Thanksgiving Decorations: 'Give Thanks' Copper & Black Tray

Wooden tea trays make an excellent centerpiece decoration for Thanksgiving. This completely elegant 'give thanks' copper and black tray is so simple to create that your guest's will never believe it wasn't purchased from a home decor boutique!

For this project, you will need:

- One unfinished wooden tea tray (available at craft supply shops)
- Medium or fine grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth or similar style soft cloth
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White
- Krylon Short Cuts Hobby and Craft Paint Pen in Black
- Krylon Premium Metallic Paint in Copper Foil
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Dover White
- Fancy lettering stencils
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Newspaper and/or a large drop cloth

Cover the work area where you will be crafting your Thanksgiving tray with sheets of newspaper and/or a large sized drop cloth. Carefully sand the outside of the unfinished wooden tea tray with several layer of medium or fine grit sandpaper. Wipe down the tray with a tack cloth or other similar style soft cloth.

Prime the entire wooden tea tray using Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. Add a couple coats of primer until the grain of the wood can no longer be seen. Let the tray dry for about an hour before proceeding. Paint the outside of the tray with a light coat of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Dover White.

Once dry, paint the tray using a light but even coat of Krylon Premium Metallic Paint in Copper Foil. Again, let the tray dry completely. In pencil, use fancy lettering stencils to trace the words "Give Thanks" onto the center of the tray. Fill in the design using a Krylon Short Cuts Hobby and Craft Paint Pen in Black. Dry completely.

Use a sheet of sandpaper to lightly sand off the copper paint on the tray in random spots, exposing the white paint below. (This should only take a light amount of pressure to complete.) The more sanding done, the more "vintage" the tray appears. Wipe down the tray with the soft cloth one more time before using.

TIP: Additional details to this tray can easily be added. Consider using stencils for falling leaves, turkeys, pilgrim hats, and more. Or, consider adding a monogram or family name. This project leaves a lot of customization open to create a design that is truly unique, so use your imagination to come up with a style that suits.