The other day I popped into Dollar Tree “just for one thing” (you know how that goes), and somehow walked out with a bag full of random fall goodies—tiny pumpkins, faux leaves, even some twine I didn’t know I needed. Honestly, fall just does that to me. There’s something about the crisp air and warm colors that makes me want to craft my little heart out. But here’s the thing: crafting can get expensive fast, right? That’s why I love Dollar Tree fall craft ideas—because they let me scratch that creative itch without emptying my wallet. Maybe you’ve felt the same—wanting to make your home feel cozy and festive, but not wanting to spend a fortune at fancy stores. If that’s you, you’re in the right spot. Stick around, because I’m going to share simple, affordable, and actually fun ways to turn Dollar Tree finds into beautiful fall décor.
Dollar Tree Fall Craft Ideas
Dollar Tree Fall Craft Ideas are a fun and affordable way to bring the beauty of autumn into your home. With simple supplies like faux leaves, mason jars, and pumpkins, you can create cozy décor on a budget.
Mason Jar Leaf Lanterns
One of my favorite Dollar Tree fall crafts has to be the mason jar leaf lanterns. I’ve made these more than once, and every time I light one up, I get that cozy, autumn vibe instantly. All you need are some faux fall leaves, Mod Podge, and a mason jar. I usually grab those LED tea lights because I don’t trust myself with real candles around all that paper and glue. The first time I tried it, I ended up with sticky fingers everywhere but hey, that’s part of the fun.
Honestly, what I love is how forgiving this project is. If a leaf sticks in the wrong place, I just slap another one on top. The glow through those orange and red leaves at night? Magical. I even once gifted a pair to my neighbor, and she thought I bought them from a fancy boutique. That’s the joy of Dollar Tree crafts—you get boutique vibes for pocket change.
Leaf Garland

Leaf garlands are one of those things that instantly change the feel of a room. The first time I strung one across my mantel, I just sat there staring at it like, “Wow, this looks straight out of Pinterest.” Dollar Tree sells those packs of faux leaves, and all you really need is string or twine.
Sometimes I just clip the leaves on with mini clothespins, which makes it super easy to adjust. My kids once helped me string them, and they got all creative, layering colors and patterns I wouldn’t have thought of. Honestly, I love how something so simple can fill a space with fall warmth. I even draped one across my staircase railing, and my mom thought I’d splurged at a home décor store. That’s the magic—it looks way more expensive than it is.
DIY Fall Wreaths
Every fall, I swear I get this itch to hang something new on my door. DIY fall wreaths from Dollar Tree stuff are my little seasonal obsession. The first time I made one, I bought way too many leaves, and my wreath looked like it had exploded—but in the best way possible. A foam wreath form, faux leaves, some ribbon, and hot glue are all you need. Simple, right?
In my opinion, the trick is mixing textures. I love combining pinecones, small pumpkins, and burlap. I even once tucked a little scarecrow pick in there, and it made people smile as soon as they walked up. To be fair, it takes a little patience with the hot glue, and I’ve burned myself more than I’d like to admit, but when I step back and see that wreath on my door, it feels worth it. It’s like an instant “welcome to fall” sign.
Pumpkin Centerpieces
Dollar Tree pumpkins might look a little cheap on the shelf, but oh man, with a little paint and creativity, they can be the star of your table. I once spray-painted a whole bunch of them in white and gold, and suddenly my dining room looked like something out of a magazine. It’s crazy how paint transforms those foam pumpkins into something fancy.
I usually cluster three or four pumpkins together, mix in some pinecones, and maybe add fairy lights if I’m feeling extra. My husband once joked that I was turning our table into a pumpkin patch, and honestly, he wasn’t wrong. But that’s the fun! For Thanksgiving, I even wrote people’s names on mini pumpkins as a seating idea. Everyone thought it was adorable. In my opinion, pumpkin centerpieces are the easiest way to look like you put in major effort without actually spending much time or money.
Burlap Ribbon Pumpkins
Okay, I’ll admit—I was skeptical when I first saw people making pumpkins out of burlap ribbon. But once I tried it, I was hooked. You basically wrap the ribbon around a foam pumpkin (or even a ball), and suddenly it looks rustic and expensive. The texture of the burlap just screams fall.
To be fair, it does take some fiddling to make the ribbon lay flat, but once you add a stick or cinnamon stick as the stem, it all comes together. I even tied on little twine bows for extra cuteness. I’ve put these on my mantel, my entry table, even as little accents in the bathroom (yes, bathroom pumpkins are a thing in my house). They look like something you’d buy at a farmhouse boutique, but they cost maybe three bucks total. Honestly, these are a craft I keep coming back to every year.
Painted Pinecones

