MIXED ELEMENTS PLATTER CENTERPIECE

Creating a simple arrangement on a platter or tray is easy with the right materials. You will want a small potted plant or herbs, some flowering plants such as miniature mums, some tiny pumpkins and an assortment of gourds, some oranges and apples, some pine cones, and greenery if you choose, such as evergreen branches. Be sure to choose a pretty tray or platter if you don’t plan to cover the entire bottom with the materials you’ve gathered.

Place the larger live plants one side of the platter and place a gourd and two small pumpkins next to the plant. Make sure you water the plant, but sparingly so as not to overrun or drown it. Arrange your Autumn elements around the plants in a pleasing manner, trying to develop more than one level of height at random spots.

PUMPKIN VASE CENTERPIECE

If you want to gather all your favorite fall elements together in one centerpiece, this is the craft for you. You’ll need a small pumpkin, top cut off (save the top), and insides cleaned out. Gather together a small tumbler that will fit inside the pumpkin, a shallow glass bowl that the pumpkin will sit in, and a plate to set the bowl on. Then gather together about a cup of fresh cranberries, about six or seven small gourds of different kinds, some fall leaves, and a bunch of fall flowers.

Put the tumbler inside the opening you cut in the pumpkin and fill the tumbler with water, about half way. Arrange your fall flowers in the tumbler in the pumpkin and place the pumpkin in the shallow glass bowl.

Place the bowl with the pumpkin and flowers on top of the plate or platter and place that on your Thanksgiving table or buffet. Now, randomly arrange the other materials around the pumpkin in the bowl, covering the plate. If you have room for candles on the plate include them now.

CRANBERRY AND FLOWERS CENTERPIECE

Fresh cranberries swimming in cold, crisp water certainly offers a fall feeling. Create a centerpiece using freshly cut carnations, cut so the flowers are just a bit taller than a clear glass vase you choose. Place the flowers in the vase and, while holding the flowers slightly away from the edge of the vase, drop the cranberries down into the vase. Fill the vase with cold water and rearrange your flowers. This is truly a beautiful and simple way to dress up a floral arrangement.

Creating memorable centerpieces doesn’t have to be difficult, or expensive. With natural elements and a little imagination, you can make your Thanksgiving table a showcase that is sure to be appreciated!

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