A fall table centerpiece, created from materials picked from the late garden or surrounding countryside, adds a welcome display of color as days become shorter and the weather turns colder.
Gathering leaves, nuts, berries & fall flowers and arranging them as decorations for the table is a reminder that the season offers a tapestry of bright hues.
An afternoon should be set aside to gather materials. A large bag or handled basket can be used to collect items for autumn decor.
What Materials Can Be Collected for Autumn Table Decorations?
- Brightly colored leaves
- Berries and rose hips
- Nuts/acorns
- Small pine cones
- Trailing vines – Virginia creeper is a good choice because it turns a lovely red color in fall.
- Late fall flowers such as mums or asters, Helianthus (perennial sunflower) or Sedum, black-eyed Susan's or Russian sage add additional color, if a floral arrangement is desired.
- Small ornamental gourds make excellent additions to autumn centerpieces because they come in such an interesting array of colors and exotic shapes. Shenot Crown of Thorns, Hedgehog, or pear bi-color gourds are good choices.
- Smaller pumpkin varieties such as Jack be Little or Munchkin pumpkins also can be added for visual appeal.
Additional Materials for Fall Table Centerpieces
- A large oblong platter
- Scissors
- Brightly colored napkins in fall colors
Making an Autumn Colors Table Decoration
- Trim any brown patches or ragged edges from leaves.
- Arrange leaves on the platter, covering completely, so the leaves will make a bright background for the other materials. Leaves should extend past the platter edge.
- Fall flower arrangements can be particularly striking. If flowers are to be included, arrange these in the center or around the edge of the platter.
- Fill in spaces between flowers with nuts, acorns, pine cones, small gourds, smaller squashes or pumpkins.
- Trail vines around the edge.
- Insert bright berry clusters to finish off the fall centerpiece.
- Arrange brightly colored napkins in the middle of the table and place the platter on these so napkins frame the autumn centerpiece.
Autumn table decorations are sure to draw comments and can help to set the mood for entertaining. A fall table centerpiece dresses up the table, while showcasing the best offerings of the season.
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Melody Rhodes - M. Rhodes is author of the Bedbug Books. She's been published in Canada, U.S. U.K. & NZ and has won awards for her poetry/prose.
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