Best of Etsy: Thanksgiving decor

From cornucopias to gourds — and all kinds of earthy items in between — there are so many great symbols that go along with Thanksgiving. And it’s easy to get your home all dressed up for the holiday with them thanks to these beautiful handmade finds from the talented artisans at Etsy.

At Thanksgiving, you can expect to spend a good amount of time around the dining table. Ensure it’s a beautiful place to gather with the help of the lovely handmade decorations created by Mary Kennedy at Cranberry. Between her harvest table runner and sunflower placemats, your dining room table will be one you’re proud to show off.

SheKnows Canada: What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Mary Kennedy: I really look forward to Thanksgiving because it is one of the few times in our busy lives that we take time to get together with family and friends. Even on those times when the mashed potatoes were like cement and the turkey terribly dry, no one seemed to care because we were just happy to be together.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

MK: I will be most thankful that, once again, we will all be together again this year, and we share an abundance of good health, love and great food!

There’s no better place to start your holiday decorating than at the front door. Your friends and family are sure to know you’re in the Thanksgiving spirit from the moment they spot this welcoming “Happy Harvest” fall wreath made by Mary Nedry at Country Prim.

SheKnows Canada: What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Mary Nedry: To me, Thanksgiving is all about family coming together and celebrating and being thankful for each other. Of course we also have a wonderful traditional meal at my house each year. My three grown sons always want the same thing on the menu that we have had for years! Sometimes I try to change it up a little, but it doesn’t go over too well with them. So, just having all my sons with their families together in the same place is my favourite tradition.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

MN: This year has been a busy and exciting one for my family. A new daughter-in-law and our first grandchild! Our sweet granddaughter will be almost 3 months old on Thanksgiving this year. I can’t even explain the joy she has brought to my family’s life! So our two new family members are what I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving.

The message of this wonderful holiday season is, of course, to give thanks. That’s why this Thanksgiving banner, created by Japsy Sanchez at JJ Home Boutique, is such a great way to adorn your mantel, wall or doorway.

SheKnows Canada: What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Japsy Sanchez: Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. We have a feast of homemade dishes, and I always try to add new recipes to our “traditional menu.” Our son is 5 years old this year, and he can write by himself now, so we started our “thankful tree.” We collect sticks from our backyard and put them in a vase, cut up some scrapbook papers in small squares and, up until Thanksgiving Day, we write things that we are thankful for and hang them on the branches. It’s a fun way to remember to be thankful every day.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

JS: I have so many things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving, but first of all, for having a wonderful family — a lovely husband and an adorable son, and for the abundant blessings he brings into our lives each day. Especially this year, I’m also thankful for all the opportunities I have been granted: opening my own business and working on something that I enjoy, as well as for all the experiences and lessons learned in that process, good and bad, for each helps me grow.

Little knick-knacks scattered throughout the house are a great way to tie your Thanksgiving theme together. So be sure to check out these adorable handmade polymer clay pumpkins from Amy Giacomelli at SkyeArt, which will make cute additions to a mantel, table, desk or shelf.

SheKnows Canada: What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Amy Giacomelli: My favourite Thanksgiving tradition I look forward to each year is preparing our turkey with my son. He is an aspiring amateur chef, and we have a really good time seasoning it and putting it into the oven.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

AG: This year I am most thankful for continued good health. The ability to work and provide for my family is one of the things I cherish most.

Thought cute and quirky decoration slogans were just for Christmas? Nope! This hilarious “Gobble ’til you Wobble” sign, created by Candace Cole Mullins at Appalachian Primitive Sign Shop, will make a great conversation starter come Thanksgiving dinner.

SheKnows Canada:What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Candace Cole Mullins: My favourite Thanksgiving tradition is our family gatherings. We get to enjoy food, family and football all day. I love trying new recipes to make for our family gatherings, but I always have to make a pumpkin roll and sweet potato casserole. After everybody eats, we usually all head outside to enjoy the last little bit of nice weather before winter comes. If we’re really lucky, we’ll get to have a bonfire after the sun goes down. My daughter is now 3, and it’s so exciting because we get to enjoy our Thanksgiving traditions with her and maybe create some new ones of our own.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

CCM: I am most thankful for my family. They help me so much with my business — I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. My wonderful dad cuts all of my boards for me. My beautiful sister helps me with painting backgrounds, packaging and toddler-wrangling when needed. I have been so blessed with a wonderful husband and beautiful daughter. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

It’s easy to add little pops of fall decor to every space of your home thanks to these paper acorn ornaments made by Christa Cunningham at Wintergreen Design. Hang them on plants or hooks around your home for some instant autumn spirit.

SheKnows Canada: What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Christa Cunningham: The Thanksgiving tradition I look forward to most is baking with my kids. We attempt to make everything from apple pie and crumbles with locally picked apples (from right in our own neighbourhood) to sugar cookies to a Thanksgiving staple — pumpkin pie! Most of our goodies will be consumed by friends and family over Thanksgiving, but if we’re lucky, a few things can be frozen and saved for the upcoming holiday season.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

CC: I will, and am always, most thankful (and grateful) for my family — for their health and their happiness — there is nothing more important.

Thanksgiving dinner is made even more warm and lovely with the help of glowing candles. So be sure to check out this chic set of distressed candlestick holders made by Morgann Hill at Morgann Hill Designs, which will add the perfect touch to your dining table.

SheKnows Canada:What is your favourite Thanksgiving tradition that you look forward to every year?

Morgann Hill: Every year, our family gets together with extended family — some family we have not seen all year! I love watching all the kids play, the adults catch up and just the pure happiness Thanksgiving brings by allowing us all to get together. I look forward to this special time all year.

SK: What will you be most thankful for this year?

MH: My family’s happiness and health. It is what I pray for each and every day and what I am always the most thankful for.

More on fall decor

Best of Etsy: Fall serving dishes
Best of Etsy: Fall decor
Embracing fall at home with Taniya Nayak