For me, decorating the table is the best part of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner celebration. I love arranging the dishes, the sparkling glasses, the starched napkins — and, of course, making the centerpieces.
Centerpieces are a great way to set the mood, a way to tell your guests right as they walk into your house that they’re in for a festive time. But depending on how you’re planning to serve your Thanksgiving meal, you will have to make the centerpiece work for you. If you’re planning a buffet, then most of the serving platters will be on a separate table, and your centerpiece can stay put on the main table, to continue to delight your guests. But if you’re planning to serve your dishes at the table, you’ll likely need the extra space, in which case you can remove the centerpiece before you bring out the dinner and place it elsewhere, such as on a coffee table or mantel.
I’ve run the gamut on centerpieces, from simple bud vases to elaborate creations that can take over an entire room. Last Thanksgiving, I spray-painted 600 pingpong balls shiny gold, suspended each one over the dining table with thread, and then lined the table with branches decorated with twinkling lights. This year, I’m making our life a lot easier with this simple floral turkey centerpiece. It’s easy to make, yet so adorable you’ll be gobbling up the compliments.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Floral foam
- Knife
- Mums
- Wheat stalks
- Bird of paradise flower
- Real or artificial fall leaves
 Purchase a brick of floral foam at a crafts store such as Michaels or Joann. Floral foam comes in one standard size of approximately 9 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches. Be sure to get floral foam formulated for fresh flowers rather than the kind for artificial flowers. Using a knife, cut off about a quarter of the length of the brick and discard it. </p>
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