Archive

Posts Tagged ‘decorating’

Warm Colors From Nature Create The Perfect Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece

November 22nd, 2009 No comments

At the center of every Thanksgiving table there should be a colorful and festive arrangement. Using Autumn leaves, greenery, pumpkins, gourds, and fall flowers you can create a centerpiece with very little effort and at very little expense.

FLORAL PLATTER CENTERPIECE

Creating a simple arrangement on a platter or tray is easy with the right materials. You will want a small potted plant or herbs, some flowering plants such as miniature mums, some tiny pumpkins and an assortment of gourds, some oranges and apples, some pine cones, and greenery if you choose, such as evergreen branches. Be sure to choose a pretty tray or platter if you don’t plan to cover the entire bottom with the materials you’ve gathered.

Now group your living plants on one side, surrounding them with your smaller elements, such as the fruit and miniature pumpkins. Develop a couple different levels of height to provide visual interest. Be sure to set a dish under your potted plants to catch the drips as you water them. You’ll probably step back and reassess the arrangement several times before you’re satisfied with the results.

PUMPKIN FLOWER CENTERPIECE

To create a Thanksgiving centerpiece that encompasses all the familiar fall elements, you want to start with a tiny pumpkin. Cut the top off and scoop out the insides. You’ll also need about seven or eight small assorted gourds, some colorful fall leaves, a dozen mums or other fall-like flower, a cup of fresh cranberries, a glass bowl that is shallow, a small tumbler that will fit inside the pumpkin, and a round plate or platter.

After you have gathered your supplies, place the tumbler inside the pumpkin and fill it halfway with water. Arrange the flowers in the tumbler and set the pumpkin in the glass bowl. Be sure the bowl isn’t too big so you can see the pumpkin.

Put the pumpkin and flower arrangement that is now in a small bowl on the plate. Put the entire arrangement on your table and begin to place all the other elements around on the plate, forming a circular wreath look. You can add a few small candles if you wish. Step back and examine your handy-work and rearrange if desired.

CRANBERRY FLORAL CENTERPIECE

Choose a clear glass vase that you like. Cut white carnations to fit your vase, remove all the leaves, and arrange in the vase. Gently push the flowers to the side a bit and pour in enough cranberries to come up at least 3/4 the way up the vase. Now fill your vase with cold water. Readjust the flowers and voila! … you have a beautiful and inexpensive centerpiece.

Centerpieces that are imaginative, fresh, and creative are not difficult to make if you use these simple principles. Use lots of natural materials in warm, rich colors, and don’t be afraid to experiment with textures. Your Thanksgiving table will welcome your guests in grand style!

Finding easy Thanksgiving meal ideas and recipes is a cinch when you visit FreeQuickRecipes.com. Your Thanksgiving table will be a feast for the eye and the taste buds!

Fun And Exciting Tips For Outdoor Xmas Decorations

November 22nd, 2009 No comments

Christmas has a sound-it’s in the carols, friendly greetings and overall undercurrent of joyfulness. Simply put, it’s a magical time of the year. Glitter, sparkle and all things fabulous takes precedence during this season; you are not looking to waste this opportunity now would you? You probably have planned every last mistletoe and glitter in your home; but have you mapped out your front yard yet? It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get into the business of fun with awesome outdoor Xmas decorations.

Let’s get down to it then. Are you ready to be challenged? Are you willing to go beyond your limits for the best yuletide home yet? Are you up for it? Then invite your little children to take part of this special project. Now don’t go backpedalling on me now, you will be surprised at their creativity and eagerness to help make a beautiful home with you. It is well worth the little stubbornness and impracticality that makes children such adorable and exasperating creatures.

Think of a cohesive theme to tie all of your outdoor Xmas decorations on. You can go for the always classic and moving Nativity scene in a softly lit backdrop of your lawn. Cut out and set up beautifully done pictures of the Holy Family, shepherds, wise men and angels for all to see. You will be instrumental is giving the passersby an opportunity to stop and think about the true meaning of Christmas.

