Natural Thanksgiving Centerpieces
Use materials from nature to create a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece for your tablescape. Here are two natural ideas to help you decorate.
Create a beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape with these natural centerpiece ideas. I used olive tree branches in my Thanksgiving centerpieces because it’s an easy addition from my farm. There is so much variety in nature for materials and it’s an easy, low cost way to decorate your table.
We don’t officially celebrate Thanksgiving here in Greece. But I was raised in the States and have always loved the warm family atmosphere that is created around this holiday. I always try to at least roast a turkey or bake a pie and we have a special sit down dinner on this most thankful of days.
First Thanksgiving Centerpiece Idea
I came up with two easy natural Thanksgiving centerpieces. I started out with this piece of wood that my husband had brought home. And I am very thankful for that husband of mine, who is always on the look out for little treasures like this.
Now this piece of wood had an unusual shape but I wanted to add a little more to it. I’ve been on a quest these past few months trying out natural wood stain methods, as you can see on my drunken table.
This time I went to visit my friend Wendi at H2O Bungalow and borrowed her method of staining wood naturally with tea. I am thankful to have such great friends that share these great tips with me.
I also grabbed some olive branches on my way out of the farm. Why olive branches? Because they are in abundance and they represent the fall months to me. The olive trees are in full bloom and we start harvesting the olives and the oil around this time of year. We are always thankful for the abundance of oil we get from our trees.
The next step was shaping the branches into a loose circle. This was placed on top of the wood.
I am also thankful that we have an abundance of pomegranates at the farm this time of the year. Their bright red and orange colors punch the landscape.
I place them in a glass bowl and add a lantern off to the side.
And what would fall be like without a few pinecones? I am thankful for the nearby forests that provide us with a plethora of pinecones that come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
I am oh so thankful for all the natural “junk” I found to upcycle.
I am also thankful that there is still hope for the environment if we do our part.
I am thankful for the health of my family and friends.
And that I have a roof over my head.
Second Thanksgiving Centerpiece idea
Now let’s change it up a bit and add a candle (oops I forgot to add the wick) and some pinecones to the Thanksgiving centerpiece.
I am thankful to all of you reading this who are now overlooking my slight error.
And another homemade candle that mirrors the pinecones.
Using a bit of chalk, I add a “T” for Thanksgiving on the end of the stump.
Most of all I am thankful to be able to come up with these ideas (and to even deal with the computer which fights with me all day). Because let’s face it, I have the best job in the world!
I hope you all enjoyed my easy tutorials on natural Thanksgiving centerpieces.
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It looks beautiful. I love the homemade candle!
The centerpiece is so lovely . I like the olive branches and the fact you found these items to create it.
It was a no brainer Debra because I’m surrounded by them all the time.
Oh Mary, your centerpiece is stunning. You are so creative to have used such an interesting piece of wood as the base for it all. And I LOVE all those wonderful olive branches and pomegranates. How wonderful to have access to it right at your fingertips. Your sweet thankful spirit spills out through all the photos, too. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Diane. I just received the highest compliment from a great photographer such as yourself.
Mary, I have this year prepared any decoration autumn. But I started doing the album in December 🙂
I am looking forward to seeing the December album Holly.
I do think the best centerpieces are the most functional/use what you have ones! It goes to show that you don’t have to spend gobs on making a table look great!
Although I have to laugh, because my mom just picked up a piece of wood the other day and brought it home—and my husband & I made fun of her! Shame on us!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie, I knew there was a secret reason why I have taken such a liking to your mom! Great minds Jodie!!
This is absolutely stunning Mary. I love crafts and handmade pieces, and how fab that you still celebrate Thanksgiving, a lovely way to remember your roots 🙂
Thanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. Hope to see you next week xx
Thank you Jayne. I have to make an effort to figure out that Twitter thing so I can join in.
Mary, It is wonderful to get to know you. I am just enamored by your vision. You beautifully crafted Thanksgiving centerpiece is simply lovely. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me.
Thanks also for joining the blog hop. You are the best.
xoxo
Thank you Meegan for hosting this most “thankful” of blog hops. It was a great opportunity for all of us to remind ourselves and our readers why this most blessed of holidays is so important.
Love the greenery and you are so fortunate to have a Hubby who is n the look-out for creative goodies for your projects! You pulled together a beautiful centerpiece!
I am so lucky to have him, he always looks out for treasures to bring home.
Hi Mary,
Your wreath is lovely! Why I never thought of looking at olive trees to cut off a few branches to create a wreath before, I don’t know. Soooo beautiful, easy, and natural! 🙂
Thank you for sharing!
p.s. I don’t think I have shared that my maiden name is Simonalle {was Simonelli until my father went into the US Army back in the 50’s}. His adopted father and mother emigrated from Genoa and Napoli around the turn of the 20th century. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!
Barb 🙂
The more I blog Barbara the more I see beauty in nature. Olive trees and leaves are really gorgous. They have a silvery shine to them on one side. I learned to appreciate them when we go on our yearly harvest of the olives. So with your Italian background can I guess correctly that you know all about olives? Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh Mary, love your centerpiece with that interesting piece of wood! The pomegranates are just the right touch with their brilliant colors and they taste so good too. Everything comes together with the olive branches, pomes, pinecones, wood, and your other touches. It’s very beautiful and Thanksgiving-ey. Pinned.
Florence you are always so sweet. I always look for ways to improvise and work with what is around me. I need to get creative because I usually don’t like what is in the stores and also we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here.
Mary, I love using natural elements in my decorating! The wood piece is so unique and I love the addition of the olive branches and pomegranates. Great job! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you Jann. A little bit of nature goes a long way.
You’re indeed so lucky to find these treasures but of course they would be nothing without your talents!
Aww thank you sweet Katerina. I owe it all to the inspiration I get here in blogland. I could not have done any of this 2 years ago. The right side of my brain was rusty!
Your photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Like I always say, Mary, you come up with the greatest ideas! Olive oil and Pomegranates – two expensive commodities here in Canada. How lucky are you to have them at arm’s reach. Love that your hubby, like mine, brings you treasures.
I may have those Marie but you have snow and log cabins and maple syrup. We always want what we don’t have. We have the best kind of hubbies!
I looooooove these ideas !!! So simple but so beautiful
Those are beautiful olive branches! Love the rustic look of this centerpiece. Indeed, there’s definitely always something to be thankful for!
I absolutely agree Melanie. We have so much to be grateful for and it is the little things that mean the most, like those olive branches.
Such beautiful elements and so artfully displayed, Mary! Thanks so much for sharing your posts with us at Vintage Charm 🙂
I am thankful for you and that I feel I have gotten to know you through your blog! I am always amazed at what creative projects you come up with, and this one is no exception!
Thank you so much Chloe. That means a lot coming from you.
I love handmade decorations made using real foliage. This is beautiful. It’s one of our features at this week’s Funtastic Friday.
How lovely Mary. I always love to see how you use natural elements so beautifully! Mother Nature has given us some lovely gems for us to cherish and for that I’m thankful! xo