Puzzle Piece Pumpkin Place Cards

Puzzle piece Thanksgiving place cards are a fabulous DIY way to dress up your holiday table for fall.

They're also a great way to upcycle those old puzzles with missing pieces. 

It's a win-win for sure!


About a month ago, I made this pretty puzzle piece pumpkin and used it as part of my fall home décor.

I mentioned that in addition to a fall sign or a picture frame, it could be employed in many other ways.

Today I'm sharing one such example.

I simply printed up my guest's name on a piece of card stock and voila, now I have another pretty Thanksgiving place card.

I like drama in my decorating, so my pumpkins are big. I want them to make a statement equal to that of my hot glue/ painted pumpkin centerpiece. 

I also want them on the larger side, as my guests will take them home and a big pumpkin will be more functional for them to use in their own decorating next fall.

Larger place cards can also be hung off the back of a chair, if you add twine.

Of course, if you want smaller place cards, it's very easy to resize your pumpkins.

Smaller pumpkins can also be mounted on a slice of paper towel roll to make name card napkin holders. The shape can be altered to fit your fancy, as well ~ turkeys, acorns, leaves, etc.

Like I said in the original post, which also includes the complete how to, the possibilities are truly endless.

Making A Pumpkin With Puzzle Pieces

Here are the quick and easy instruction. You can peek at the craft card below for the steps and supplies, too.

I started with an old puzzle.

You can find them at garage sales and thrift stores for like a quarter apiece and at the dollar store for, well, a dollar.

The pattern doesn't matter. Just grab one that had puzzle pieces in a size you feel will work well.


Next, I cut up an old cereal box to make a pumpkin template.

As I said, any shape you like will do, but keep the outline simple. It's easier to work with that way.



In order to have a cohesive look, I painted the frame in same color as the pieces I applied.

This way if I missed a spot, you'd never know. I painted all my puzzle pieces and my cardboard with craft paint.

In the old days, when I made crafts like this at school, I would spray paint the pieces. It's much quicker when you're working with a large batch.


Lastly, I glued the puzzle pieces on to the frame with hot glue and went over the entire pumpkin with sparkly Mod Podge.

Holidays deserve a little sparkle, don't you think?


Now, place cards are fun, but if you really want to raise the hostess bar, you could take a Thanksgiving group shot and send everyone home with a copy, ready to be framed in their puzzle piece name card party favor to remember the holiday!

Wait. What?

You don't think you'll have time to orchestrate the perfect group shot, download the pictures and print up a copy for your army of guests in between cooking, serving & cleaning up?

Don't worry, neither will I!


I'm not just a pumpkin puzzle crafter, check out my puzzle piece craft ideas for Christmas.

I've also used them to make Valentine pretties, too!

I hope that you are enjoying fall and this wonderful Thanksgiving season!

What do you think of my puzzle piece recycle?

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