Every fall, Mother Nature puts on the most spectacular show. The vibrant reds, oranges, and golden yellows almost beg to be brought indoors, and I wanted to find a unique way to showcase that beauty in my Thanksgiving décor.
Instead of decorating only my dining table, I started wondering…what if I decorated the space above it, too? That’s how these DIY Hanging Leaf Decorations—my “Leaf Tendrils”—came to life.
Made with preserved real leaves, soft chiffon ribbon, and just a few inexpensive supplies, they became the focal point of my Thanksgiving table and one of my favorite fall decorating projects to date. Best of all, they can be carefully packed away and enjoyed year after year.
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***Wanna skip to the how-to video? Click here
How to Make DIY Hanging Leaf Decorations:
- The first step was gathering all the necessary supplies. Many of these I already had, but the few supplies I needed to purchase were not expensive which is always a WIN.
Supplies for DIY Hanging Leaf Decorations:
- Leaves
- Mod Podge (or glue)
- Foam brush (but any brush can work)
- Ribbon
- Additional fall decor items (plastic/dried flowers, etc.)
- Glue gun + glue sticks
2. To create my DIY Hanging Leaf Decorations, I gathered colorful leaves from around the neighborhood, gently washed them, and laid them on paper towels to dry.. Often people will press the leaves at this point, but I opted to not do this as I wanted them to be more textured and freeform. But you do you.
3. Once the leaves were completely dry, I brushed a thin coat of Mod Podge onto one side using a foam brush. After they dried thoroughly, I repeated the process on the opposite side to help preserve their beautiful fall color and flexibility.
Hot Tip: You can also use 1/3C water to 1C glue to make your own Mod Podge.
Fun-Size Tip: If I were to do this again, I might opt instead for the matte version of Mod Podge. Having said that, the candles and chandelier played off the slight shine on the leaves, so maybe that is the best way to go. Either way, it works. It’s really just personal preference.
Now comes my favorite part…the JEUGING! 😊
4. I covered my table with newspaper before getting started (future me was grateful). Then I cut the ribbon into varying lengths to create movement and visual interest.
5. With a glue gun I attached the leaves to the ribbon. I used 1.5” chiffon ribbon in beige and it was just sturdy enough to get the effect I was looking for.
Just be careful—both the ribbon and the leaves are thin, so it’s easy to accidentally introduce your fingers to hot glue. Ask me how I know. 😉
Leaves post Mod Podge application
1.5” chiffon ribbon in beige – Photo by Amazon
6. I spaced my leaves out in bunches, but let those creative juices flow and make them your own. That’s the fun of DIY! I happened to catch Michael’s during a 60% off fall décor sale (always a happy day!), so I picked up a few inexpensive floral stems to cut apart and incorporate into my design.
I only applied leaves to one side of the ribbon, but you could absolutely decorate both sides. If you do, I’d recommend choosing a slightly sturdier ribbon to better support the extra weight.
7. Once I was confident everything was dry and secure, it was time to complete the installation. With a step ladder (of course, I’m “Fun-size”) I tied the varying sized ribbons from the chandelier in my dining room. Then my wonderful hubbie helped pin additional ribbons into the ceiling near the chandelier so the ribbons cascaded down as a focal point to the dining table.
I made nine tendrils altogether and clustered them over the center of the dining table, but there are so many ways you could personalize this idea for your own home. After Thanksgiving, I carefully wrapped each tendril in tissue paper and tucked them away for next year. One afternoon of crafting…several years of decorating? I’ll happily take that return on investment. 😊
Wrapping It Up
One of my favorite parts of decorating is finding unexpected ways to bring the outdoors in, and these DIY Hanging Leaf Decorations did exactly that. They added color, texture, and just a little whimsy to our Thanksgiving table—and I still smile every time I pull them out.
If you decide to make your own, I’d love to hear how you personalize them! Leave me a comment below and let me know what you added or changed. You know I love seeing your creativity!
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Happy Fall, friends! 🍂
