DIY Wood Place Card Holders from Tree Branches

Create easy and unique wood place card holders in 3 steps using branches from your yard- includes a DIY place card idea, too! 

You guys know I'm a believer in doing simple but thoughtful things to help our homes give joy to all who pass through, mostly with normal everyday items like candles, flowers, and garden cuttings and the holidays are a perfect time to put this belief into action.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday to me (I always feel bad that it tends to get overlooked because of Christmas), so it's one of the times I like to create a fun table that helps us enjoy the holiday more and to focus on being thankful, like this table, and this one.

My garden inspires me year-around and the fall is no different with the pumpkins ready to harvest and the leaves and flowers turning beautiful colors. So the garden inspired this Thanksgiving table and diy project, too! I found some fallen tree branches - complete with moss and lichen - and made  place card holders from them.

I just love how they turned out, and the fact that they're super easy, cost nothing and add lots of character to your holiday - or any day - table. They provide a great contrast to the brass and white plates, bringing in more of that rustic feel that is so perfect for fall and Thanksgiving.

How to Make Wood Place Card Holders

What you'll need:

• tree branch 1-1/2 to 2-inches in diameter, preferably with moss and/or lichen on some areas
• power miter saw {or miter box with hand saw}
• hand saw
• table vice/clamp

Steps:

1. Using the miter saw {or miter box and hand saw - and lots of elbow grease}, cut tree branch into 1 1/2-inch pieces. You can make them shorter or taller,  as you want - I was working around some knots and little side branches, and needed to get 6 holders, so 1 1/2-inch worked best with my branch. Make sure to hold the branch straight so that the cuts are level enough to sit on the table.

2. Place one wood piece in a table clamp/vise, tightening just enough that the wood piece doesn't move, but not enough to damage the bark.

3. Use the handsaw to saw a 1/4-inch cut into the top to hold the place card.

That's it - three steps, insert a place card and done! I love the uniqueness of each holder - some with both moss and lichen, some without.

How to Make Place Cards like These:

1. Use PicMonkey to print out your family's names with the school chalkboard background
2. Add a simple flourish found here
3. Use a favorite font, either on PicMonkey or from your computer like I did: this is called Rouge Script.
4. Print out, cut into cards and place in holders.

Creating festive Thanksgiving tables is fun for me since it's a holiday I cherish for it's focus on thankfulness, family and friends - sometimes more than even Christmas - so I hope you enjoy this quick little way to bring the outdoors to your holiday table!

Make sure to see the whole Rustic & Gold Thanksgiving Table idea here, too, that includes more easy crafts and free printables!