Ornamental gourds add color to any backyard patio or indoor table. And at this time of year they add to the festive fall look. With Halloween and Thanksgiving coming up its time to use those ornamental gourds for decorating. Here are a few ways to decorate you home for the fall holidays.
CANDLE HOLDERS: Buy or grow your own miniature pumpkins and gourds. Look for ones with flat bottoms so that they will stand tall and not fall over. Cut a circle in the center of the gourd with a lid-cutting saw from a pumpkin-carving kit. Insert a votive or a tall candle. Place them intermittently on the table or on a tray with fall foliage. they also look good on the patio, windowsills and fireplace mantels.
CENTERPIECE: Buy a perfectly round bright orange pumpkin (I like to use a large pie pumpkin). This will be used as a centerpiece for your table. First, cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin with your pumpkin-carving kit safety knife and clean out the seeds and pulp.
Place a glass or vase inside that is the same height as the pumpkin and fill it with water. Arrange colorful mums or fall flowers of your choice inside the glass to make a beautiful show-stopping centerpiece. I like either use a few fern leaves and find a vine that will cascade down the side of the pumpkin. Place small gourds around the centerpiece and on the table.
ICE BUCKET: Buy a round orange wide pumpkin with a stable flat bottom. Cut off the top third portion of the pumpkin with a serrated knife. Scrape out the seeds and pulp. Line the pumpkin with a glass or plastic bowl. Fill with ice and you have an instant ice bucket for drinks. Place colorful fall leaves that you have dried or waxed to preserve around the pumpkin.
NAME TAGS: Use very small gourds as name tags or place settings. Place a name on the gourd with a marker or paint. This is a fun decoration for a children’s Halloween party
There are many creative ways to use gourds and pumpkins for fall decorating. You are only limited by your imagination.
