Learn how to decorate a tray that is perfect for Thanksgiving! You can make this Fall serving dish or platter in minutes, display it around your home, or serve your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
This same method can be used to make a tray for a variety of seasons and holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. When shopping, look for plain trays, then adorn them with vinyl using your Cricut Maker. For more Thanksgiving ideas, visit this list of DIY decorations for the table!
This was originally posted on October 17, 2017. However, I am reposting it with more information.
How To Decorate A Tray
This crafty serving dish is one of my favorite pieces of Thanksgiving decor. Every year, I get super giddy about Fall because I know I get to pull out my favorite Autumn decorations, such as burlap, leaf garlands, pumpkins, and other Fall-friendly things.
You will love how easy this project is! Make several of these platters for special occasions or whenever you want your table to look nice. They also make perfect gifts!
Supplies Needed To Decorate A Tray
- White Metal Tray or Round Tray: Try Amazon for a few options here.
- Cricut Cutting Machine: Want to see the difference between the machines? I compared the Cricut Maker and Explore here.
- Vinyl: Use whatever color you like. I used a dusty metallic bronze shade because it is a great fall color and goes with many other colors.
- Transfer Tape: You can find this at your local craft store or online by clicking the link.
- Weeding Tools: This will make your life much easier! These little tools allow you to remove any leftover adhesive to display your wonderful design and text.
- Free Downloadable File: Click here to download.
NOTE: Get creative and use different options for your tray. Gather all of the materials before starting this craft.
Step 1: Download The Be Grateful File
Start by downloading the file here and importing it into Design Space. Then, when you are on your canvas in Design Space, click Upload.
Step 2: Upload File To Design Space
Click Upload Image and then find the image in a folder on your computer.
Step 3: Erase Excess Parts
If you choose to use a PNG or JPG file when uploading, you will get a screen where you will need to erase all of the excess parts that you do not want.
You can click on all those excess portions, which will change to a checked image like the one below.
NOTE: You will have to click the center of each leaf and letter.
Step 4: Save As A Cut Image
When you are done, click Continue to preview it on the next page. If there is more you need to erase, click the back button. Save as a cut image only, click the cut image, and then click Continue.
Step 5: Insert Image
Now the image is in your uploads, and you can click it and then click Insert Images.
Step 6: Resize The Image To Fit The Tray
Resize the image here to the desired size for your tray.
Step 7: Cut From Vinyl
Then, cut the entire thing from vinyl using your Cricut. Remove any excess using weeding tools or just by hand. I find that the use of weeding tools is much faster and easier, however.
Step 9: Add Transfer Tape To Vinyl
Add transfer tape to the front, burnish well, and peel to remove.
Step 10: Add Design To Tray
Carefully place your design on your tray. Rub down well, and peel back the transfer tape to reveal it. You can use this same method for tray decoration ideas any time of the year.
This one can be used to serve something at Thanksgiving, decorate your home, or bring some Snickerdoodles to your friends!
Make this Thanksgiving tray today! You will love the results and how easy it is to make with your Cricut. Adding your tray decoration ideas to your home is just minutes away!
How To Use Decorative Tray
As the temperatures cool, it’s the perfect time for delicious food, family gatherings, and friends. To enhance your home-cooked meals, serve them on a beautiful platter. These platters can hold your favorite desserts, salads, finger foods, sandwiches, and salty snacks. Your guests will enjoy the taste of your Thanksgiving dishes and the visual appeal!
You can also use the tray decoration idea to create a beautiful gift for loved ones for birthdays or holidays, as a home-welcoming gift, or just because (my favorite kind of gift)!
You can even display them on the walls or stand them up with a stand to display the beauty of the trays! It looks perfect on your kitchen counter or displayed on a shelf, too.
FAQs About How To Decorate A Tray
If you have questions about decorating a tray, I have answers! If you don’t see your question answered below, please leave it in the comments.
Can You Make This Project Any Size?
Yes, you can! You can buy any size tray for this project. However, if you use our Be Grateful file, you may need to resize it to fit the tray you are using.
What Cricut Machine Can I Use For This Project?
All of them! The Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore series, Cricut Joy, Cricut Joy Xtra, and Cricut Venture can all cut vinyl!
The only thing to remember is that each Cricut machine is different regarding project size capabilities and the materials it can cut. So, depending on your project, you might need to resize the SVG file or cut it out in a different material.
Do You Have More Resources About How To Use Cricut Design Space?
Yes, I do! Check out the blog posts below to learn more about using Cricut Design Space.
- What is Cricut Design Space? How Does It Work?
- How To Use Cricut Design Space Guides
- How to Use Cricut Design Space for Desktop
Is This Tray Food Safe?
No, it’s not. This tray is designed to carry food or snacks in food-safe bowls or plates.
7 Thanksgiving Fall-Themed Crafts
Did you love learning how to decorate a tray? Are you looking for even more Thanksgiving fall-themed crafts? Then check out the ideas below!
- Thanksgiving Wreaths
- Deco Mesh Pumpkin Wreath
- Painted Rocks Tic Tac Toe Game for Thanksgiving
- Welcome Pumpkin SVG + 11 Fall Sign Cut Files
- DIY Thanksgiving Decorations for Your Table
- Coloring Page Placemats For Thanksgiving
- Succulent Cornucopia for Thanksgiving
I spy my trick or treat design from when you helped me troubleshoot my Cricut. 😉 Love this project!
HA HA! Yep! It is still in my uploads!
What a pretty plate! I’d like to make one of these myself.
SO cute!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
It looks great and your instructions are beautifully clear.
This is so pretty, Angie!
How clever! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things! We love having you join us! Angelina @ Peonies and Orange Blossoms
Beautiful, love the way it turned out!
Wow! Gorgeous tray for the season. Thanks for sharing!
Very fun idea for Thanksgiving coming up. Thanks for sharing.
Whatever you do is gorgeous! Great idea for a seasonal tray 🙂
Your plate turned out so pretty, I just love it! I decided to use your post as a feature at Happiness Is Homemade Link Party this coming week, congrats!
Thanks so much for the feature!
Whatever this is-tray or plate – whichever this could be looks so nice, love it. You are such a talented lady. Do you sleep at night or lie awake thinking up fantastic projects?
Since I haven’ t really installed my Cricut can’t do this but did print out and download the project. Maybe someday will get my brains together and be able to use my Cricut. My wouldn’t that be some thing? .lol.
Thought would at least download design and print out the how to which might help me get thru it. Aren’t you glad you’re smart and can do things unlike me.
Meanwhile will try to use the design on a plate for our daughter. No sense letting design go to waste right?
Hope you’re having wonderful weekend so far
Good luck Jane! I know it will look wonderful!
This is such a great project for Thanksgiving & would make a lovely hostess gift, too. Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday!
Decorated trays are such a clever way to add festive flair to any table! Perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.
I agree, I love them 🙂