How about a Santa Claus theme? Maybe have him and his pack of faithful reindeers land on your roof with a sled full of colorfully wrapped gifts. Or you can make the front part of your house to look like the busy North Pole, complete with hardworking little elves. Integrate christmas tree themes into it by setting up an icicle tipped Christmas tree decked in blue, silver and white christmas balls.

If you have a neighborhood with relatively well-behaved kids (people have mocked me for this oxymoron but I continue to believe), design one or more outdoor trees with edible accessories hanging about it. Garlands of popcorn and cranberry, candy canes, colorfully wrapped treats-drape them attractively around the tree. Only keep in mind to space your lighting well-burnt food on charred needle pines do not make a festive look.

Actually, you don’t even have to stick with the traditional holiday themes. Think out of the box and create something totally unexpected and unique. Go space age with a silver spray painted tree with metallic and robotic accessories. Are you known for your gastronomic skills? Cover outdoor trees with vegetables and fruits of a variety of colors. How about your love for cartoons and animation? Cut out large cardboard pictures of your favorite character and dress them in a Christmassy fashion all over the lawn.

The stressful year is coming to a close; so close the door with a bang! Let this Christmas infuse you with childlike delight in simple joys like beautiful outdoor Xmas decorations. It might be just what you need to start the next year with renewed vigor and excitement. Have a fun and playful Christmas!

Nobody loves christmas tree themes like Giselle Taylor, an expert in the business of enjoying the holidays. Get excellent ideas on Outdoor Xmas Decorations when you click on this site today.

categories: outdoor xmas decorations,outdoor xmas decoration,christmas tree themes,christmas tree theme,xmas decorations,xmas decoration,christmas tree,christmas trees,outdoor xmas tree theme,outdoor xmas tree themes,outdoor decorations,home,holidays,decorating

5 Ideas To Make Your Thanksgiving Table Special

November 21st, 2009 No comments

We think of Thanksgiving as a special holiday in which to give thanks for the people who fill our lives with joy. Make this year even more special by honoring your guests around the dinner table with very special decorations.

These are 5 simple ideas for honoring your Thanksgiving guests around the dining room table with some very beautiful decorations.

1) Linens: The table cloth, runners, and place mats should be number one on your list of decorations. You should use fall colors, layering as many of those colors as possible. Emboss the linens if you like with leaves, fruit, and nut shapes if you are able. The more linen you can use, the more festive your table will feel.

2) Candles: Group pillar candles together using similar fall colors. Place the candles on top of silk fall leaves and surround them with nuts, small gourds, and pine cones. This is an inexpensive but very effective way to create a fall centerpiece.

3) Fruits & Vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables placed in groups in decorative bowls is always a nice look on a side board or buffet. Choose colorful fruits and vegetables that will last for a few days, like apples and artichokes. If you’d like your display to last a few weeks or months, you may want to invest in artificial food items.

4) Place Cards: Place cards are an intimate way to show your guests that you are thankful for them. Include a special message in a card at each place setting to share your feelings in private with each guest. Your thoughtfulness will not be forgotten.

5) Garlands & Swags: Make garlands or swags of leaves, fruits, pine cones, berries, and fall colored ribbons to hang from your dining area doorways. You can also purchase bundles of wheat and tie wide, wire-edged ribbon around the center to decorate your dining room. Don’t forget your lighting over your dining room table. A few bundles of fall colored leaves will give a soft light and homey feeling to the atmosphere.

If you can create a Christmas Wonderland you can create a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving festival as well! Using the warm colors and textures of a fall day, think of all the places you would decorate for Christmas and turn those same places into an Autumn wonderland! Your Thanksgiving table will be a feast for all the senses!

If you’re looking for free Thanksgiving recipes, look no further. Just visit us at FreeQuickRecipes.com to find a cornucopia of recipes and decorating ideas to make your holidays special