While centerpieces or table decorations play second fiddle to the
turkey when the family is gathered around the Thanksgiving table, there
are countless ways to spice up the scenery.
When thinking of traditional Thanksgiving décor, the cornucopia comes to mind; typically a hollow, horn shaped basket filled with fruits, vegetables, grains or flowers. The cornucopia symbolizes abundance and is sometimes called "the horn of plenty." Its origin dates back to the Greek and Roman ages.
To make a cornucopia, the cone-shaped basket can typically be found at arts and crafts stores. With colorful leaves in plentiful supply just outside the front door, a few brightly colored maple leaves could serve as a place setting for the basket. Inside the basket, the fruits, vegetables and flowers will need a filler to rest on such as straw or palm-like raffia. The fruits and vegetables can be of personal choosing, but those with a "waxy" surface such as apples, pomegranates, gourds, small pumpkins and Indian corn hold out the best. Arrange the fruits and vegetables so they appear to be falling out of the basket and fill the spaces with autumn flowers such as mums.
At Schrade's Posie Peddler, owner Gretchen Squires said she tries to shy away from the traditional centerpieces and change trends from year to year.
"People don't want to look at the same centerpiece year after year. Its fun to add different elements to a centerpiece; maybe a textural contrast or add things such as berries or kale," she said.
She added that she tries to make arrangements with colors and pieces that can last past Thanksgiving, maybe into early December. Adding non-traditional colors such as purples, burgundies and greens can add life to a traditionally-colored centerpiece.
"We always have pre-cut flowers for those who want to make their own arrangements, but we can always assemble them as well," she added.
Fruits are a popular item in centerpieces such as apples and Fall pears. These fruits can come in a variety of colors from green to gold to russet red. Adding a few of these in a multitude of sizes in a bowl along with some leaves and walnuts can create the vision of Thanksgiving.
An easy and versatile centerpiece is a wreath centerpiece. Start with a Fall wreath made of sticks or pinecones. Add one medium sized pumpkin in the middle and arrange several small pumpkins or gourds around the medium pumpkin and embellish with mini Indian corn, pine cones, kale or moss. Finish off by filing the holes with brightly colored silk leaves.
Depending on the size of the Thanksgiving dinner table and the amount of space dedicated to centerpieces, there could be one or several. The Posie Peddler can provide all of the needs for Thanksgiving centerpieces from one large piece for about $50 or several small pieces or vases ranging from $20 to $30.
"We have a huge clientele who make their own though," Squires said. "I'm always interested to see what they are choosing."
Making a centerpiece could be a fun pre-Thanksgiving-madness craft to do in the downtime or as an activity with the kids. The supplies can be found around the home, at florists, grocery stores or at local arts supply stores. Both real or artificial items can be used, such as live flowers versus silk and fake fruits and vegetables can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
"There's really a lot people can do without using just the traditional oranges, yellows and reds," Squires said.
To make a cornucopia, the cone-shaped basket can typically be found at arts and crafts stores. With colorful leaves in plentiful supply just outside the front door, a few brightly colored maple leaves could serve as a place setting for the basket. Inside the basket, the fruits, vegetables and flowers will need a filler to rest on such as straw or palm-like raffia. The fruits and vegetables can be of personal choosing, but those with a "waxy" surface such as apples, pomegranates, gourds, small pumpkins and Indian corn hold out the best. Arrange the fruits and vegetables so they appear to be falling out of the basket and fill the spaces with autumn flowers such as mums.
At Schrade's Posie Peddler, owner Gretchen Squires said she tries to shy away from the traditional centerpieces and change trends from year to year.
"People don't want to look at the same centerpiece year after year. Its fun to add different elements to a centerpiece; maybe a textural contrast or add things such as berries or kale," she said.
She added that she tries to make arrangements with colors and pieces that can last past Thanksgiving, maybe into early December. Adding non-traditional colors such as purples, burgundies and greens can add life to a traditionally-colored centerpiece.
"We always have pre-cut flowers for those who want to make their own arrangements, but we can always assemble them as well," she added.
Fruits are a popular item in centerpieces such as apples and Fall pears. These fruits can come in a variety of colors from green to gold to russet red. Adding a few of these in a multitude of sizes in a bowl along with some leaves and walnuts can create the vision of Thanksgiving.
An easy and versatile centerpiece is a wreath centerpiece. Start with a Fall wreath made of sticks or pinecones. Add one medium sized pumpkin in the middle and arrange several small pumpkins or gourds around the medium pumpkin and embellish with mini Indian corn, pine cones, kale or moss. Finish off by filing the holes with brightly colored silk leaves.
Depending on the size of the Thanksgiving dinner table and the amount of space dedicated to centerpieces, there could be one or several. The Posie Peddler can provide all of the needs for Thanksgiving centerpieces from one large piece for about $50 or several small pieces or vases ranging from $20 to $30.
"We have a huge clientele who make their own though," Squires said. "I'm always interested to see what they are choosing."
Making a centerpiece could be a fun pre-Thanksgiving-madness craft to do in the downtime or as an activity with the kids. The supplies can be found around the home, at florists, grocery stores or at local arts supply stores. Both real or artificial items can be used, such as live flowers versus silk and fake fruits and vegetables can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
"There's really a lot people can do without using just the traditional oranges, yellows and reds," Squires said.
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