20+ Quick and Easy & Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Wood Projects

Submitted by Ana White on Tue, 11/12/2024 - 08:17

Get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with warmth, creativity, and style—without breaking the bank! We've rounded up 25 fun and festive DIY Thanksgiving projects that are simple to make and perfect for adding a personal touch to your holiday. Whether you're looking to decorate your home, set a beautiful table, or create heartfelt gifts for loved ones, these DIYs have you covered. From serving trays to cozy home accents, each project is budget-friendly and requires only basic tools and materials. Let's make this Thanksgiving one to remember!


 

 


1. Simple Wooden Pie Box

pie boc

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Plexiglass Cutter, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material, plexiglass or 1/4" plywood, ribbon, twine

Gift and transport pies in a beautiful wooden pie box - this simple to build project cost under $10.  You can flip the box over and it becomes a dessert serving stand. Reuse year after year, gift with the pie. Easy to customize for any occasion or holiday!

 

 


 


 

 


2. Star Serving Tray

star tray

Image Credit: Jaime Costiglio

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Jig Saw, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material and 1/4" plywood

Craft your own wood star serving tray!  Fill with treats and bites, and bring as the perfect hostess gift, or display at your next holiday party.

 

 


 


 

 


3. Christmas Tree Tray

christmas tree charcuterie

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Jig Saw, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material and 1/4" plywood

Get ready to upgrade your holiday gatherings with a charming DIY wood Christmas tree tray! This budget-friendly project can be built for around $20 using common lumber and just a few tools!

 

 


 


 

 


4. Floating Table Runner

floating table runner

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material, led lights

Elevate your dining table with a wood runner riser - this adds a beautiful wood texture to your dining space, separates out your centerpiece decor, AND it's lighted, adding a glimmer of glamour. 

 

 


 


 

 


5. Scrap Wood Footed Charcuterie Board

footed charcuterie board

Image Credit: Jaime Costiglio

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material

Use scrap wood pieces to make a charcuterie board!  Easy to customize in size, and use up what wood you have.  Features a footed base.  Perfect for entertaining or as a gift.

 

 


 


 

 


6. Floral Fence Picket Centerpiece

floral centerpiece

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Forstner Bit, Safety Glasses
Materials: Fence Pickets 

Here's how you can make your own floral centerpiece using dollar store bud vases and a fence picket or pallet wood board.  This step by step tutorial will show you the tools and steps needed to make this beautiful piece.

 

 


 


 

 


7. Cider Caddy

cider caddy

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material, wood dowel

This simple to build project presents the cider in a beautiful carrier, and makes it portable.  Great as a gift or decor, plus it's easy to customize for different sizes or adding a person touch!

 

 

 


 


 

 


8. Stack and Store Wine Crate Carrier

wine storage

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Jig Saw, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material, handles, wine

This little wood wine holder stacks, stores, and you can use the top to serve!  It works as a gift box too for the wine lover.  Quick and easy DIY project that you can build with off the shelf pine boards and nail together. 

 

 


 


 

 


9. Wood Lanterns

wood lantern tutorial

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Jig Saw, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material, square dowels

Like a frame for a picture, this wood lantern frames a candle, creating a beautiful decor piece for your indoor or outdoor space. If you have scrap wood, this project could be free!  With new materials, building your own wood lanterns will be just a fraction of the cost to buy. This tutorial includes 3 different styles!

 

 


 


 

 


10. Rustic Wooden Candle Holder

candle pedestal

Image Credit: Jaime Costiglio

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer Safety Glasses
Materials: 4x4, flat lattice, flat moulding

Build your own rustic wooden candle holders using scrap or reclaimed wood.  These wood candle holders are so easy to make and add a rustic wood touch to your home.  

 

 


 


 

 


11. 2 Tool Bench

2 tool bench

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner  
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 2x material 

Here's a quick, easy, and budget friendly way to add more seating for the holidays. These simple benches are perfect for when you need seating to go with your plastic tables with tablecloths! Another plan that is easy to modify for size.

