Hi all, I plan to make my first cake decorated by me for thanksgiving. Any tips?

Welcome to Cake Central.

What ever you try, remember that it is only cake. As long as you select a cake and icing you like, even if it turns out "less that beautiful" it will still taste great

Since it is your first decorated cake, I would do something simple, yet elegant.

For a fall/Thanksgiving theme, you could frost a cake in chocolate icing with chocolate shell borders then place silk fall covered leaves on the top and maybe draping down the sides.

I don't know your skill level, so I don't know how much to help with. Have you already learned the basics using the decorating tips and bags? Or will you be self-teaching yourself throughout this specific experience?

Another fun and easy idea would be to attach kit-kat bars to the outside of the cake and fill the top of the cake with the candy pumpkins and candy corn.

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-1283441.html