How to Turn a Gourd into a Turkey Table Decoration

The finished gourd turkey

Thanksgiving and harvest season is a time of year to reflect on all we’re blessed with and thankful for in life. It’s also an occasion to entertain loved ones and eat turkey and all the fixings. This year as you decorate for the holiday get-together, add a whimsical touch to your traditional decorations with this playful turkey table decoration. Placed alone or in a flock, this gourd creation crafted from inexpensive items will add an element of fun to any table.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Gourd
• Base of a plastic wine glass
• Construction paper (two colors)
• Wooden skewers
• Thumb tacks
• Googly eyes
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Black marker

1. 

   Prepare for this project by gathering all the supplies on a table or large tray. Wash and dry the gourd. Plug in the glue gun to allow it ample time to heat. Make sure to place the hot glue gun and scissors far from the reach of children and pets.

2. 

   Create the turkey feathers by drawing and cutting out a total of 10 feathers, four of one color and six of another, from the construction paper. Choose harvest colors for the feathers: red, orange, yellow and brown. Add details to the feathers with the black marker. Lay one feather face down on the table and hot glue a half piece (about 4 inches long) of the wooden skewer to it. Glue another feather of the same color to the opposite side of the stick. Repeat this procedure until there are five completed feathers.

3. 

   Fold a piece of construction paper in half and draw a small wing. When you cut it out, you’ll end up with two identical wings for the turkey. Use the black marker to draw on extra wing details.

4. 

   Form the base of the turkey decoration by carefully pushing the tip of the plastic wine glass into the bottom of the gourd. Slowly twist it until it’s secure. To hold it in place, apply hot glue around the tip and around the outer edge of the gourd.

5. 

   Attach the feathers and wings to the turkey gourd by gently pushing them into the gourd. Position the five feathers along the upper back of the gourd, tapering them slightly down at the outer edges. Fasten the turkey wings to the front of the gourd with thumb tacks.

6. 

   Form the turkey face by hot gluing two googly eyes at the tip of the gourd. Cut and blacken a small piece of skewer and push it into the gourd to create the beak. Cut a small giblet from red construction paper and hot glue it underneath the beak.

Tips & Warnings

• To save time, draw one feather on the construction paper and cut it out to use as a template for the others. This will speed up the process and ensure uniformity.

• Always exercise caution when handling a hot glue gun. The melted glue and gun tip are both very hot.