Thanksgiving Day centerpieces can sometimes be a source of worry when planning holiday gatherings.   What we choose to put in the middle of our turkey tables enhances the festivities for guests because, for one thing, the color extenuates the other aspects of the meal including linens, candlelight and most importantly the food.  Flowers are also wonderful for contributing to the fantastic sense of smell that we all know is essential for a successful Thanksgiving meal.  Many people become overwhelmed with the tasks necessary to host a victorious dinner, often feeling anxious as to how they will get everything done and select their floral arrangements for the special day.   The tasks of heavy cleaning and exorbitant cooking almost always take the front seat on hosting agendas and many ask, “Who has the time for flowers?”  The issue of cost can also be another negative and many times leads to omitting them altogether.  Well, you don’t have to.  Hear a few easy and inexpensive ways to decorate your table without fret. 

The trees in Boston are too beautiful not to utilize within your holiday décor.  Reds, yellows and greens are hanging everywhere holding a natural beauty, which makes New England famous for their autumn season.  From lovely bushes to towering maples, there are stunning possibilities all around us so keep your eyes open and your clippers close.  Effective eye popping arrangements can be as simple as a few maple branches placed strategically in a glass oval vase.  This look not only compliments the seasonal aspects traditional to this time of year but also gives your table an interesting architectural dimension of height.  Remember, less is more with this design so be careful not to overcrowd your floral vessels!

Some become fixated with the idea that bigger is always better, particularly when talking about holiday events.  Trust me, its not.  Stunning table arrangements can be as simple as a few cuttings of multi colored coleus from your garden or miniature pumpkins placed at each setting for your guests.  Other arrangements can be a straight line of baby green gourds positioned straight down the table creating a sophisticated and uncluttered appeal.  Black millet is another idea, which makes a dramatic impact on your table while still carrying the November scheme of design.  If these choices don’t seem to strike your fancy, it’s as easy as looking around you and seeing what does excite your green thumb.  Visit local farm stands or take a peek in your own backyard.  You’ll be surprised as to what New England’s natural beauty may provide you with for this Thanksgiving’s holiday centerpiece!

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

all photos in this post can be attributed to Flower Factor and About Flowers.

 Suzie Canale is a writer, chef, gardener, philanthropist and mom who lives in Westwood, MA.

                                                     photo credit: hookedonhouses.net

Holiday décor is a major piece of the puzzle when planning your Thanksgiving Day celebration.  From the cornucopias to the seasonal floral centerpieces, it’s crucial for Boston’s party planners to keep this in mind when hosting family and friends this November.  While we all know that the turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies are the main attraction, specialists agree that adding a touch of autumn flair turns a nice Thanksgiving meal into an unforgettable event.  Some shy away from installing decorations because they believe that the added cost will break their budgets but I assure you there are several ways to insert beautiful festive pieces without excessive spending. 

                                                      photo credit: families.com

Wreaths remain a popular decoration during the holiday months, and for very good reasons.  Stylish yet simple, wreaths are easily displayed and are produced using many different materials, which is perfect for anyone with a love for flowers, shells, grape vine, leaves, berries and more.  Wonderful because many options can be found right in your own backyard, the list is limitless, allowing you to reflect exactly your taste and personality within your design.  Although some believe that wreathes are confined only to the Christmas season, I assure that this is not true.  Thanksgiving wreaths hold their own particular appeal, offering warmth of rich color and texture.  Here are a few ideas that will dazzle your holiday front door. 

                                                  photo credit: Martha Stewart

Berries are a crafters “treat” from nature because they are versatile between seasons and have stems that are flexible in dexterity.  Easy bending and weaving is important when selecting your featured material since rigid root systems can keep you from forming the desired circular or square shape.  Berries are also wonderful because they come in a variety of shades including red, yellow, orange, pink, green, blue, purple, black and sometimes even peach.  Excellent varieties for this project include bittersweet, rosehip and bayberries.  There is one thing to keep in mind, be careful not to cut anything that is highly toxic if you are planning to hang the piece indoors.  Pets and small children are at risk for swallowing poisonous fallen berries so always know what you are working with.

Fall leaves also make another splash for Thanksgiving décor because New England has the most stunning foliage during the autumn months.  Don’t be afraid to cut branches from a maple tree bursting with color because although the wreath may not last for years to come, it will certainly live for a few weeks leading up to the holiday.  If you would like to construct this by yourself, find a thin but strong wire and wind it tightly around the sections of the two branches without leaves.  Carefully add more shoots being mindful of keeping the desired structure intact throughout.  Once the wreath is completed, if you find spots with too few leaves, you can layer smaller branches on top to minimize thinning areas.

Grapevine is one of my favorite types of fall wreath material because it barely ages and it is so easily made by intertwining vines within one another.  This variety also has beautiful natural curls at the tips, which make a gorgeous yet unfettered and organic presentation.  Luckily, grape vine is native to Boston’s habitat, usually growing in abundance within ground packed with heavy mulch.  Concord, Mass. is home to many grape vineyards, a perfect place to visit if you are interested in this style of Thanksgiving wreathing where many of the local farming and hand made goods stores carry a wide diversity of products using this native plant.  New Englanders sure are lucky to have so many magnificent prospects of materials gifted from our natural environment to inspire our holiday decorating creations!

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

 Suzie Canale has published four children's books and works at the Westwood Public Library in Westwood, Mass.