How To Make DIY Reclaimed Wood “Give Thanks” Sign

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get crafty with family, especially using wood to create rustic, heartfelt decor. In this guide, we’ll explore inspiring DIY Thanksgiving wood crafts that are beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and fun for both parents and kids.

Related: 38 Small Craft Projects for home

A rustic reclaimed wood Give Thanks sign adds farmhouse charm to any Thanksgiving decor.

There’s nothing quite like a handmade Thanksgiving wood craft to welcome guests into your home. A DIY reclaimed wood “Give Thanks” sign captures the spirit of the season in a rustic, heartfelt way. This project is beginner-friendly and perfect for parents with kids or any woodworking hobbyist looking to add a personal touch to their fall decor. Using old pallet boards or scrap wood, you’ll create a charming farmhouse-style sign that proudly displays a message of gratitude. Best of all, you don’t need any fancy tools—just some reclaimed wood or pallets, maybe a few stencils, and a dash of creativity to get started.

Read also: How To Make DIY Pallet Turkey

Materials and Tools

• Reclaimed wood boards: Old pallet planks, fence boards, or barn wood (ensure they are clean and dry).
• Saw (hand saw or jigsaw): For cutting wood to size if needed. Many home improvement stores will cut boards for you if you ask. See recommended circular saw
• Hammer and nails (or a drill and wood screws): To assemble multiple boards or attach backing supports.
• Sandpaper (medium and fine grit): For smoothing rough edges and surfaces.
• Paint or stain: Acrylic paints or wood stain in your chosen colors (e.g., white paint for letters, or stain for the wood).
• Lettering supplies: Stencils, letter stickers, vinyl cutouts, or a steady hand for painting letters. (Alternatively, wooden letters cut with a scroll saw or laser cutter for a 3D effect.)
• Paint brushes or foam brushes (and/or paint pens for detail).
• Painter’s tape: To mask areas or hold stencils.
• Wood glue (optional): For extra reinforcement when joining pieces.
• Picture hangers or twine (optional): Hardware to hang the sign, if desired.
• Clear sealant: Polyurethane, spray acrylic sealer, or Mod Podge to protect the finished sign (especially if it will be outdoors).
• Safety gear: Work gloves for handling rough wood, safety glasses when cutting or sanding.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Wood Base: Select one large board or several smaller boards to form the base of your sign. If using multiple pallet slats, cut them to equal length (e.g., 18–24 inches is a nice sign width). Align the boards side by side to create a larger sign surface. Attach two thin strips of wood across the back (one near the top, one near bottom) with nails or screws to hold the boards together. If you have a single wide board, you can skip assembly and just use that as your sign base. Remember to remove any old nails or staples from reclaimed wood before working with it for safety and to protect your tools.
2. Sand the Wood: Reclaimed wood often has rough edges or splinters. Sand all surfaces and especially the edges until they’re smooth to the touch. This not only makes the sign safer to handle (no splinters for you or the kids!) but also helps paint or stain adhere better. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth after sanding.
3. Apply Base Finish: Decide on the background finish for your sign. For a rustic look, you might stain the wood in a warm, dark tone or even leave it weathered as is. Alternatively, paint the board in a base color such as antique white or soft cream to give a farmhouse feel. If using paint, a single coat may allow some wood grain to show through for character. Let the wood dry completely before adding letters.
4. Add the “Give Thanks” Lettering: This is where your message comes to life. There are a few ways to add your “Give Thanks” text:
   Stencil or Vinyl: Secure a stencil onto the wood with painter’s tape and apply paint (for example, white paint on a dark wood background) using a foam brush or sponge in a dabbing motion. Alternatively, use pre-cut vinyl letters; arrange them on the sign, making sure they’re straight and centered, then paint over or around them, or simply leave the vinyl on as the lettering itself if it’s permanent vinyl.
   Hand-Painted: Lightly sketch the letters on the wood in pencil first (you can print out the phrase in a favorite font, rub pencil on the back of the paper, then trace it onto the wood to transfer an outline). Then paint in the letters with a small brush or paint pen. Go slow and steady for neat lines.
   3D Wooden Letters: For a professional touch, you can cut out letters from thin plywood using a scroll saw or have them laser-cut. Craft stores also sell pre-cut wooden letters. Paint these letters separately and then glue or nail them onto your sign.Whichever method you choose, step back periodically to ensure your lettering is aligned and how you like it. If using a stencil, use minimal paint on the brush to prevent bleeding under the stencil edges (less is more; you can always do a second coat). Remove stencils or vinyl masks carefully while the paint is slightly tacky or fully dry, according to the stencil type, to avoid smudging.
   
