This easy Thanksgiving table setting idea for drawing placemats with a sharpie on a kraft paper tablecloth is so adorable and fun to make!
I’m excited to have my friend Kim guest post today about her fun idea for decorating a Thanksgiving table. I know you’ll love her creative idea. Thanks for sharing with us Kim! (Originally published 2010 – updated 2025)
DIY Placemats for a Thanksgiving Table
Like many of you, now that Halloween is over, it’s a fast track on to Thanksgiving. The poor holiday that never gets proper attention and always getting overlooked by all the Christmas hub bub.
I host Thanksgiving every year. And every year I stress. And every year I drive my husband crazy with all my stressing.
I stress about having the perfect table, is the menu perfect, is all the silverware perfect, is the house perfect?………my Mother In-law and Sister In-law are impeccable house keepers……me? Not so much……seriously, how can you have a perfect home and be crafty?
Maybe I should say “how can you have a perfect home and be a busy blogger?” If you have that figured out, please let me know your secrets.
Easy Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea with Kraft Paper
Last year, I came up with the perfect solution for my table. I saw it originally in a Country Living Magazine.
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How to Make Sharpie Placemats
- Line the Table with Paper: Take a roll of Kraft paper and rolled it out onto the table.
- Draw: The next step is simple, draw placemats onto the paper with a sharpie!
- Personalize: Write the name of each guest next to their place setting.
The plates I picked up at Walmart for $2.99 each. I mixed it up by using 2 designs.
To keep the kids (and adults) from getting bored during dinner, I placed planter pots full of brand new crayons.
What you’ll need:
It was relaxed and we had some pretty cool art when we were finished with our meal. Decorating my table with kraft paper and sharpie markers was such a hit and took off the mounting pressure, I have already decided to do it again this year.
RT @livinglocurto: Thanksgiving Table Setting: I’m excited to have my friend Kim guest post today! I know you’ll… http://goo.gl/fb/kCpZi
I do this for the kids’ birthday parties. Instead of tripping and slipping over coloring pages and also spending money on a crappy plastic sheet that slips all over the table, the kids can color on the table! I usually make big random shapes with a black crayon for those who prefer to color rather than draw. Otherwise, it’s entertaining and it’s good for the mess of the table after eating! 🙂
RT @Tidymom: a FUN idea for Thanksgiving Table Setting at @LivingLocurto and @TCreativeBlogs http://wibi.us/9ApR8R
Really cute ideas! RT @tcreativeblogs: well well, look at me! http://ht.ly/341NW
love it Kim!! RT @TCreativeBlogs: well well, look at me! http://ht.ly/341NW
Thanksgiving Table Setting | Living Locurto – FREE Printables …: I'm excited to have my friend Kim guest post to… http://bit.ly/dlStLS
What a beautiful table and great ideas. Thanks for Sharing! Kinda hate to use it don’t you? LOL!
Great ideas! I love the printable for the napkin rings…too creative! You rock miss Kim!
~Kim
Actually very chic! RT @sharpie:: T-GIVING SHARPIE PLACEMATS!!! Love this idea from @livinglocurto & @TCreativeBlogs ::: http://ow.ly/33IDz
RT @bakeat350tweets: T-GIVING SHARPIE PLACEMATS!!! Love this idea from @livinglocurto & @TCreativeBlogs ::: http://ow.ly/33IDz
SHARPIE PLACEMATS!!! Love this idea from @livinglocurto & @TCreativeBlogs ::: Thanksgiving Table Setting http://ow.ly/33IDz
I love it all. I do have a question, how do you edit the napkin rings? I downloaded the template, but can’t figure out how to put the names in. (?) help please. thx
RT @livinglocurto: Yay! @TCreativeBlogs is my guest today with Fun Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas http://t.co/7ztNHfc
What a fabulous idea…and it looks great too.
Thanks Kim for sharing.
I love this Thanksgiving Place Setting. So fun! It’s beautiful and fun. Love it!
Way to go Kim!!
xox
Jen
Sharpie placemats?!? Brilliant!!! And I love those printable napkin rings. Almost enough to have Thanksgiving at my house….ALMOST!
What a FUN idea Kim!! I LOVE it!!
Love these ideas so much! Thanks for sharing them and maybe the Sharpie placemats and crayons will show up on my table this year.