Thanksgiving is all about celebrating the bounty of the harvest. What better to show your appreciation than to highlight the earth’s bounty with candles and seeds, nuts and pods? Try these simple arrangements for your Thanksgiving celebration to make the bounty of the harvest the center of attention.
Multicolored Leaves. Decoupage real or silk leaves to the outside of pillar candles in sage green, orange or tan, and tie them up with a contrasting raffia bow. These simple candles celebrate the beauty of nature as your family gives thanks to the bounty you share. Nuts, nuts and more nuts. Place several tapers in long narrow serving dish. Pile assorted nuts around the base of the candles and place in the center of the table. Used shelled nuts for small displays or mound nuts in the shell around pillar candles for a dramatic effect. Add colored leaves, if preferred. Indian corn. Take advantage of brightly-colored Indian corn by filling a glass cylinder 1/3 to ½ full of corn kernels. Insert a candle firmly in the kernels. Create several in varying heights and group together a glowing centerpiece. Gourds, pumpkins and squash. Hollow out the end of gourds, pumpkins and squash to make candleholders. Sand the bottom so they stand erect and group them in the center of the table. Add acorns, nuts and twigs among the gourds. Choose gourds and pumpkins with a brightly colored coat to highlight harvest candles in cream, brown or sage. Votives in seeds. Layer colored seeds of peas, beans and lentils in glass jars, vases or goblets. Insert votive candles and fill to within an inch of the top with beans. Tie up with a bow of natural ribbon and group the jars together to create a centerpiece. Basket of Candles. Choose a wicker or rattan divided basket to hold a selection of pillar candles in shades of brown, orange and cream. Place a candle in each section – preferable with varying heights. Fill in around the candles with natural objects such as silk or natural leaves, nuts, berries or miniature gourds. Light the candles at dinnertime to create a natural glow for the meal.
When it comes to creating Thanksgiving decorations, there are no hard and fast rules. Dried or fresh fruit, an assortment of colored apples or natural seeds and pods all work well with candles. Think outside the box and use old containers in usual ways to create and eye-catching display to celebrate the harvest.
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