5. Decorate and Embellish (Optional): Add simple decorative touches that fit the Thanksgiving theme. You might paint a small pumpkin or leaf in the corner, or include subtle flourishes around the words. Another idea is to add leafy designs or pumpkins in warm, rustic colors to accent the text. If you’re not confident free-handing, use stencils for shapes, or decoupage cut-outs of printed graphics. Keep it balanced so the lettering remains the focal point.
   
6. Distress the Sign (Optional): If you want a more weathered, vintage look, lightly sand over some of the painted areas or edges once the paint has dried. Focus on edges and corners to expose a bit of raw wood or base coat for that aged patina. Go slowly – you can always sand more, but you can’t easily put paint back on if you remove too much.
7. Seal the Finish: Especially if this sign will be hung outdoors on a porch or door, it’s important to protect it. Once all paint is completely dry, apply a clear sealant. A coat of matte or satin polycrylic or polyurethane will preserve the paint and wood from moisture and UV damage. Even indoors, a sealer like Mod Podge or clear spray acrylic can give your sign a nice finished look and make it easier to dust off later. If you want it to last through rain and chilly winds, a coat of weatherproof sealant does the trick for outdoor signs.
8. Attach Hanging Hardware: Decide how you want to display the sign. For hanging on a wall, attach sawtooth hangers or D-ring hangers to the back. If you prefer a more rustic hanging method, staple or screw a piece of jute twine to the top back corners so the sign can hang from a nail like a rope. For a door or mantel piece, you may not need any hardware at all – it could simply lean or sit in place. Ensure whatever method you choose is secure, since wooden signs can be a bit heavy.
9. Show It Off: Your reclaimed wood Give Thanks sign is ready to display! Place it on your front porch, hang it in the entryway, or prop it up on the mantel as part of your Thanksgiving vignette. The warm, handmade charm is sure to impress guests and remind everyone of the reason for the season.

Tips & Tricks

• Choosing Wood: The more weathered the wood, the more rustic character your sign will have. Pallet wood is great (make sure it’s safe and not treated with harsh chemicals), as is wood from an old crate or leftover construction lumber. If the wood has an interesting old paint or patina, consider incorporating that into your design rather than sanding it all off.
• Letter Placement: Before committing with paint or glue, lay out your lettering style on paper or arrange the actual letters on the board. This helps to center the text and ensure you have the spacing right. A common mistake is underestimating how much space the letters take – planning ahead prevents squished or off-center text.
• Stencils & Bleeding: For crisp letters when using stencils, make sure the stencil is flat with no gaps. Use a stencil adhesive spray or tape down all edges. Use a nearly dry brush for the first coat of paint (called “dry brushing”) – it reduces bleeding. You can build up opacity with a second coat.
• Vinyl Letters Hack: If you have a vinyl cutting machine (like a Cricut), you can cut the phrase out of vinyl and use the negative as a stencil (paint through the cut-out letters), or use the letters themselves by sticking them on. If using temporary vinyl as a stencil, peel it off while paint is slightly wet to avoid peeling paint. If using permanent vinyl letters as the final look, make sure to burnish them well so they stay stuck, then seal over them with Mod Podge for durability.
• Painting Techniques: Use a foam roller for painting large wooden sign backgrounds quickly without brush marks. For lettering, paint pens (oil-based Sharpie pens or Posca markers) can give you great control for outlines or thin script, then you can fill in with a brush.
• Embellishments: Small 3D accents like laser-cut leaf shapes or wooden pumpkins can be glued on for extra flair. You can also tie a cute bow of burlap or ribbon and glue it to the corner of the sign or around the hanging twine for a touch of charm.
• Kid Involvement: This project can be a family affair. Kids can help with sanding (with supervision) and painting the base coat or background decorations. If they’re old enough, they can even paint some of the letters using stencils. It’s a fun way to teach them about woodworking and gratitude at the same time.
• No Vinyl or Stencils? If you lack stencils or cutting tools, consider the old school transfer method: print your lettering on paper, rub pencil on the backside of the paper, then place it on the wood and trace over the outlines. This will leave a light pencil outline on the wood that you can paint over. It’s an easy DIY way to get neat letters.
• Keep it Short: Phrases like “Give Thanks”, “Thankful”, or “Blessed” are popular for Thanksgiving signs because they’re brief and impactful. Longer quotes might require smaller text that’s harder to paint cleanly. Start simple – you can always make another sign with a different saying once you get the hang of it!

Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the Sanding: Jumping straight into painting without sanding the wood can lead to a rough-looking finish and even injuries. Rough reclaimed wood often hides splinters and uneven bits. Always sand enough to remove hazards while still keeping some rustic character. If you leave the surface too rough, paint can bleed or peel off unevenly.
• Ignoring Wood Condition: Not all reclaimed wood is created equal. Avoid wood that feels damp or has signs of rot – paint may not stick well and the rot can spread. If the wood is very cracked or full of holes, be prepared that your letters might not apply cleanly. You can fill large cracks with wood filler and sand smooth before painting the lettering area.
• Painting Without Primer (if using light colors): If you want white or light-colored lettering on dark wood, put down a primer or at least a base coat of light paint where the letters will go. Otherwise, the wood’s color or old stain can show through and your letters may not pop. Similarly, lettering directly on very rough, textured wood might result in uneven, blotchy text.
• Overdoing the Distress: A bit of weathering is great, but don’t sand so aggressively that you obliterate your lettering or make the words unreadable. Likewise, if you distress after sealing, you might create an uneven sheen. Plan your distressing: do it before the final clear coat, and stop when it looks naturally worn, not overly sanded.
• Uneven Lettering: Freehand painting can be tricky. Mistakes like crooked lines or inconsistent lettering size can happen. If you do slip up, don’t panic – let it dry, sand that section lightly, and try again. Or incorporate the mistake into the rustic look (tiny imperfections can add charm). Using guides like drawn lines or tape can help keep text straight.
• Not Securing Multiple Boards: If your sign is made of several boards and you only rely on glue without any backing strips or fasteners, it may fall apart, especially in changing weather. Always reinforce joined boards properly. Wood can expand and contract; a single glue joint might break over time.
• No Sealant for Outdoor Use: A beautifully painted sign can turn ugly fast if left to the elements with no protection. Sun can fade the colors, and moisture can make wood swell or paint peel. Always add that protective coat if the sign will be on a door, porch, or anywhere exposed. Even indoors, a sealant will make your work last longer.
• Hanging Mistakes: When adding hardware, measure the distance from each end so your hanger isn’t off-center (which would make the sign hang crooked). Also, use hardware appropriate for the sign’s weight – a heavy reclaimed wood sign might need anchor screws in the wall rather than just a small nail in drywall. The last thing you want is your craft crashing down.
• Making It Too Perfect: This might sound odd, but remember that the charm of rustic wood crafts is their imperfection. Don’t fuss over every minor flaw. Embrace the weathered look, the brushstrokes, and the little quirks. Your sign should look handmade with love, not factory-produced.

With your Give Thanks sign completed, you’ve created not just a decoration but a meaningful reminder to be grateful. Every time you see it, you’ll recall the fun of making it and the family memories shared. This reclaimed wood project is more than a craft – it’s a piece of Thanksgiving spirit you can cherish year after year.

Best wishes,

Alexander.