Dress Up Your Fall Table With These Floating Leaf Place Cards

With autumn gatherings aplenty and Thanksgiving just around the corner, these floating glass place cards will spice up any tablescape. Made in the shape of natural fall leaves, use them to add a touch of seasonal charm while directing guests to their seats at your next dinner party.

Things You’ll Need

  • Leaves (real or artificial)
  • Kraft cardstock
  • Pen
  • Scissors
  • Calligraphy pen or felt-tipped marker
  • Rimmed glasses

For a realistic and natural leaf shape, collect a handful of different leaf varieties that have fallen from trees around your neighborhood. These leaves will be used as templates for the place cards.

Tip: If you have limited access to leaves in your area, pick up a sprig of artificial varieties at your local dollar store, craft center or floral shop.

Trace the leaves onto kraft cardstock, drawing a modified stem at the base.

Carefully cut each leaf shape from the cardstock.

Fold each leaf in half, keeping in mind they won’t be perfectly symmetrical. The goal is to get a crease lined up between the center of the leaf tip and base near the stem.

Make an upward-facing diagonal cut on the fold about halfway between the center of the fold and base of the leaf. This cut should be about 1/2 inch (1 cm) long.

When unfolded, this cut opens and acts as a tab to tuck onto the rims of glasses, creating that “floating” effect.

Tuck the leaves onto each glass rim.

If you have a confirmed guest list, letter the names of each guest across the leaves before tucking along the rim. Set the table in advance if you prefer assigned seating, or let them take their glass to their chosen seat with an open seating plan.

Kid-Friendly Tips: To get the kids involved, task them with hunting down the perfect leaves. Let them trace the shapes, and help them with making a centered crease. For a family gathering, have them color the paper leaves and even write out each family member’s name.

Looking for more fall decorating ideas? Check out these projects for embellishing faux antlers and creating an indoor fall wreath with a modern feel using the paper from recycled grocery bags.

Cheers,
Mary & Tim

Keep up with Mary and Tim’s adventures in DIY, home and gardening on their collaborative lifestyle blog, 17Apart. Find them on Instagram (@17Apart) and page through delicious recipes on Tim’s food blog, E.A.T.

Photo credits: Mary & Tim Vidra

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Keep up with Mary and Tim’s adventures in DIY, home and gardening on their collaborative lifestyle blog, 17Apart. Find them on Instagram (@17Apart) and page through delicious recipes on Tim’s food blog, E.A.T.

Photo credits: Mary & Tim Vidra