Setting the table a day or two ahead of the big day always puts me in the spirit of any holiday party. Creating a homemade centerpiece adds to the warm and homey feeling of Thanksgiving. When you are choosing your items for your centerpiece look beyond the floral department. For this DIY Thanksgiving harvest centerpiece I headed over to the produce section… really… with all the colors and shapes and sizes of fruits and veggies, there’s no limit to your creativity!
There are some supplies you will need from your local craft store to make this centerpiece. First, you will need a leak-proof container preferably one that is low and rectangular. If you have a basket in that shape make sure you use a liner to prevent water running through the wicker. A food storage container that fits your basket works nicely. You will need Oasis or wet floral foam and wired floral picks (kabob skewers work well too) to attach to your veggies and fruit.
Soak 1 and ½ bricks of Oasis foam in water until fully saturated and snugly fit them into a container. If your foam doesn’t fit tightly, you can secure it with floral tape.
Use your floral picks to push through the bottom of your larger veggies, peppers, artichokes, apples etc. set aside.
The first step to any centerpiece is “greening up” which gives your piece a background and a shape. I chose broccoli rabe for my greens and by giving the ends a new cut on an angle, it makes it easier to insert into the foam. You don’t want to make the shape too high because no one will be able to see over the top at your table.
Once you have finished putting in the greens, add the larger fruits and vegetables. spreading them out evenly. Add your flowers in between and smaller fruits and flowers at the end. If you see spaces, you can add more greens to fill in the holes.
Now you have a Thanksgiving Centerpiece that you can enjoy and with a good wash, the veggies and fruit won’t go to waste! My sister (tongue in cheek) suggested we put it in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.. yeah, don’t do it!
Susan Garrett
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