Thanksgiving Centerpieces in 15 minutes

Good Housekeeping's November issue has a few centerpieces for Thanksgiving...unusual, unique, and right up my alley. Plus they take no time at all - the article says 15 minutes or less. Here's the 3 I found I like the most...

Line 'Em Up
Seasonal simplicity doesn't get any speedier than this streamlined display: Just parade small white pumpkins along a wooden platter, and — to play up the gourds' paleness — add a runner or fabric remnant in autumnal orange. In five minutes, you're done.

Branch Out
The patina of tarnished pewter contrasts with fall foliage in this rustic-meets-refined grouping. Tuck acorns, viburnum, and crab apple cuttings (find at a florist or gather from the yard) in a trio of staggered-size containers, corralling on a tray. Total time: eight minutes.

Ripe for the Picking
Elegant turns easy when you think outside the vase. In this fresh update of the classic cornucopia, clear glass vases overflow with apples, pears, tangerines, and both ripe and green pomegranates. Accent with ribbon curling in and around the fruit — to run out the time to 13 minutes — and invite guests to grab some produce post-dinner

Simply Adorable Thanksgiving Crafts

The November 2009 issue of Parents magazine featured some super-cute table decorations. The Parents website has the full article here, but here's a sampling of my favorites.


A Stylish Centerpiece


What You'll Need
16" to 18" sticks
Acrylic paint
Paper grocery bags
White paper
Glue
Colored pencils
Tall drinking glasses
Beans
Lentils or split peas

Make It
1. Paint sticks different colors and let dry.
2. Cut 5" circles from grocery bags and cut 3-1/2" circles from white paper. Mount white circles on top of brown ones with glue and let dry. Write letters on each of the white circles to write a Thanksgiving sentiment (we spelled out "Give Thanks").
3. Glue each circle to a painted stick and anchor in a glass full of beans, lentils, or split peas. Display down the center of your dining table or along a buffet.

Branching Out Muslin Placemats: These hand-stamped muslin placemats can be used year after year.



Ring Around the Napkin
Pop off the nut portion of an acorn and glue a pom-pom in its place. Trim to create a conical shape, then tie string to the stem.

Cool Turkey Place Card Craft

This was featured in the November 2007 issue of Parents magazine. It's so darn cute!

"It's a Bird! It's a Turkey! It's a napkin? Yup. Here's a super-simple way to dress up your holiday dinner table, from event designer David Stark. Just pick up a colorful gourd at the store, trim the stem into a "beak", and use cloves to make the eyes. Go to parentsmag.com for easy to follow directions on how to make the fan fold. From the book Napkins with a Twist, $20."