DIY Gilded Acorn Napkin Rings

These pretty DIY Acorn Napkin Rings are a fun fall craft and a great way to dress up a seasonal or holiday table!

This post contains affiliate links for the items I used to make these napkin rings.

My husband Joel and I spent an afternoon walking through Central Park earlier this week. It was a beautiful day with the fall colors finally showing.

Autumn seems to arrive very late here, and let me tell you, I have been waiting quite impatiently!

There were so many pretty leaves that I couldn’t help but start collecting. Then we found a tree surrounded by fallen acorns, and my pockets (as well as Joel’s … he got dragged into this, too) started to resemble a squirrel with its cheeks full.

Looking somewhat like a crazy lady, I brought everything home. The leaves are pressing, and I used a few of the acorns to make these DIY Acorn Napkin Rings.

If you’re looking for Thanksgiving napkin ring ideas, this is it! They’d make the perfect addition to a Fall Inspired Tablescape, too.

I’m so happy with how these DIY Gilded Acorn Napkin Rings turned out! I mean, how pretty are those gold acorns?

They are also inexpensive and easy to make. You just need a few tools and a little gold craft paint. I used supplies I already owned, and obviously, the acorns were free.

All told, I spent a grand total of zero dollars on these cute DIY Thanksgiving Napkin Rings. Talk about a budget project!

How to Make DIY Acorn Napkin Rings

Want to make your own DIY Gilded Acorn Napkin Rings? Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 acorns per napkin ring
• awl
• paint brush
• gold paint (I used FolkArt Pure Gold)
• 20-guage jewelry wire
• jewelry tools (round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, and cutters)
• super glue (not pictured)
• ribbon
• pressed leaves, optional

Use the awl to make a hole in each acorn cap. 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.

Use the paint brush to cover the acorns with gold paint. You may need a few coats.

Let dry completely before proceeding.

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 (top left below).

Hold the wire at the base of the loop with the flat nose pliers. Bend the wire straight down (top right).

Pull both ends of the wire through the acorn top (lower left).

Snip the wire ends so they are about 1/4-inch long and then press them flush against the inside of the acorn (lower right).

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

Let dry.

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.

These DIY Gilded Acorn Napkin Rings would be perfect for Thanksgiving or any festive occasion.

Get the kids involved and make a bunch!

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the rest of my acorns and leaves!

Do you collect things on your walks, too? Tell me I’m not the only one!

P.S. Make sure to check out all of my Thanksgiving recipes, crafts, and decor ideas here.