How to make a Cornucopia centerpiece

Dress up your Thanksgiving table spread with a traditional cornucopia, that will make your guests feel the warmth of the Holiday Harvest. Cornucopia is the "Horn of Plenty." It is a symbol of plentitude, strong harvest & abundance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cornucopia shell- made from basket weave or other desired material
• various fruits/vegetables- either real or fake depending on how long you want the piece to last
• Vegetables can include: mini pumpkins, corn (dried), squash, eggplant
• Fruits can include: pomegranet, apples, bananas, pears, grapes
• Other items can include: nuts, straw, leaves, flowers

1. Take your empty Cornucopia shell and begin by stuffing the inside with newspaper or shredded paper. This will allow you to not waste your decorate fruits & vegetables on the inner part of the Cornucopia where they won't be seen. Stuff it about half way, then you will want to begin using your fruits/vegetables.

2. Start stuffing the shell with your larger fruits/vegetables, and work your way to the opening of the shell. Mix up the fruits and vegetables that you use so you have a nice variety and don't have all of the same item in one place. Such as: you don't want to have all your apples in one group together.

3. As you get closer to the opening of your cornucopia, use the smaller fruits/vegetables and wedge them in small gaps or openings to help the other fruits and vegetables stay in place.

4. Know where you plan on placing your Cornucopia and position it there. Allow some of the small fruits/vegetables/nuts to spill out onto the table or surface it rests on. This gives an effect of "plenty."
   If you are using straw or leaves to add texture to your cornucopia, stick them in around the edges of the opening, allowing them to stick out in a spray or feathering fashion. You can even lay a small bunch of the straw under the cornucopia for added texture.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using fake fruits/vegetables, it would be extremely helpful to use hot glue to secure your fruits in the cornucopia shell and to other fruits/vegetables. This will also make it easier to save your centerpiece for future years' use!

[cadence]

on 11/19/2008 Great idea!