Thanksgiving: Setting an Unforgettable Table

You’re hosting Thanksgiving.  That means you are cleaning house, grocery shopping and cooking all the food, so you don’t have a lot of time to waste on figuring out the centerpiece. No problem. With just a few quick accents from your yard, the greenhouse and what you already have lying around your house, you can make a big impact.

While out on your errands, stop by the greenhouse to pick up a few mini-pumpkins, some interesting gourds, Indian corn and a bundle of bittersweet, red twig dogwood or curly willow.  These few things, along with a few colorful leaves and acorns that fall from the tree in your yard, are all you’ll need.

First, take the mini pumpkins and use a paint marker to put the names of the guests on them.  Use these as festive place cards at the table.  Place the bittersweet either into one tall vase in the center of the table, or a few smaller vases that run along the table. Fill the bottom of these vases with some of the acorns, while scattering the rest with the leaves and gourds around the vase or vases. Lean the Indian corn up against the vases, and you’re done!

You can also use mini-pumpkins as candle holders by using an apple corer to scoop out the top center of the pumpkin and place a small votive in there. If you have medium to large gourds and pumpkins, cut off the top and scoop out the seeds, then either place tall pillar candles in these or use them as a vase for some fresh cut mums or bittersweet.

Remember, if you can’t find pumpkins that are different enough, don’t be afraid to paint a pumpkin black or a metallic color to add some variation.  You can also paint patterns and designs on them to mix it up a bit.

Another option is to use any glass lanterns, jars or bowls you have and stack the pumpkins, acorns, leaves or gourds inside of them for a different accent piece.  
Once the table is set and the guests arrive, enjoy your holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!