DIY Acorn Napkin Rings

Looking for fall napkin ring ideas? Make these pretty DIY Acorn Napkin Rings! This fun autumn craft is easy to make, and it's great way to dress up a seasonal or holiday table ... perfect for Thanksgiving!

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My husband and I spent an afternoon walking through Central Park this week. The fall colors were finally showing, and it was beautiful! There were so many pretty leaves that I couldn't help but start collecting them. And then we found a tree surrounded by fallen acorns, and I started stuffing my pockets (and Joel's ... he got dragged into this, too), quickly resembling a squirrel with its cheeks full!

I love a fall craft project, so as soon as we got home, I started pressing the colorful leaves. And then, I used a few of the acorns to make these pretty DIY Acorn Napkin Rings!

If you're also looking for crafts to make with acorns, then these handmade fall napkin holders are for you! The painted acorns are easy to make, and they look so beautiful tied with a bow around a napkin.

This project is also inexpensive and easy to make. The acorns are free, and you just need a few tools and a little gold craft paint. I was able to use supplies I already owned, so I spent a grand total of zero dollars on these cute DIY Napkin Rings. Talk about a budget friendly project!

These lovely napkin holders would make a wonderful addition to any autumn place setting. And they'd be perfect for Thanksgiving, too. Gold and blue not your colors? No worries, you can easily change up the ribbon and paint colors to customize the acorns for any style of decor.

Ready to get started? Then keep reading for the step by step tutorial!

Supplies

This easy craft project uses basic supplies! Here's what you'll need:

• Acorns - For each napkin ring, you'll need two acorns. It's better to gather more acorns than you think you'll need, just in case they get damaged, or the caps are difficult to remove.
• Awl - You'll use an Awl to punch a hole in the acorn caps.
• Paint - Inexpensive craft paint works perfectly for this project. I used FolkArt Pure Gold, but you can use any color you'd like. Paint the acorns a cream color, for a neutral colored table, or paint them a vibrant rainbow of colors ... it's up to you!
• Paint Brush - Grab a small paint brush to apply the paint.
• Wire - You'll thread jewelry wire through the acorn tops to create a little loop for attaching ribbon. Wire comes in different weights, but 20-guage jewelry wire will work best.
• Tools - An inexpensive set of jewelry tools has everything you need for these rings (round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, and cutters). Tip: If you don't have (or want to buy) jewelry tools, check out your tool chest ... you can probably find similar tools there.
• Glue - You'll use super glue to reattach the acorn tops to the bottoms.
• Ribbon - Choose a narrow ribbon that coordinates with your table.
• Leaves - If you want, you can slide a colorful leaf under the napkin ring. I used pressed leaves, but faux leaves or these free printable leaf place cards would also be pretty!

How to Make Acorn Napkin Rings

This fun fall project has a few steps, but each one is quite easy. You'll find printable directions at the end of this article, but here's a detailed overview of the steps:

1. Prep Acorn Caps

Start by removing the acorn caps. Then use the awl to make a hole in the center of each cap. Tip: Take your time, because the caps are fragile and will split if you go too fast. I recommend using a self-healing mat to protect your table.

2. Paint Acorns

Next, use the paint brush to cover the acorns with gold paint. Let the paint dry completely before proceeding. Tip: You may need a few coats. Let the paint dry between each coat.

3. Add Wire to Caps

Cut a 5-inch piece of wire, then make a loop in the center of the wire by wrapping the wire around the round nose pliers (see top left photo below). Tip: The loop should be large enough for the ribbon to pass through later.

Next, hold the wire at the base of the loop with the flat nose pliers. Bend the wire straight down (see top right photo below).

Pull both ends of the wire through the acorn top (lower left photo). Then snip the wire ends so they are about ¼-inch long and then press them flush against the inside of the acorn (lower right).

4. Glue Acorns Back together.

Attach the tops and bottoms of the acorns together using the super glue. Let dry.

5. Assemble the Napkin Rings

Cut a piece of ribbon about a foot long. Tie a single knot around a napkin, then slide an acorn onto each end of the ribbon.

Make another knot in the ribbon to hold the acorns in place, then tie a bow.

Trim the ends of the ribbon, and you are done! I slipped a leaf behind the bow for a little extra color. You could use the leaf as a place holder. Just write your guests' names on the leaves using a gel pen.

Didn't they turn out cute? These DIY Acorn Napkin Rings would be a fun project for the whole family. Younger children can paint the acorns, while old kids and teens can craft the napkin holders on their own.

And now I just need to figure out what to do with the rest of my acorns and leaves, ha! Do you collect things on your walks, too? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

More Fall Craft Ideas

Looking for more handmade fall crafts and decor ideas? Try one of these fun projects next:

• Printable Fall Leaves Coloring Page
• Hello Fall Printable - Instant wall decor!
• Fall Bucket List
• Halloween Craft Party
• Fall Leaves Tablescape
• Printable Thanksgiving Place Cards
• DIY Fall Decorating Ideas

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Acorn Napkin Rings

Learn how to make beautiful Fall Napkin Rings with acorns and ribbons!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Active Time30 minutes mins

Drying Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Yield: 1 napkin ring

Author: Ginnie

Equipment

• awl
• small paint brush
• 20-gauge jewelry wire
• jewelry tools (round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, and cutters)

Materials

• 2 acorns
• craft paint
• super glue
• 1 napkin
• 12 inches narrow ribbon (about ¼ to ⅝-inch wide)
• 1 leaf

Instructions

Prep + Paint Acorn Caps

• Remove the acorn caps from the acorns.
• Press awl into center of each acorn cap to make a small hole.
  
• Cover the acorns with paint. Let dry. (You may need multiple coats.)
  

Add Wire to Caps

• Cut a 5-inch piece of wire. Make a loop in the center of the wire by wrapping the wire around the round nose pliers.
• Hold the wire at the base of the loop with the flat nose pliers. Bend the wire straight down.
• Pull both ends of the wire through the acorn top.
• Snip the wire ends so they are about ¼-inch long and then press them flush against the inside of the acorn.
  

Glue Acorns Together

• Attach the tops and bottoms of the acorns back together using the super glue. Let dry.
  

Assemble Napkin Rings

• Cut a piece of ribbon about 1 foot long. Tie a single knot around a napkin, then slide an acorn onto each end of the ribbon.
• Make another knot in the ribbon to hold the acorns in place, then tie a bow.
• Trim the ends of the ribbon. Slip a leaf behind the bow for a little extra color.
  

Did you try this project?I love seeing what you're making! Leave a comment below, or tag @HelloLittleHome or #hellolittlehome on Instagram!