Thanksgiving DIY: Napkin Rings

Thanksgiving crafts from recycled materials

Thanksgiving DIY: Napkin Rings from Shower Curtain Rings
Hosting Thanksgiving this year and you want to snaz-up the family table? Channel your inner Martha Stewart by crafting some Thanksgiving DIY napkin rings.

I have three ideas that are all eco-friendly, inexpensive  and a breeze to whip up.

Here’s what you need:

  • Plastic shower curtain rings
  • Yarn
  • Ribbon (1/4 inch works best)
  • Glue gun
  • DYMO label maker (The one you took from your uncle’s house in 1987 is perfect.)

Thanksgiving DIY: Napkin Rings from Shower Curtain Rings

My Ring Rant
Before we get started with the how-to part, I have a little rant about the plastic shower curtain rings we’ll be using for this Thanksgiving DIY. Please, don’t go out and buy them at the Dollar-Mart. Yes, they’re super cheap. Most places sell them for about a buck. But if you don’t have any tucked under the bathroom sink, ask some friends or family members. Any color will work. The idea with this craft is to give those forgotten rings a second life. If you purchase shower curtain rings, you’ll ruin my entire Thanksgiving. OK, that’s not true. But I promise – they’re out there. Just ask around.

I happen to have a bunch. When I bought my first house in Raleigh, NC about 14 years ago, there was a plastic shower curtain with plastic rings in the bathroom from the previous owner. I didn’t want to toss them, so I put them aside for a future craft project. Fast forward about ten years and guess what was in my D.C. home when I moved in? Yup…more plastic rings! The moral of the story is that you surely know someone like me (aka: packrats) who saves everything. Reach out to us. We need you to take these kinds of things off our hands!

Now, onto the crafting!

Option #1: Wind-up Ring

  1. Cut a really long piece of yarn, about 2 feet.
  2. Tie a knot to secure it to the shower curtain ring.
  3. Loop the yarn around the ring, pulling tightly. Basically, you’re wrapping the entire ring with yarn. Be careful not to let any of the original color of the ring show through.
  4. When you get to the part where the ring snaps closed, simply wind the yarn around the area until it’s the same thickness as the rest of the ring.
  5. When you get to the end, tie a knot to secure everything.

Note: I don’t use any glue for this. If you wrap the yarn tight enough it won’t move. Because this is such an easy craft, it’s perfect for the kids. Be sure to use yarn that you already have or whatever is on sale at the craft store. Twine works nicely too!

Thanksgiving DIY: Napkin Rings from Shower Curtain Rings

Option #2: Ribbon Ring

  1. One quarter (1/4) inch ribbon is perfect for this project. It’s the same width as most shower curtain rings. If you don’t have 1/4 inch ribbon, cut whatever you do have so it’s the same width as your curtain ring.
  2. Cut the ribbon so it’s a little longer than the length of your shower curtain ring. You want there to be a little extra for safety measures.
  3. Put a little hot glue at the clasp, and then stretch it over the ring. This ribbon goes ON TOP of the ring. It’s not wrapped around it.
  4. Add more glue and  pull the ribbon over that section. Continue  until the ring is covered. Be sure to smooth the ribbon over at each spot where there’s glue. Do not cover your ring with glue all at once and then place the ribbon on it. Too much glue will give the ring a bumpy appearance.
  5. Trim excess ribbon.

Note: You know how every once in a while you get a fancy present with really nice ribbon on it? And then you save that ribbon. Before you know it, you’ve got bunches of odd-lengthed ribbons that you have no idea what to  do with. Well, those are the ribbons you want to use for this Thanksgiving DIY.

Thanksgiving DIY: Napkin Rings from Shower Curtain Rings

Option #3: Retro Ring!

  1. If your shower curtain rings are an undesirable color (like Pepto-pink) you can give them a few spritzes of spray paint. Let them dry completely before adhering the labels.
  2. Using your totally rad DYMO label maker, punch out the names of your guests. I guess any label maker will work. But come on, the old school DYMO ones are the best!
  3. Peel off the back and secure the printed label with the adhesive. Boom! You’re done. It’s really that simple.

Notes: I love so many things about this Thanksgiving DIY. For one, after dinner is over you can peel off the labels and use the rings for other dinner parties. Two, everyone who comes to my house expects a little eco-flair with a side of 80’s awesomeness. This project kills both turkeys with one stone. Have no fear -no real turkeys were harmed by this craft.

Thanksgiving DIY: Napkin Rings from Shower Curtain Rings

You’re probably already thinking about other crafty uses for shower curtain rings. If so, you’ve got to check out this DIY Rain Chain!

Happy Gobble Gobble Day!

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  1. Pingback: Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!

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