I always enjoy using pumpkins and gourds as a seasonal centerpiece for Thanksgiving. If there’s no room at the dining table with the Thanksgiving feast, it’s a pretty way to dress a sideboard, kitchen island, or foyer table.
Like everyone else, I’ve been busy harvesting recipes and table ideas with Thanksgiving a few weeks away.
To create a pumpkin vase centerpiece, I always start with wet floral foam, soaked in water for 30 minutes. You can skip the wet foam and insert a bowl or plastic container in your pumpkin to hold water and flowers instead, but the wet foam helps to anchor heavier elements~ apples, artichokes, mini pumpkins, that can be added with floral picks.
Cut your pumpkin and remove the insides and seeds. Next, I line the pumpkin with a few plastic bags to keep any additional water from the oasis away from the bottom of the pumpkin to keep it a little drier, helping it last longer. If you wedge your foam in tightly, you won’t need floral tape to hold the foam in place.
You can make your centerpiece a couple of days in advance, keeping it out of direct sunlight and cool, to slow down the evaporation process. Misting them with a spray water bottle occasionally will help keep your flowers looking fresh.
Here a few centerpieces using pumpkins as vases from the archives, click on the links if you’d like a peek.
Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving With a Touch of Blue
Thanksgiving Lakeside
A centerpiece with individual tiger stripe pumpkins for each place setting.
Harvesting, Reaping, & Sowing
Gathering Together for Thanksgiving
If you’re pressed for time you can gild your gourds and pumpkins with a little metallic craft paint and have them ready for the table in an hour!
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Such a pretty centerpiece! I love how you added artichokes , it makes it interesting.
So wonderful Mary. I especially love the mini arrangements. Your table and arrangements are just beautiful.
Never one to disappoint, each one of your creations is stunning! I also love the new table & chairs featured outside :)
I remember the little individual tiger pumpkin settings Mary-love them! Everything’s so pretty and festive, especially the warm colors in that throw in the first full setting:@)
Lovely centerpiece, my friend! I like the tiny ones at each place setting, too!
Mary, I’ve pinned several of these shots. I love the idea of the mini pumpkins w/ flowers at each setting as well as the wonderful layering of the placesetting.
Gorgeous! There is just nothing like the colors of fall for vivid beauty.
so gorgeous, the autumn lights and lush colors soothe my ragged soul~
Thanks for sharing your tips Mary, I haven’t ever attempted an arrangement in a pumpkin and have always admired yours…floral foam is often skipped in my impatient process, I must remember to use this valuable step~ the individual centerpieces are just beautiful, your guests are always in for a special treat or three!
Jenna
your arrangements are always so beautiful and unique. the artichokes are a wonderful addition!
Always the most beautiful show in blogland! Thanks for the tips… love the lightly gilded gourds!
Mary, Your tablescape is gorgeous and the centerpiece is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing your pretty table at the Open House party.
Hugs,
Sherry
Love this idea, how beautiful and that plaid table cover is sensational. I love it. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me and don’t forget to link up to our Holiday Baking Party on the 20th. Hugs, Marty
I saw one of your beautiful pumpkin centerpieces, and it inspired my own, but I used a pumpkin that had gone flat on one side, (highly discounted after Halloween I might add) and cut out the opening in the opposite side, leaving the stem intact.
Love the pumpkin centerpiece and the throw. Can’t take my off of these for a minute or two before I study your details. Your little pumpkin arrangements on each plate are gorgeous too. Love it all!!
Mary, these center pieces are incredibly beautiful! I just want to caution everyone. I made one and placed it on my dining room table for 3 days and the pumpkin rotted and ruined the finish on a very expensive table. Completely my fault. I just wasn’t thinking and should have placed it on a plate.
What a great collection of ideas! I might just try to make one this year…..
Thanks!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
I’ve never done a pumpkin centerpiece with flowers and I may do it this year. You are giving me the inspiration to give it a try. You make it look easy.
All your tables look stunning as always.