I have a dream that one day my Thanksgiving table will look as elegant as those in the magazines that I love to look at. My place settings will all match, the tablecloth will not have a wrinkle in sight, and the fresh flowers in the centerpiece will be freshly picked from my own garden. Although I love my family’s Thanksgivings, they are a far cry from those magazine images. That doesn’t mean that my table won’t look fabulous, however. It’s the little touches that make the table special.

Those little touches are often handmade items that are easy to make, but look like you fussed. One such item is a handmade place card. Whether you’re making just a few place cards for your immediate family or you’re making several in an assembly line, these beautiful place cards will be the focal point of your Thanksgiving table.

Harvest Place Card by Tiffany Johnson

Supplies: Cardstock: Papertrey, Glitter: Martha Stewart Crafts, Ink: Memento (Tsukineko), Markers: American Crafts, Copic Markers, Other: thread. Tools: Electronic Cutter: Pazzles, Punch: EK Success, Stamps: Lawn Fawn, Other: craft knife, sewing machine.

Design Notes: Before scoring the place card, use a craft knife to detail cut one of the stamped and colored shapes to add dimension.

Thanksgiving Place Card Trio by Michele Gross

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Papertrey Ink, Ribbon: Papertrey Ink, Glitter Glue: Ranger Industries, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Markers: Stampin' Up!, Cork Sheet: QuicKutz, Birch Wood Sheet: Creative Imaginations. Tools: Die Cut Machine, Dies: Sizzix (Ellison), Punches: Stampin' Up!, Stamps: DeNami Design.

Design Notes: I love texture in my projects. Stamping on cork or wood is just as easy as stamping on cardstock, looks great with rich fall colors and adds cool texture. Die cutting, punching, and even heat embossing are just as easy!

Mom Place Card by Stephanie Muzzulin

Supplies: Paper: BasicGrey, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Ink: Memento (Tsukineko), Thread: May Arts. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Dies: Spellbinders, Stamps: My Favorite Things, Unity Stamp Company.

Design Notes: Add visual interest to your place card by folding a die-cut shape in half. The scrolled edges of this die-cut complement the patterned paper and leaf shapes perfectly.