Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece

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I am still tweeking the table scape elements, but I have completed a centerpiece I am pretty excited about.  The hardest thing about making this floral arrangment was finding a store that still had good sized pumpkins on hand!

I bought two bunches of mixed chrysanthemums and a block of green florist's foam.  I used a bowl to trace a circle around the top of the pumpkin, cut out the top and scooped out the seeds.  I placed a well moistened piece of florist's foam in a shallow bowl and put it inside the pumpkin. 

You will need to cut your flower stems pretty short for this, and looking at it, I think I could have gone even shorter.   I started with the taller things in the center of the arrangement and worked my way outward.  It is best if the outer row of flowers kind of hangs down over the edge of the pumpkin, hiding the other stems and the cut opening.  Add greenery to further bring the floral elements down the sides of the pumpkin. When done, add more water to the dish and be sure to keep it well moistened.

I got out to a shopping mall on the weekend, with the mission in mind to find a new Thanksgiving tablescape.  I went to Williams Sonoma, where I found two white porcelain pheasants, for $49 each.  I loved how they would have looked with simple greenery, and chunky candlesticks with white pillar candles.  Couldn't bring myself to spend $100.

Went to Pottery Barn, where I found three amazing tall pillar candlesticks of varying heights.  $79, $49, and $39.  Loved that look and still am thinking about it for a mantle display.  It could transition from fall to Christmas easily.  Bottom line:  could not bring myself to spend $167.

So, I came home, started browsing Pinterest for ideas, and found this one for making a floral arrangemenet in a hollowed out pumpkin.  Flowers:  $11.98.  Florist's foam:  $3.17.  Pumpkin:  $4.67.

32 responses to “Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece”

  1. LOL! Sounds just like all of my decorating excursions! I can never bring myself to spend big money on that kind of thing, especially when a little creativity will provide something much prettier and completely unique. Nice job, Nicole!

  2. LOL! Sounds just like all of my decorating excursions! I can never bring myself to spend big money on that kind of thing, especially when a little creativity will provide something much prettier and completely unique. Nice job, Nicole!

  5. Brilliant!!! Well done and for a satisfying fraction of those other costs!!
    Doesn’t it make you wonder who would spend that much on seasonal decor? I hope shops get the message that what doesn’t sell well might just be priced too high. How much time and clay or wax went into those pheasants and candles to make them worth their marked prices? DH has always said prices will be as high as the market will bear. No sales? Lower prices … eventually.
    Do smile in delight each time you glance at your lovely centerpiece!
    Hugs!

  6. Brilliant!!! Well done and for a satisfying fraction of those other costs!!
    Doesn’t it make you wonder who would spend that much on seasonal decor? I hope shops get the message that what doesn’t sell well might just be priced too high. How much time and clay or wax went into those pheasants and candles to make them worth their marked prices? DH has always said prices will be as high as the market will bear. No sales? Lower prices … eventually.
    Do smile in delight each time you glance at your lovely centerpiece!
    Hugs!

  11. You share so many creative thoughts with us on your blog. Your table will look wonderful without the 100-bucks decorating. It’s the smiles around it that you will remember. Happy Thanksgiving to your growing family.

  12. You share so many creative thoughts with us on your blog. Your table will look wonderful without the 100-bucks decorating. It’s the smiles around it that you will remember. Happy Thanksgiving to your growing family.

  13. Love how you think Nicole! And your centrepiece is beautiful! Remember to eats lots of turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy and enjoy!!

  14. Love how you think Nicole! And your centrepiece is beautiful! Remember to eats lots of turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy and enjoy!!

  15. It’s really amazing what you can create when you put your mind to it. Your centrepiece is fabulous, Who needs Pottery Barn, or Williams Sonoma.

  16. It’s really amazing what you can create when you put your mind to it. Your centrepiece is fabulous, Who needs Pottery Barn, or Williams Sonoma.

  17. I love your centrepiece. It’s perfect. And when you’re done with it — nothing to put into storage. Perfect!
    So sorry about the wax on your beautiful table topper. I hope that a final ironing session and some Lestoil work. But if not, I think your idea of tea dying makes sense.
    I had something similar happen to me. Was getting waxed, and the woman dripped pink wax on my beautiful Irish linen shirt. The wax came out with ironing, but the pink, not so much. Disappointing, for sure.
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful, friend-and-family-full Thanksgiving.

  18. I love your centrepiece. It’s perfect. And when you’re done with it — nothing to put into storage. Perfect!
    So sorry about the wax on your beautiful table topper. I hope that a final ironing session and some Lestoil work. But if not, I think your idea of tea dying makes sense.
    I had something similar happen to me. Was getting waxed, and the woman dripped pink wax on my beautiful Irish linen shirt. The wax came out with ironing, but the pink, not so much. Disappointing, for sure.
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful, friend-and-family-full Thanksgiving.

  19. What a beautiful centerpiece! Isn’t it satisfying to create such a lovely decoration for a reasonable amount of money?! This year I’m all about mini pumpkins on a green cake stand that I already own! Add a table runner in Fall colors & it’s good to go! Happy Thanksgiving to your & your’s!

  20. What a beautiful centerpiece! Isn’t it satisfying to create such a lovely decoration for a reasonable amount of money?! This year I’m all about mini pumpkins on a green cake stand that I already own! Add a table runner in Fall colors & it’s good to go! Happy Thanksgiving to your & your’s!

  21. Love your centerpiece! Price is even better, plus you don’t have to worry about storing it 🙂

  22. Love your centerpiece! Price is even better, plus you don’t have to worry about storing it 🙂

  27. Lovely decor and hand made to boot
    Wishing you a very enjoyable Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones.

  28. Lovely decor and hand made to boot
    Wishing you a very enjoyable Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones.