Thanksgiving is one of the most meaningful holidays of the year—a time centered around gratitude, family gatherings, cozy fall décor, and memorable meals. For laser-cutting and engraving enthusiasts, this season is also the perfect opportunity to bring creativity to life through unique handmade gifts, beautiful table décor, and custom fall-themed pieces. Whether you want to elevate your own celebration or create items to sell during the holiday rush, laser engraving opens the door to an entire world of Thanksgiving-inspired projects.

Below are the 10 best Thanksgiving Day laser engraving and cutting projects that combine festive charm, practical value, and the endless potential of your laser engraver.

A beautifully engraved cutting board is one of the most popular Thanksgiving projects—and for good reason. Cutting boards pull double duty as stunning décor pieces and functional kitchen essentials. With a laser engraver, you can add:

· Family names

· Established dates

· Fall-themed artwork

· Grandma's handwritten recipe

· Thanksgiving quotes

Walnut, maple, acacia, and bamboo engrave exceptionally well and offer strong contrast. Personalized cutting boards also make excellent Thanksgiving host gifts or products for holiday craft fairs.

If you want to elevate your holiday table, custom laser-cut place cards immediately add sophistication and warmth. These can be cut from wood, frosted acrylic, kraft board, or even metallic-finish material for a touch of holiday sparkle.

Popular shapes include:

· Pumpkins

· Leaves

· Acorns

· Turkeys

· Wheat bundles

You can engrave each guest's name for a personal touch or cut out the names entirely for a beautiful, script-style look. They're small, quick to produce, and perfect for batch-making if you're selling Thanksgiving table décor.

Coasters are one of the most giftable—and sellable—laser projects. Thanksgiving-inspired coaster sets can feature:

· Pumpkins

· Maple, oak, or birch leaves

· Turkeys

· "Give Thanks" quotes

· Cornucopia artwork

Use wood for a rustic farmhouse look or slate for a premium feel. Add light scoring for decorative borders or layer materials for an eye-catching multi-depth effect.

Sets of 4 or 6 in a matching holder make fantastic seasonal offerings.

Layered laser-cut signs are trending across Etsy and Pinterest—and Thanksgiving designs are among the most popular. These projects let you combine engraving, scoring, and multi-layer cutting to create dimensional artwork that stands out.

A classic design is a circle or rectangle base engraved with fall foliage, paired with raised lettering such as:

· "Give Thanks"

· "Gather"

· "Blessed"

· "Happy Thanksgiving"

Layered signs are ideal for entryways, kitchens, or dining rooms. Mix materials like Baltic birch, MDF, and acrylic to create a premium, handcrafted look.

Holiday garlands are simple to make and add instant charm to mantels, shelves, windows, and stair railings. With a laser engraver, you can create themed pieces such as:

· Pumpkin shapes

· Maple or oak leaves

· Acorns

· Turkey silhouettes

Engrave subtle details—textures, lines, and shading—onto each piece, then string them with twine or ribbon. You can even paint or stain them for a warm, autumn color palette.

Garlands are great for decorating homes, classrooms, offices, and shops.

Nothing says Thanksgiving like the dessert table—and laser-cut pie toppers are a standout way to decorate pies, cakes, and pastries. Popular messages include:

· "Thankful"

· "Give Thanks"

· "Blessed"

· "Happy Thanksgiving"

· "Pumpkin Pie Time"

You can also add themed shapes like pumpkins, wheat, or turkeys. Use food-safe materials like untreated birch or acrylic sticks. These toppers photograph beautifully—making them ideal for bakeries, Etsy sellers, and family gatherings.

Even though ornaments traditionally belong to Christmas, Thanksgiving-themed ornaments have become a rising trend. These keepsakes can commemorate the year's celebration or be used as part of a "Thankful Tree" tradition.

Ideas include:

· Pumpkin-shaped ornaments with engraved names

· Turkey silhouettes

· "Thanksgiving 2025" ornaments

· Family name tags

· Wooden leaf ornaments guests can write gratitude notes on

They're small, meaningful, and very profitable to batch-produce.

