When I was #Homeschooling Charlie he had to take a #Art class and more times than not we would use things we had in our home to make things out of. If there is something you collect and you don’t need it anymore ask the kids what they could make out of it. For me it’s placemats and this morning I was going through them and I could hear my grandma Dorie saying don’t throw away those Holiday Placemats! Let the kids in the Apartment Complex use them to make Easy Fall Crafts to give to there parents. Before you get started I wanted to remind you we don’t need a big craft budget, or a sewing machine, or a house full of fancy supplies to make memories this fall.
Instead I have a question for you. Have you ever bought something for one holiday, tucked it away, and then completely forgotten about it until the next year? I’m guilty of collecting things for the holidays, and one of the things I’ve collected over the years is placemats!
I’ve found most of them at Dee Dee’s Bargain Basement, or the Dollar Tree so I didn’t spend a lot on them. I have all kinds. Some are thin, some are thicker and almost like cardboard, and others are cloth. I have placemats for just about every holiday you can imagine.
So this got me thinking: Why should we only use those placemats on the table? Could we turn some of them into crafts our children can make, gifts we can give, or decorations we can enjoy around the house? I think we can! I just wish my Grandma Dorie was here to help me because I’m no Susie Homemaker. Are you?
Here at Greatful Moments, we’re all about being Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed. And sometimes that means looking at what we already have before heading to the store to buy more. Today, let’s look at a few ways to turn those extra placemats into easy fall crafts. Most of these ideas don’t require sewing, and you may already have the supplies sitting in a drawer or craft box.
1. Make a Fall Collage– Best for: Thin paper placemats
Do you have paper placemats with pumpkins, leaves, turkeys, or other fall pictures? You may have the beginnings of a fun afternoon craft! Let the children cut out pictures and shapes from the placemats, using child-safe scissors and adult supervision as needed.
They can glue their favorite pieces onto a piece of cardstock, cardboard, or another placemat to create their own fall collage. They could make a pumpkin patch, a tree covered in autumn leaves, or a picture of the things they love most about fall. If you don’t have fall pictures on your placemats? No problem! Children can draw their own pumpkins, leaves, and acorns on the back of a plain paper placemat and cut those out instead.
What you’ll need:
- Thin paper placemats
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue stick
- Cardstock or a piece of cardboard
Let each child make their own design. They don’t have to look alike, and they certainly don’t have to be perfect!
2. Create a Fall Door or Wall Decoration– Best for: Thicker placemats
Some placemats are sturdy enough to serve as the base for a simple seasonal decoration. Start with a thicker placemat and decorate it with paper leaves, a pumpkin cutout, or a harvest message. Children can write something like “Happy Fall,” “Welcome Autumn,” or “Give Thanks.”
You can use supplies you already have, such as scrap ribbon, markers, paper, and glue. If the placemat has a slick or plastic-coated surface, test the glue first to see whether it sticks. An adult can help attach a hanging loop with suitable adhesive or tape, depending on the material. If it won’t hang securely, simply display it on a shelf or prop it up on a table.
What you’ll need:
- A sturdy placemat
- Paper decorations
- Markers or crayons
- Glue or suitable tape
- Ribbon, if desired
This is an easy way to give an old placemat a new purpose without buying a seasonal sign.
3. Make a Placemat of Thankfulness– Best for: Placemat surfaces that accept glue
Since Thanksgiving is about more than the meal, why not use a placemat to start a conversation about what we’re thankful for? Cut paper leaves from scraps of construction paper. Ask each child to write or draw one thing they’re thankful for on a leaf. Younger children can draw a picture or ask an adult to write their answer.
Glue the leaves onto the placemat to make a thankful tree or a colorful collection of blessings. You might discover that the answers are much simpler than you expected. A favorite stuffed animal, Grandma’s hugs, playing outside, or having somebody read a bedtime story can all make the list.
What you’ll need:
- A placemat
- Scrap paper or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Crayons or markers
Display the finished placemats during the Fall season. You could even invite everyone in the family to make one and share their favorite answers at dinner.
4. Wrap a Small Harvest Gift– Best for: Flexible cloth placemats
If you have cloth placemats tucked away in a drawer, here’s an idea that doesn’t require a single stitch. Use a clean cloth placemat to wrap a small gift box, cookbook, or other appropriately sized present. Fold the fabric around the gift and tie it with ribbon or twine.
You could tuck a fall dish towel, a favorite recipe, a small craft, or a few individually wrapped treats inside the gift before wrapping it. This works best when the placemat is large and flexible enough to cover the gift. If yours is too small or stiff, use it underneath the gift as a decorative base instead.
What you’ll need:
- A clean cloth placemat
- Ribbon or twine
- A small gift
Children can help choose the ribbon and arrange the gift. An adult can help with any knots that are difficult for little hands. The best part? The recipient can keep the placemat and use it again.
5. Make a Harvest Gift Display– Best for: Cloth or thicker placemats
Sometimes the easiest craft is simply finding a new way to use something you already own. Place a fall placemat underneath a basket of apples, a few small pumpkins, a favorite cookbook, or a collection of harvest goodies. Add a handwritten gift tag or a homemade paper leaf.
You can use this idea to put together a small hostess gift, decorate a kitchen table, or create a harvest-themed display for your home. Children can help arrange the items and make the gift tag. Just make sure any candles, fragile decorations, or small objects that could be choking hazards are kept away from little ones who shouldn’t handle them. No sewing, no complicated instructions, and no need to purchase an entirely new centerpiece.
This morning, we’re working on another idea: making fall aprons from cup towels. You don’t always need to buy fabric to make something special. Sometimes a cup towel you already own can become the starting point for a seasonal project that will be used for years and years.
For families who don’t sew, a pretend apron made from paper towels can be another way for little ones to join in the fun. It doesn’t have to last forever. The goal is to let children participate, use their imaginations, and enjoy doing something together. If you’re making an actual wearable apron, choose a suitable towel and secure it safely.
For young children, avoid loose ties around the neck and supervise the activity. Whether you’re making an apron, decorating a placemat, or putting together a little harvest gift, remember that the memories matter more than the finished product. Come and join us and lets get to crafting.
I could probably spend a long time going through all the holiday placemats I’ve collected. And that’s what I love about looking at ordinary things with a little imagination: sometimes we discover a new use for something we already own. I wanted to remind you that you don’t have to spend a fortune to decorate for fall or find a fun activity for your children. Start with the supplies in your home. Use the scraps, ribbon, paper, and placemats you’ve been saving.
And if one craft doesn’t turn out exactly as you planned? Laugh about it, try something else, and enjoy the time you spent together. Because at Greatful Moments, we’re learning that being Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed isn’t about having everything brand-new. It’s about making the most of what we’ve been given and creating memories with the people we love.
What holiday items have you collected that could be turned into something new? I’d love to hear your ideas!
GratefulMoments.com
Greatful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
