Today’s project is an easy DIY Thanksgiving banner that adds warm fall color and charm to your home. As the seasons change, it is always fun to feather the nest, and this project is a quick, satisfying way to refresh your space for Thanksgiving.
I’m thankful for all of it.
— Unknown
The highs. The lows.
The blessings. The lessons.
The setbacks. The comebacks.
The love. The hate.
Everything.
Why You’ll Love This Project
Creating a homemade Thanksgiving banner is a simple way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor! It is a fun, creative project that lets you show gratitude through colors, patterns, and materials that capture the warmth of this season. A handmade banner can be reused year after year, becoming a part of your Thanksgiving traditions.
This project is also wonderful for creating with friends or family. I hosted a couple of banner-making get togethers, and everyone had such a great time making banners (plus a few Christmas banners, too!). It is easy to share supplies, and each person can create a banner that reflects her own style. Everyone leaves with something handmade to enjoy in their own home.
Kids love this project as well. Cutting and gluing are the most challenging steps, which make it approachable and fun for all ages. Making a banner together as a family creates a keepsake you can hang each year and enjoy for years to come.
These banners also make thoughtful gifts. A fall harvest or Thanksgiving banner is a lovely hostess gift that can be customized to match the recipient’s decor, personality, or even a special occasion.
Paper banners are budget-friendly and require only basic tools. Scrapbooking paper does most of the work, along with scissors, a glue stick, and a paper punch. Add buttons, ribbon, or trims for extra charm. You can design your own banner or use my ready-made digital templates, which include background options and two letter styles for easy mixing and matching.
Materials
Below are the craft supplies needed for your DIY banner project. Some of the supplies are optional, so read closely.
Scrapbook Paper
Paper Scissors
Paper Glue or Glue Stick glue sticks
Hole Punch
Embellishment buttons, ribbon or trim, etc.
Banner Template purchase optional pattern
Brayer not pictured
Straightedge optional
Xacto Knife optional
Cutting Mat self-healing mat optional
Affiliate links are included. Not all supplies are in the photo above.
Scrapbook paper and banner materials are available in most craft stores and on Amazon.com.
They come in so many beautiful colors and patterns.
You can buy it by the sheet or purchase a book. TONS are available, so look around and find what works best for you!
Below are a few options I found on Amazon within the fall and Thanksgiving decor themes.
Click photos or links to compare products. Affiliate links are underlined.
Carta Bella Paper Company – Fall Break Pack
Colorbok Paper – Mad for Plaid
Variations
Banners are fun for any season, celebration, or holiday.
Draw up your own banner designs, or you can use my banner template, available in the shop.
There are designs for fall and also designs available for Christmas.
The digital download includes the background shapes template and 2 type styles for the letters. Your choice to mix and match.
The designs today are celebrating the fall and Thanksgiving seasons, but below are other celebration and holiday ideas for creating a DIY craft banner:
Happy Birthday Banners
Happy Anniversary Tidings
Game Day Party Pennants
Welcome Guest Greetings
New Year’s Day Wishes
Valentines Day Sayings
St Patricks Day Messages
Easter Greetings
Independence Day Banners
Halloween Phrases
Thanksgiving Expressions
Merry Christmas & Hanukkah Messages
Love this DIY Banner Project? Let me know if you made it in the comments section further down the page. I love hearing from you!
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Instructions
Below is a step-by-step tutorial.
Design
1 Collect all of your supplies. Choose the word or message for your banner.
Also, you’ll need to decide if you will cut your letters out of paper or print them directly on the scrapbooking paper with a printer.
Next, draw up your crest design or print out my banner templates, available in the shop.
The digital download includes background templates and two styles of letters. Your choice to mix and match!
TIP Make a cardboard version of your template if you are making more than one banner.
Choose two coordinated papers for each letter: one for the front, one for the background, and one for the letter itself (if you are cutting it out of paper).
Lay the paper pairs out across a table or the floor to decide if they work well as a set.
Adjust the placement of the colors and patterns if necessary, so the whole banner is balanced.
Cut & Print
2 Cut out your letters (optional) and the background crest shapes with a scissor, Cricut, or another cutting machine.
DO NOT cut out the front crest shapes if you print the letters with a printer.
