Looking for fresh and festive Thanksgiving decoration suggestions? Whatever your decorating taste, from elegant to simple to funky, we've got some great ideas for you.

With all the preparation, cooking, and entertaining that goes on at Thanksgiving, it's easy to forgo the final touches for your holiday table. But you can create some fabulous decorations in almost no time, and you can get your kids involved in the decorating fun, too. Here are three festive, fresh, and funky decorations that can enliven your table and your Thanksgiving celebration.

Festive Folded Napkins

It's not every day you decide to adorn your table with something that looks like a fan, a fleur-de-lis, a candlestick, or a “tall man"! Beautifully folded napkins can add festivity and elegance to your Thanksgiving table. One of the best ways to find out more about it is by visiting your local library to get a book on napkin folding. Yes, there are several books available on napkin folding! Choose one with a variety of designs and clear descriptions, photos, and diagrams. And don't forget to include your kids, since napkin folding is very much like making paper airplanes or origami.

Fresh Fruit Centerpieces

If you're looking for a fresh and edible Thanksgiving decoration, consider a fruit centerpiece. Not only will it be beautiful and colorful, it also will provide healthy snack options during the entire holiday weekend. The key to a successful fruit centerpiece is to display a variety of colors and textures. Of course, we recommend using a lot of oranges in your centerpiece as well as green grapes, apples, pomegranates, tangerines, mangoes, and a few fresh cranberries. Consider using a shallow dish or basket (or even a cornucopia) that is slightly elevated to allow for draping of some of the fruits, and have extra fruit on hand so you can continue to replenish the centerpiece.

Funky Personal Placemats

These placemats require a bit of work prior to Thanksgiving Day, but they are also an opportunity to get younger children excited about the upcoming holiday. You'll need a few yards of canvas (available at art supply stores) and several bottles of fabric paints. Cut the canvas in placemat-sized rectangles and give everyone a placemat or two to decorate using the fabric paints. You can encourage Thanksgiving-themed designs like turkeys, leaves, and pumpkins, or let the kids paint anything they want, from happy faces to stars and suns. Let the placemats dry for a day or so before adding them to your Thanksgiving table.

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