumpkins?
To reuse, recycle and repurpose some of my unused fall decorations from previous years.
To coordinate with the rest of the fall decor in our home.
To be “ahead of the game” when it comes to decorating for the holiday season. I plan to just remove all of the pumpkins and leave the rest of the items on the tree for one of my Christmas Trees.
The inspiration for my Thanksgiving Tree with Pumpkins
This is my Thanksgiving Table Setting from last year. The brown velvet pumpkins, the green metal pumpkins, and the sunflowers inspired the design for my Thanksgiving Tree!
To assemble this tree, I started with evenly placing the large brown and white pumpkins throughout. I recommending pushing them into the tree for added depth. Both pumpkins came from Hobby Lobby, but I have sourced similar ones below if you do not have a Hobby Lobby close to you.
Next, I added in the large sugar pine cones and the large glitter pine cone ornaments…both also from Hobby Lobby. Large acorns would also be great to use.
After the large elements were installed, I filled in the greenery and sunflowers. For this tree, I added real greenery straight from my yard. I love the added texture it adds, plus it makes the tree smell like a real Christmas tree! Bonus! If you don’t have evergreen bushes, you could certainly use faux Christmas picks for this. I sourced a few below that I like and have used…
Finally, I added in all of the smaller metal and burlap pumpkins, pine cones (from my yard), cotton spheres, and small antler ornaments. Voila! I recommend “placing” rather than “hanging” your elements into the tree. Not only does this add texture, but also helps the whole look not appear to be too “Christmassy” (I know that is not a word…just didn’t know a better way to say it).
I stumbled onto these burlap pumpkins on a quick trip to the Dollar Tree. I had no idea how I would use them, but I couldn’t resist them at $1 each. They come in several colors so you could easily add in more color with them.
With regard to the tree, most of my Christmas trees are “SLIM” and all are pre-lit (a must!!). Some of the spaces where I feature my trees are small, so a slim trees make more sense for our house. Also, since the holidays are not quite here and there are no presents for under the tree, I just used an assortment of fall decorations. The sky is the limit here. You could use little hay bails, dried corn stalks, fall flowers…you name it.
To wrap this up, I must admit that my daughter actually did freak out when she came home from school and saw the tree. She felt I was taking away the magic of Christmas and I totally get that. I promised I would not turn the lights on it on until it was re-decorated for Christmas. That was our compromise.
Do you think I am crazy or do you see a Thanksgiving Tree with pumpkins in your future?!
I love the tree, and what a great idea to get ahead -plus no strange looks from your family.
Now i know what to do next year with my extra fall decor.
thanks
Thank you, Donna! My compromise with my daughter was the I agreed to not turn the lights on the tree until it was officially decorated for Christmas. 🙂 She did freak out when she saw it for the first time!
Wow! I was sceptical when you said a ‘Thanksgiving tree’ but this is beautiful! You did such a great job. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Sharon! It was so fun to do!! Plus, now I already one tree up and ready to be decorated for Christmas when it comes time for that. I am so glad you liked it!
I Love your idea for a thanksgiving tree and I am going to copy it! Just beautiful! I am new to your blog and just love all of your designs and beautiful home! Wonderful!
Hi LuAnn! I am so glad you are going to do one for yourself! That makes my day!! Welcome to the blog…I appreciate your very kind words. XO
Love this concept! I need to get with it and update my Fall things and get in the spirit of things, thank you for the great post!
Lori Jo – 50 With Flair
http://www.50withflair.com
Thanks, Lori! It was a totally a whim and I am so glad you liked it! It was super fun to put together.
Lovely, as always, Holly! And, of course, I love the velvet pumpkins! 😉
Thanks, Julie! I want some of your velvet pumpkins! I still can’t believe you made yours for less than $5!! They are so beautiful!! XO
Love it!!💕
Thank you, Ann-Marie! My daughter’s name is Anna Marie. 🙂
Stunning! Your Thanksgiving Tree is gorgeous…and last years’ Thanksgiving tablescape is beautiful, too. I love all of the texture and color. Smart way to get a head-start!
Thanks, Marissa! I think about 50% of the project was the idea of also getting a head start!! 🙂
Such a fun merging of two fabulous holidays! Your tree looks fabulous.
Thank you so much, Tana! It was so fun to do! And, now I am ahead of the Christmas decorating thing. I am so glad you stopped today. It means a lot! XO
What a fun idea! Your tree is gorgeous
Thank you, Wendi! I am definitely doing it again next year. 🙂
This is fabulous! Love how you blended the two holidays and made it work! happy wednesday! <3
Happy Wednesday to you too, Abigail! I appreciate your kinds words.
Okay this is thee best idea ever! Not crazy! I now have an excuse to bust out my Christmas tree early and decorate with adorable fall decor! Thank you! Wonderful idea!
Oh, Dani, that is so sweet of you to say! I would love to see what you end up putting together! Go for it girl!!
Holly what a great idea!!! Your tree is beautiful and I can’t wait to see your new front door!
Me too, girl! It will change everything in that area. I am so glad you like the tree!! XO
Actually, as a fellow blogger, I “get it” – I get that making use of these things and getting a small head start on Christmas is actually a strategic move! Good job – the tree is stunning and you’ve given readers lots of good ideas and resources!
Thank you so much, Carole! The head start this year really helped. I really appreciate your kind words! XO
I tried commenting earlier not sure what happend but love, love your Xmas tree with pumpkins!!!
Thanks so much, Laila! Happy to say that this comment came through! Love your name…it is the same as my nieces. 🙂
That tree is absolutely stunning! May i ask where you purchased the actual tree. I have been looking for a slim tree like this forever!
Hi Megan! All of my trees have come from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. They both have a great selection of slim trees. I am away in Dallas, but when I get home I will confirm where I bought that particular tree. I am 80% sure that I got it at Hobby Lobby. I hope that helps! 🙂
How did you keep the pumpkins on the tree? Some of them look like they are hanging?
Hi Kay! Actually, I don’t think I hung any of them. I just pushed them into the tree or placed them on top of the branches. Super easy!