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| Dramatic Thanksgiving Centerpieces on a Budget | November 7, 2009, 1:49 am | visits: 0 | wordcount: 652
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By Karen Sullen
With the holidays just around the corner, everyone wants to bring a little something special to the table—especially when it comes to Thanksgiving centerpieces. Adding something a bit daring to the décor will put even the most reluctant party-goer in a good mood. Capturing their attention as they enter the room, these unique centerpieces don't forget that you're on a budget. Most of them just add a little ingenuity to some things you probably already have to create a stunning display.
Suspended Wreath
Chances are you probably already have one too many wreaths around your house and are wondering whether you need to toss them in favor of something different for this year's gathering. Don't toss them--hang ‘em from the ceiling! Suspended by glorious ribbons, a Thanksgiving wreath in fall colors has a whole new flair. Hovering about 6" above the table, guests won't believe their eyes, and all you did was attach 5-7 ribbons equally spaced around the outside edge of the wreath and extend them to a center point in the ceiling or the base of a chandelier for an unforgettable effect.
Pumpkin Mum
Mums the word when it comes to how easy it is to make this eye-catching design. Created with a sphere made of floral foam and a few dozen orange mums, you can create a pumpkin patch right in the center of your table. Simply wet the sphere to provide moisture to the blooms and cut the stems to about 3". Insert them into the foam until the entire sphere is covered using varying heights to resemble the shape of a pumpkin. Add a green vine to the top for a fresh-picked appearance, and you've got a creative floral centerpiece.
Pedestal Power
You'll be amazed at what a simple pedestal can do. Whether it's a cake stand, vase or risers, elevating your table centerpieces give them an elegance they simply can't get sitting on the table. If possible, use the high-low method when decorating with the focal arrangement at the highest point surrounded by smaller items on the table.
Gobble, Gobble!
Just so you don't think that you can only have a dramatic centerpiece for adults, here's a great Thanksgiving centerpiece for the children's table—a turkey with edible feathers! If you're feeling crafty, you can put this together in no time. All you'll need is:
Styrofoam: 1 six-inch ball (body); 1 small egg shape (head); 2-inch piece of tube (neck)
Medium-size foam paint-brush
1 tube of Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint - Dark Brown
Freehand drawn eyes, beak and wattle
Elmer's glue
15-20 candy sticks
1 package refrigerated dough
Wooden toothpicks
Carefully cut off the bottom portion of the large ball so it sits flat. Paint each turkey part and allow to dry. Attach the head to the neck with toothpicks, and then the neck to body. Set aside, and prepare feather cookies by rolling out dough and using a small paring knife to create feather or spear shapes. Press candy stick into the cookie and bake according to package instructions. After cooling, coat the front side of cookie with colored royal icing, and drag a toothpick of darker color through the icing to create the feather motif.
To make royal icing, you'll need:
3 tablespoons meringue powder
4 cups confectioners sugar
6 tablespoons warm water
With a mixer, beat all ingredients at low speed until icing forms peaks, 7- 10 minutes. Divide into small sections and add different food coloring to each one.
While cookies are drying, glue the eyes, beak and wattle to the head of the turkey. Finish the design by inserting cookie feathers into the Styrofoam throughout the backside of the bird. Use a plain candy stick to make an initial hole into the Styrofoam. When your guests see it, children (and adults) can't wait to gobble them up!
No matter whether you're planning an intimate gathering of close family and friends or hosting what seems like a reunion of all your extended relatives, choosing the right centerpiece and coordinating décor can make everyone feel at home.
Karen Sullen is a writer for Centerpiece Studio where you can shop for table centerpieces for holiday celebrations, weddings and general home decor.
Source:www.isnare.com | |
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