Painted pinecones are such a throwback for me. My grandma used to paint them white and put glitter on them for Christmas, but I’ve found they’re perfect for fall too. Dollar Tree often has bags of pinecones, and with a little paint—think gold, copper, or even just a dry brush of white—you’ve got instant décor.
I usually toss mine in a bowl as a centerpiece, but one year I glued a few onto a wreath, and it turned out gorgeous. To be fair, painting pinecones can get messy (I still find glitter in random places months later), but I kind of love that chaos. It’s one of those crafts where no two ever look alike. Honestly, if you want something easy that feels nostalgic and cozy, painted pinecones are it.
Fall Candle Holders
Candle holders are my weakness. Something about a glowing candle makes everything feel cozier. Dollar Tree has glass holders that are perfect for fall makeovers. I’ve Mod Podged leaves onto them, wrapped them in twine, even painted them with frosted glass spray. Each one looks completely different, which is the fun part.
The first time I made these, I accidentally dripped glue all over the table, and my cat walked through it—so yeah, it was memorable. But when I finally lit those candles, the way the light flickered through the leaves was magical. To be fair, you have to be careful with real flames and glued-on stuff, so I always use LED candles now. Honestly, these little candle holders are such a cheap way to make your home feel like a cozy autumn retreat.
Rustic Wooden Signs

I don’t know about you, but I can’t resist those little wooden signs at Dollar Tree. They’re basically blank canvases begging to be turned into rustic fall art. I’ve painted “Welcome Fall” on one, stenciled pumpkins on another, and even tried my hand at farmhouse-style lettering. Did they turn out perfect? Nope. But that’s the charm.
One time, I hot glued twine around the edges to give it more texture, and it looked way fancier than I expected. Honestly, these signs make great gifts too. My friend once thought I bought mine from Hobby Lobby, which made me laugh because it was literally a $1 find and some leftover paint. In my opinion, rustic wooden signs are one of those crafts where your personality really shines through—there’s no wrong way to do it.
Candy Corn Vases
Okay, so candy corn isn’t my favorite to eat (don’t come for me), but as décor? Yes, please. I filled a Dollar Tree vase with layers of orange, yellow, and white beads to mimic candy corn, and it looked adorable. I’ve also seen people actually use real candy corn, but in my house, that would just lead to sneaky snacking.
One year I stuck faux sunflowers into the candy corn vase, and suddenly it was this cheerful little arrangement on my counter. My sister laughed when she saw it, but then she made one too because it was just so fun. Honestly, it’s one of those crafts that doesn’t take much effort, but it brightens up the room instantly. In my opinion, candy corn vases are perfect if you’re looking for something quick but festive.
Decorative Fall Jars with Fairy Lights
This one might be my absolute favorite. I mean, who doesn’t love fairy lights? I’ve stuffed them into painted jars, wrapped the outside in twine, even added little leaf decals. When you switch on those lights in the evening, the whole room feels like a cozy autumn evening.
One time I made a set of three and lined them up on my windowsill. My husband actually stopped and said, “Okay, that’s really nice.” That’s rare for him to notice crafts, so I took it as a win. Honestly, this is the kind of Dollar Tree craft that looks like it could be sold in a boutique. In my opinion, decorative jars with fairy lights are the perfect mix of easy, affordable, and show-stopping.
Autumn-Themed Wall Art

Wall art sounds intimidating, but with Dollar Tree supplies, it doesn’t have to be. I’ve grabbed canvas boards, printed out fall quotes, and just Mod Podged them on. Instant art. Another time, I painted abstract leaves in warm colors, and even though I’m no artist, it looked good once it was on the wall.
Honestly, I think the secret is not overthinking it. Fall colors—reds, oranges, yellows—always look warm and inviting. My niece once helped me make one, and she insisted on adding glitter everywhere, which turned out better than I expected. To be fair, not every piece I make ends up a masterpiece, but that’s part of the charm. Autumn wall art makes your home feel seasonal without spending a fortune.
Harvest Table Settings
Table settings are where I go a little overboard, I’ll admit. Dollar Tree napkins, chargers, and faux pumpkins can make a simple dinner feel like a harvest feast. One Thanksgiving, I made little napkin rings out of twine and leaves, and everyone thought I’d spent hours preparing. Truth? It took 20 minutes.
I love mixing textures—wooden chargers with shiny glassware, a burlap runner with gold accents. Honestly, it’s the little details that make people feel special when they sit down. My kids once decorated their own paper place mats with fall stickers, and we used them at dinner. It was chaotic but memorable. In my opinion, harvest table settings are the easiest way to turn an everyday meal into something festive.
Scarecrow Mason Jars
This one always makes me smile. I paint mason jars to look like scarecrows—little stitched mouths, button eyes, and straw hair from raffia. They’re whimsical and a little goofy, but that’s what makes them fun. I even made a set of three once, each with a different expression, and lined them up on my mantel.
The best part? Kids love helping with these. My daughter painted one with a giant crooked smile, and it’s still my favorite jar to this day. Honestly, scarecrow mason jars are less about perfection and more about personality. In my opinion, they’re the kind of craft that brings out your playful side. Every time I see mine, I can’t help but grin.
DIY Fall Coasters
Coasters might not sound exciting, but hear me out. I once made a set with Dollar Tree tiles and Mod Podged fall napkins onto them. They turned out so pretty, I almost didn’t want to use them. I sealed them with Mod Podge waterproof spray, and suddenly they were both functional and decorative.
To be fair, my first set peeled a little because I didn’t seal them enough, but that just gave me an excuse to try again. Now I pull them out every fall, and guests always ask where I bought them. Honestly, I love telling people, “Oh, just made them with Dollar Tree stuff.” In my opinion, DIY coasters are a sneaky way to add fall flair without cluttering your space.
Thanksgiving Place Card Holders
This might sound extra, but I love making personalized place card holders for Thanksgiving. Dollar Tree has mini pumpkins, pinecones, and little wood slices that are perfect for this. I once hot glued a pinecone onto a wood slice and stuck a card in the top—it looked like something from a magazine.
Honestly, the reactions make it worth the effort. My family loves seeing their names at their spots, and it just makes the table feel thoughtful. One year, my uncle even kept his card holder and used it as an office decoration. To be fair, not everyone will notice the little details, but in my opinion, it’s those details that make a holiday dinner feel truly special.
Tips for Crafting on a Budget
Crafting doesn’t have to be expensive, especially when using Dollar Tree supplies. With a little creativity and smart planning, you can make beautiful fall crafts without spending much. Here are some helpful tips to keep your projects budget-friendly:
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Repurpose items from home – Use jars, old frames, or leftover fabric instead of buying new materials.
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Combine supplies for multiple crafts – Buy versatile items like ribbons, faux leaves, or mason jars that can be used in several projects.
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Shop seasonal clearance early – Grab fall items on sale at the end of the season and save them for next year’s crafts.
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Use hot glue, paint, and ribbons to upgrade basic items – A little glue, paint, or a ribbon can instantly transform plain Dollar Tree finds into festive décor.
FAQ
What supplies can I find at Dollar Tree for fall crafts?
You can find mason jars, faux leaves, pumpkins, ribbons, candles, burlap, pinecones, and seasonal décor items perfect for crafting.
Are Dollar Tree fall crafts kid-friendly?
Yes! Kids can enjoy simple projects like paper plate pumpkins, leaf rubbings, and painted rocks using safe, affordable supplies.
How can I make Dollar Tree crafts look more expensive?
Add personal touches with paint, hot glue, and ribbons, or mix in a few higher-quality items like fairy lights or wooden pieces.
Can I decorate my whole home with Dollar Tree fall crafts?
Absolutely! You can create wreaths for the door, centerpieces for the table, garlands for the mantel, and cozy accents for every room.

Hi, I’m Victoria, an art and craft teacher at Newark City Schools, where I have the joy of working with middle school students to help them explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents. I believe that art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, and I strive to make every lesson a fun, engaging, and inspiring experience.
I created this website to share the art and craft projects, techniques, and resources that I use in my classroom, hoping to inspire both educators and young artists alike. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas or a student eager to try something new, I’m excited to provide creative tools and projects that anyone can enjoy.
When I’m not in the classroom, I love experimenting with different art forms and learning new crafting techniques. My goal is to help others discover the joy of making things with their hands, and I hope my website serves as a space for everyone to explore their creative potential.

