ALT-1 Table Decorations for the Holidays
Are you looking for a chic and elegant table decoration for the holidays this year? Something that is easy to put together, family-friendly, and maybe even cute? Try putting together a series of holiday table decorations based on a large glass vase with holiday items inside.
For the base, check out craft stores, home decor shops, and even everything-for-a-dollar places to find a pretty glass vase or a round fish bowl. It should be fairly large and plain, but elegant. Ideally, the glass should be thick and heavy. You won't want a delicate vase, particularly for outdoor use. A vase which is almost spherical would be perfect. Whatever shape you choose, be sure the opening is big enough to enable you to safely fill the vase with the items you’ll be adding to it. Figure on tennis-ball size as a minimum; softball would be better. You might also pick up a few rose-bowls in order to make miniature versions of these centerpieces for sideboards and mantelpieces.
Halloween
Small colourful gourds the shape of pumpkins are readily available in farm markets, grocery stores, and some craft-supply shops. Jack-o-lantern faces may be drawn on the miniature gourds with permanent black felt-tip marker. This is an easy, fun project for the whole family. Very young children could use no-toxic water-color felt-tip markers of the kind normally used for coloring books.
Thanksgiving
The same types of gourds, without the faces, make a festive Thanksgiving table decoration. Fake autumn leaves, assorted fruit, and brown feathers may be added to the vase if you like.
Christmas
That same glass vase with glass tree decorations inside makes a festive Christmas accent. A few sprigs of pine or spruce to line the bottom of a wide vase, or to poke out the top of a tall one can make a nice touch. If the bulbs are white or silver, or pale blue, this also works well for New Year’s Eve.
If you happen to have some floating candles on hand (or if you spotted some cute ones at the craft store), your vases can be used as candle holders. Fill them half-way with water and float a candle inside. For safety reasons, never leave these or any other candles lit when they are unattended. The glass will become warm, or even hot, after a while, so it is a good idea to put a trivet under the vase, to protect your tabletop.
Starting with a simple vase, you can put together lovely and simple table decorations for the holidays.
