You love Thanksgiving. It is such a special holiday, with its message of thanksgiving and family togetherness. This year, you really want to go all out with a few great Thanksgiving decorating ideas and some simple project ideas for handmade decorations.

One fun idea is to hollow out gourds to use as votive candle holders. Hollow gourds also are a great way to turn small plastic drink tumblers into festive autumn favor holders. Simply use the gourds as slip covers for the tumblers and then fill the tumblers with candy wrapped in fall colored foil or other Autumn party favors.

Another simple Thanksgiving decorating idea is to create paper chains similar to the traditional Christmas chains children have been making for generations. Use red, orange, yellow and brown paper instead of the red, white and green paper you use during the Christmas season. To make this project really special, don't finish the chain until Thanksgiving day. As guests come in the front door, greet them with a black marker and a strip of paper. Ask them to write something they are thankful for on the paper and then add their strip to the chain.