When it comes to fall decorations, pumpkins typically get all the attention. Whether it’s autumn, Halloween or Thanksgiving, these cheery orange gourds can steal the show as center pieces, floor decor and more.
But hay bales are the true winners of fall, with the award of best supporting decoration piece for Thanksgiving. While pumpkins can often be the star of the show, bales of hay still need to set the stage. Hay bales are a versatile decoration that can be used at your door or in the kitchen. Here are some of my favorite hay bale decorating ideas right on time for your Thanksgiving celebrations.
Create Scarecrows
Hay makes for great stuffing in any DIY doll! You can take apart bits of hay from the bale to build yourself a tiny outdoor scarecrow as a display decoration in your yard. Use some burlap for doll-sized clothing and wrap it around for a makeshift shirt, sleeves and a burlap hat! Two black buttons make the perfect scarecrow eyes.
Complete with a planting pot, you can tie down your scarecrow with yarn to a stake and plant it right out front for a permanent greeter to welcome your holiday guests.
Pumpkins After All
Yes, it’s true that pumpkins dominate fall décor, but, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Set the stage with bales of hay by using them as they come- bulky blocks. To create tiers of decorated pumpkins, you don’t even have to tear the bales of hay apart here. You can just place the blocks of hay in a cluster and set the pumpkins above each bale just so.
Get creative by painting each pumpkin with gold strokes or a color of your choosing. Tie a decorative ribbon around each bale and create a thematic look to match any colors added on the pumpkins. These hay bale creations look great on front porches or even as a statement piece in your living room.
A Fall Garden
In my neck of the swampy woods, Florida, most homes aren’t equipped with a front porch, let alone a front garden. Bales of hay are basically added real estate onto your front entrance, ready to hold up any extra flower decorations you might want to add. Paired with a rustic tree stump table, bales of hay add a rustic fall flair to any front door.
Extra Seating
Finally, if you need any extra seating at your Thanksgiving table, hay bales can be a great way to pull up an extra chair. Keep it simple by treating each bale as a bench, using that handy decorative ribbon for a seasonal touch. If the hay is too uncomfortable for any guests or if you are trying to prevent any potential allergic reactions, toss a burlap sack over each chair and under each ribbon. You’ll be surprised how great your dining setting comes together. That’s the great thing about fall decor, it’s extremely easy and cost-effective to implement, which is just one more thing to be thankful for this lovely 2018 Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy!
