How to Make a Turkey Candle Holder

If you are looking for a way to spice up your Thanksgiving table, here is a creative new way to use a pumpkin. With a pumpkin, a squash and some creativity, you can make your own candle holder shaped like a turkey.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Paint
• Knife
• Taper candles
• Toothpicks

1. Prop the pumpkin up at an angle so that the stem of the pumpkin will be at the proper level to be the turkey's head. If the pumpkin won't stay flat, you may need to shave off the bottom of the pumpkin with a knife to allow it to stay flat on the table or platter.

2. Cut off the neck end of a squash, hollow it out a bit, and affix it over the stem of the pumpkin to create a head and neck for the turkey. Paint eyes on the turkey and attach a paper beak and wattle to the turkey's face. Depending on the length of the squash stem, you may be able to simply paint it yellow to look like a beak.

3. Slice off the sides of the squash and cut them to make the squash look like turkey feet. Prop the pumpkin body on top of the feet, ensuring the pumpkin turkey will balance properly on the feet. If you need to, affix the squash feet to the pumpkin using toothpicks.

4. Cut holes for the candles in the back of the turkey. The candles should be inserted to look like feathers. Make sure you measure the end of the candles and don't make the holes too big, or else they will not hold the candles snugly.

5. Insert the candles and make sure the pumpkin body is still stable with the additional weight of the candles. Light the candles and enjoy your turkey candelabra.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the holes that are made in the pumpkin are small enough so the candles will fit tightly into the pumpkin and not fall over. If the holes are accidentally cut too large, you may need to wrap the ends of the candles with cellophane to make them fit in the holes more tightly.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.

• Make sure the pumpkin is stable and will stay on the flat surface without rolling before lighting the candles.