By Carrie Harris

1. Cardboard Tube Napkin Rings: Cut an empty paper towel, toilet paper or even wrapping paper tube into sections. Then decorate them: Wrap in twine or yarn (just hot glue down each end); cover with burlap or felt; or decoupage with fabric, craft paper or wallpaper scraps. Write on names in white puffy paint or permanent marker, and you’ve got both a napkin ring and a place card.

2. Twine Napkin Rings: For a rustic look that’s perfect for autumn, wrap twine around your napkin rolls a few times, then tie in a bow. You can also wrap a small piece of fabric around your napkin before you add the twine to create interesting layers.

3. Pumpkin Napkin Rings: Attach a circular bit to a power drill, then carefully drill large holes through small decorative pumpkins. Thread your napkin rolls through them and set in the center of your plates.

Tip: You can also drill holes through small dried gourds.

4. Organic Napkin Rings: For fun DIY napkin rings, look outside—nature provides the perfect color palette for decorating! Wrap beautifully colored leaves (but not ones that are too crunchy) around napkin rolls, secure with ribbon and you’re done.

Tip: No time to collect leaves? Make your own from paper, fabric or foil using our free leaf templates.

5. Spiced Napkin Rings: Take a few cinnamon sticks, place them on top of a napkin roll, and secure with twine to create a decorative and fragrant napkin ring. Or make a napkin ring that doubles as a favor: Tie on a mulling spice sachet, along with handwritten recipes for mulled apple cider and tea.

Carrie Harris is the founder and editor of A Sweet Spot: Home, a lifestyle blog that specializes in the areas of baking, entertaining, tabletop design, cooking, and photography. When not in the kitchen, Carrie loves to read, travel, and best of all, spend time with her husband and two kids.