If you are cutting the letters out of paper, go ahead and cut the front crest shapes out now, too.
3 Next, print out each letter (optional) on the scrapbook paper that you chose for each letter.
TIP Find out if your printer can handle smaller size pieces of paper.
If it can, you do not have to waste as much paper. Some printers require letter size only, so you may need to cut the paper to fit your specific printer.
4 Now cut out the front sheets for the banner with your printed letter.
TIP For the printed letter pieces, lean the template shape and the newly printed letter up on a window or on a lightbox.
Trace around the outline with a pencil and cut it out with scissors.
Embellishing
5 Glue the fronts onto the backs. Use a brayer if you have one to get a smooth finish.
CAUTION: Be sure to test your paper glue with scrap paper scraps first!
We found many types of glue that made the papers curl, including Elmers’ Paper Glue.
My favorite of 4 that I tried was Scotch Glue Sticks. (affiliate link)
Nice and flat, good hold, and NO curling! Yay! But test first anyway to be safe and not put too much glue on because it can cause bumps.
6 Now the fun really starts! String together your banner and decorate it!
Punch holes in the top or to the upper sides. Consider ribbon, raffia, or burlap string to link the letters together.
Embellish with buttons, scrapbooking tapes, trinkets, flowers, or charms.
Tie ribbons to a letter or at each end of your banner. You can also go clean and simple and skip all of the razzle-dazzle. You, be you!
FAQ
Use warm colors like orange, brown, yellow, deep red, and Thanksgiving-themed embellishments like leaves, pumpkins, or acorns.
Use 3M Command hooks, tape, or small nails to hang your banner. Twine or string works well for hanging, making it easy to adjust the spacing.
Add each family member’s name, use favorite seasonal colors, or include special elements like family photos or favorite Thanksgiving phrases.
Some great ideas are “Give Thanks,” “Grateful,” “Blessings,” or “Harvest Time.” Choose a phrase that resonates with your family and traditions.
Once you have the supplies, cutting, arranging, and assembling a banner takes about an hour or two, depending on how detailed you want it to be.
Templates aren’t required, but they can be helpful! I have a template in my shop with different letter styles and backgrounds, making it easy to start.
Tips and Tricks
Choose sturdy paper
I like using thick scrap booking paper or card stock. It holds up well and looks more polished than thinner paper.
Pick a color scheme
Sticking to a few colors—like warm autumn tones—keeps the banner looking cohesive and festive. Think oranges, yellows, browns, and deep reds.
Cut with precision
Sharp scissors or a craft knife work best for cutting shapes and letters cleanly. I sometimes use a paper cutter to get straight lines easily.
Layer for extra dimension
Adding a second layer behind each banner piece with a slightly larger shape adds a pop of color and makes the banner feel more dynamic.
Embellish with texture
I love adding ribbons, buttons, or small trinkets to each piece for texture. Burlap or twine also adds a rustic Thanksgiving feel.
Space out the banner pieces evenly
Before hanging, lay the banner pieces out on the table to arrange the spacing. Even spacing makes the banner look polished when displayed.
Store carefully after Thanksgiving
When Thanksgiving is over, gently fold the banner, layer tissue paper between pieces, and place it in a sturdy box or gallon Ziplok bag so it’s ready for next year!
More Craft Ideas
Want more craft inspiration? Browse all of the creative projects here.
Let’s start with other banner designs.
DIY Christmas Banner
3D Paper Stars Free Pattern
Fall Garland Craft
DIY Mini Gnomes
Dog Bandana
Fall Flower Arranging
Personalized Pillows
DIY Basket Liner
Please let me know how your DIY banner turns out in the comment box below. I love to hear from you and can’t wait to see what you create. Be sure to subscribe or follow me on social media for more inspiration!
Thank you for visiting!
xo,
Cindy
Did you make a banner?
I would love to hear all about it! Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Thank you!
About Bloom
Cindy Munson is a lifelong sewer, pattern designer, and former graphic design studio owner. She shares approachable, stylish sewing projects through her blog, Be Brave and Bloom. Her mission is to help others discover the joy of making and live a more creative life. Cindy works from her sunny sewing studio in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband of over 30 years.
Love this fun and easy craft!
You’re the sweetest! Thanks, Kelly!