How to Make a Floral Turkey Thanksgiving Centerpiece

A floral turkey centerpiece is one of the most beautiful decorations that can grace a Thanksgiving table. This turkey craft project, made with chrysanthemums, will make your holiday season feel complete. Your kids can help out by inserting the flowers into the turkey's body. Older children may be able to assist with some of the more complex parts of the project. This turkey centerpiece should be made no more than a few days in advance, since the flowers will wilt if left out too long.

Things You'll Need

• Turkey template
• Tray
• 80 chrysanthemums
• Knife
• Clippers
• Preservative for flowers
• Floral foam
• Wiggle eyes
• Brown, red and yellow felt
• Thread
• Stuffing
• Wire hanger
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. 

   Print out the turkey template. Cut out the separate pieces and trace them onto the pieces of felt. Use brown felt for the head, yellow for the beak and red for the gobbler. Cut out two pieces of felt for the head and the beak.

2. Bend the wire coat hanger so that the majority is straight. Do not straighten the topmost part of the hanger.

3. Sew together the two pieces of brown felt. Turn the felt inside out and insert the hanger hook inside. Stuff the interior with cotton or acrylic stuffing. Sew the turkey's beak together on the top and bottom. Turn the beak inside out as well, and stuff it. Sew it onto the front of the turkey's head. Sew on the gobbler just beneath the beak. Attach the wiggle eyes with hot glue. For best results, allow the glue to cool for about two seconds before attaching the eyes.

4. Trim the floral foam, rounding the corners slightly. Set the foam in a bucket. Mix the floral preservative with water and pour it over the foam. Allow the foam to soak for about half an hour.

5. Place the floral foam on a tray. Cut several of the stems of the chrysanthemums down to three inches. Insert them into the portion of the foam, which will become the turkey's body. Continue cutting stems and inserting them until the bulk of the body is covered. Cut the remainder of the chrysanthemum stems to a length of six inches. Insert these at the back of the project to indicate the turkey's tail.

6. Trim the coat hanger so that it is shorter than the length of the floral foam. Push the exposed hanger of the turkey's head inside the foam so that it's firmly anchored.

Tips & Warnings

• Water the turkey centerpiece daily for optimum freshness.

• Vary the color and type of flowers you use for this project to heighten its beauty and texture.