 

 


 


 

 


12. Simple Farmhouse Bench

simple wood bench

Image Credit: Happier Homemaker

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 2x material

Add a farmhouse bench to your holiday dining simply and affordably! Here's another bench option that is beautiful enough to keep using as an entryway bench or end of bed bench after the holidays are over!

 

 


 


 

 


13. Simple Wood Table

simple wood table

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x and 2x material 

This simple farm table can be used indoors or out. It is easy to modify for length or height, would also make a great "kids thanksgiving table", just make the legs shorter and modify for size!

 

 


 


 

 


14. Wood Pumpkin Decor

 

diy wood pumpkin decor

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Jig Saw, Safety Glasses
Materials: Scrap wood, glue, wood stain and paint

Check out this round up of the best DIY Wood Pumpkin tutorials on the internet to add some festive fall decor indoors or out!

 

 


 


 

 


15. Kids Farmhouse Table

 

kids table

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Pocket Hole Jig, Sander, Jig Saw, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 2x2 frame, 1x boards on top

 

Create more space at the main table by building a separate kids table!  This easy to build plan is beautiful and will make your dining experience better, and can be used for years as a play table!  Matching chair plans are also available, or build a bench.

 

 


 


 

 


16. Ultimate Sawhorses to Support a Tabletop

 

raised cutting board

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 2x4s, 1x boards for cross bracing, self tapping screws

 

Need a giant table?  Build sawhorses and add 2x12 boards on top, for a quick and beautiful table!  You'll need a sawhorse about every 6 feet.  These sawhorses are very sturdy and durable, you'll be able to use them in your workshop for years, we've had ours for over ten years and are still using them!

 

 


 


 

 


17. Holiday Card Box

holiday card box

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material 

As greeting cards come in the mail here is a great way to keep them out and revisit them throughout the holiday season. Leave it on a coffee table or counter for others to enjoy as well!

 

 


 


 

 


18. Simple Wood Chargers

wood charger

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Jig Saw, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x12

Add a personal touch to your holiday tablescape with these super simple wood chargers. Customize as desired!

 

 


 


 

 


19. Cake or Cupcake Stand

cake stand

Image Credit: Ana White

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Nailer, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x material

Elevate desserts with this easy to build cake stand. Go as high as you want, just start with a larger box on bottom and work your way up leaving enough room around each level for cupcakes! Easy to customize and finish as desired. 

 

 


 


 

 


20. Pie Safe

 

diy pie safe

Image Credit: Jaime Costiglio

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner  Intermediate  Advanced
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Brad Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x12, 1x2, plexiglass, plywood for back, hinges and hardware

Store those pies in style!  This gorgeous pie safe features an open window to view the pies.  The simple joinery methods make this easy to build, you may want to keep this on your countertop year round!

 

 


 


 

 


21. Potting Bench Serving Station

potting bench used as a buffet

Image Credit: Kayhag3 on Instagram

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner  Intermediate  Advanced
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials:  

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22. Drink Stand and Carrier Crate

beverage dispenser wood pedestal carrier

Image Credit: Family DIYnamic

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner 
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 1x2 boards, cedar fence pickets or 1x6

Transport and serve drinks in bulk with this DIY wood crate beverage dispenser!  Very easy to build, this project transforms a couple of beverage dispensers into a drink serving display.  

 

 


 


 

 


23. Simple Serving Sideboard

 

serving sideboard

Image Credit: Family DIYnamic

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 2x2s, 1x boards

Do you need a very easy to build side table that is lightweight and compact, but still looks great?  Build this in a couple hours, and use it to serve desserts, drinks, pies - or whatever you need!  

 

 


 


 

 


24. Beginner Bar Cart

 

easy to build bar cart

Image Credit: Reader submitted photo

Download Plans Here

 
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools Needed: Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses
Materials: 2x4 frame, 1x4 tops, caster wheels

Great indoors and outdoors, this grill cart can be used as a serving cart or bar cart for Thanksgiving!  The plans are super easy to follow and it's been built tons of times, check out all the reader submitted photos for lots of ideas!

 

 


 

20+ Quick and Easy & Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Wood Projects