Every Thanksgiving table should include a centerpiece to add to the festive feel in your home.
You can create a beautiful centerpiece quickly and inexpensively from fall flowers, pumpkins, gourds and greenery.
Here are easy to follow directions for three wonderful centerpieces.
Floral Platter
This is a simple centerpiece that you can arrange on a tray or platter in just a few minutes. You will need a small potted ivy or mum, a few small gourds, several miniature pumpkins, a few red and green apples, some fresh or dried greenery such as moss, leaves or parsley, and the platter or tray in which you will place your arrangement.
Place the mum or ivy on one side of the platter and place the gourds and two pumpkins next to the plant. Arrange the rest of the pumpkins on the platter and place the apples randomly to give a splash of color. To complete the platter, place the greenery between the apples, gourds and pumpkins. Water the plant sparingly so the water will not overrun onto the other items on the platter.
Harvest Bowl with Flowers
Supplies:
A small glass tumbler
One very small pumpkin
Six or more small gourds
A few dried leaves (preferably in various colors)
One dozen or more cut fall flowers
One cup of fresh or dried cranberries
A shallow glass bowl
One large platter
After you have gathered your supplies, cut off the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the insides. Place the glass tumbler inside the pumpkin and fill the tumbler halfway with water. Arrange the flowers in the tumbler and place the pumpkin in the glass bowl. Place the bowl on a larger platter on the table. Arrange the leaves, gourds and cranberries in a random fashion on the plate, around the pumpkin. Add a few shells or small candles if you wish, placing them so they will not burn the greenery when lit.
Fruit and Flowers
It is quite easy to make a memorable centerpiece with very little time and money. Use your imagination and add lots of colors and textures to assemble a centerpiece that will create the perfect Thanksgiving atmosphere!
Fresh apples, grapes and strawberries grace this oversized martini glass adorned with tea roses, spider mums and flowering greens from the garden.
Written by Angela Tyler
Styled and Photographed by Terry Cylkowski
Printed November 2006
Tropical Turkey Centerpiece
1 fresh pineapple with pleasant color and form
1 sweet potato
1 red pepper
1 apple
2 raisins
Bamboo skewers and toothpicks
Fall flowers and leaves
Directions:
1. Select a fresh pineapple with a golden color, and leaves that curve to one side. Place the pineapple on an attractive platter with the leaves curving upward.
2. Peel the outer skin of the sweet potato and carve to desired form for the head of the turkey. Secure the sweet potato head to the base of the pineapple with a skewer.
3. Carve a section of the red pepper to form the wattle and secure to the potato with toothpicks.
4. Using a quarter of an apple, peel and shape to form the beak. Attach to potato with a toothpick.
5. Use raisins for the eyes and secure to the potato with toothpicks.
6. Surround the “turkey” with flowers and tropical foliage.
Styled and Photographed by Terry Cylkowski
Printed November 2006