Serving trays are both decorative and functional, making them perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings. Laser engraving allows you to add:

· "Gather Together" artwork

· Thanksgiving quotes

· Family names

· Fall leaf or pumpkin patterns

Wooden trays pair beautifully with farmhouse-style décor. If you want a more modern look, use frosted or clear acrylic paired with engraved handles or edge details. Serving trays also work well as centerpieces or charcuterie boards during the holiday meal.

Laser-cut lanterns and candle sleeves bring warm, cozy fall ambiance to any room. These projects usually involve cutting intricate designs into thin wood or acrylic panels and assembling them into:

· Table lanterns

· Window lanterns

· Tea-light candle covers

· Fireplace mantel décor

Popular cutout themes include falling leaves, pumpkins, lattice patterns, or turkeys. When paired with LED candles, the light shines through beautifully, creating a soft autumn glow.

This project appeals to both DIY decorators and customers seeking high-end handmade home décor.

One of the most sentimental laser projects you can make for Thanksgiving is an engraved recipe plaque. Many families cherish handwritten recipes passed down through generations, and a laser engraver can preserve that memory forever.

Use a high-resolution scan of the handwritten recipe, then engrave it onto:

· Bamboo boards

· Maple or walnut plaques

· Slate boards

· Leather panels

This turns a simple recipe into a beautiful piece of art that can be displayed year-round. It's one of the best gift ideas for parents, grandparents, or Thanksgiving hosts.

If you want even more inspiration, here are a few popular extras:

· Leather napkin rings engraved with names or fall icons

· Wine-glass charms with laser-cut leaves or pumpkins

· Pumpkin spice latte stencils cut from acrylic or stainless steel

· Thanksgiving refrigerator magnets

· Acrylic table centerpieces featuring fall silhouettes

These small items are fast to produce and sell extremely well leading up to Thanksgiving.

To get the best results from any Thanksgiving laser project:

✔ Choose materials wisely

Birch, basswood, bamboo, walnut, maple, leather, and acrylic all engrave beautifully.

✔ Mask your material

It minimizes scorch marks and keeps engraving crisp.

✔ Use air assist

Especially for cutting wood, fall leaves, or detailed shapes like turkey feathers.

✔ Batch-produce your designs

Thanksgiving is peak season—so speeding up your workflow matters.

✔ Add paint, stain, or layered details

These small touches elevate your pieces from simple to spectacular.

1. What materials are best for Thanksgiving laser engraving projects?

Popular choices include wood, acrylic, leather, cardstock, slate, and stainless steel. Wood is the most common for rustic Thanksgiving décor, while acrylic works well for modern table signs and LED pieces.

2. Can I use a diode laser for all Thanksgiving engraving and cutting projects?

A diode laser works great for wood, leather, and coated metals, and can cut thin materials like cardstock and basswood. For thicker wood or clear acrylic cutting, a CO₂ laser performs better. Both work—just choose based on your material needs.

3. What Thanksgiving projects sell best at craft fairs?

Top sellers include engraved wooden signs, charcuterie boards, personalized coasters, thankful tags, turkey-themed earrings, and custom table décor like place settings. Personalization always increases demand.

4. How long does a laser engraving project typically take?

Small items like coasters or tags take 3–10 minutes, while larger signs may take 20–40 minutes, depending on engraving depth, size, and machine power.

5. Are Thanksgiving laser projects profitable to sell?

Absolutely. Materials like basswood and acrylic are inexpensive, and personalized seasonal items have strong demand. Many makers see 50–70% profit margins, especially on custom gifts and dinner-table décor bundles.

6. What software do I need to design Thanksgiving laser files?

The most commonly used programs are LightBurn, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Inkscape. LightBurn is the go-to for both beginners and advanced users thanks to its intuitive editing tools and machine compatibility.

Thanksgiving is all about connection, gratitude, and creating meaningful moments. Laser cutting and engraving allow you to craft décor, gifts, and keepsakes that capture the heart of the season in a truly personal way. Whether you're decorating your home, surprising a loved one, or building a seasonal product line, the ten projects above offer endless creative possibilities.

Fire up your laser engraver, pick your favorite fall materials, and start making something unforgettable this Thanksgiving.