Start with a base on some type, a large flat surface in which your cornucopia can be moved if you want. This could be a flat wicker type basket, a mirror or anything else that would work.
Get a horn of plenty basket at any craft store. Stuff the bottom of the cornucopia with some type of filler with could be floral moss or raffia are good choices. Collect some fall leaves that have been dried off and lay the leaves in a pleasing arrangement on the bottom of the basket and on the sides of the flat base, then reserve some more leaves for later.
You’ll want to fill it loosely with fruits and vegetables the largest of the produce towards the back of the cornucopia. Don’t overfill it as you’ll want to make it look as though the produce is spilling from the basket.
Here’s a list of wonderful fruits and baskets that can be used in a cornucopia:
- Small pumpkins
- Gourds
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pomegranates
- Indian corn
- Acorns (whole)
- Cranberries (whole)
- Walnuts (whole)
Once you’ve arranged the fruits and vegetables in a way pleasing to you eye, take some more of the dried autumn leaves and tuck them in and around the sides of the cornucopia and a few towards the top and back of the basket. Cranberries, walnuts and acorns placed strategically also finish off the look.
While you are making this beautiful fall Thanksgiving cornucopia décor, consider making an extra one or two alongside to give to a special friend, family member or neighbor. They would always be a welcome gift!
In the same theme of Thanksgiving décor items that you can make is an autumn wreath. A straw base can be purchased inexpensively at a craft store and you can make the wreath the closely match your cornucopia if you want.
Here are some items you’ll need for your wreath:
- Hot glue gun
- Floral wire
- Wire cutters
- Floral wire
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Ribbon (optional)
- Some of the same fruits and vegetables used above, except you might want to use dried orange and apple slices instead of whole fruits and miniature pumpkins and gourds.
When making a wreath the main thing to keep in mind is balance. Other than that, there’s really no wrong way. If you choose to use a ribbon, make your ribbon now and attach it with floral wire to your wreath base. Sometimes people like to glue the ribbon to also wrap around the wreath loosely. If you want to have this look, do it now as well.
Next, choose your biggest items you’ll want to attach. At first just set them on the wreath where you think you’ll want them, step back and look at the balance and spacing. If it pleases your eye, then anchor them to the wreath, either with hot glue or wiring with floral wire or a combination of both.
Choose your second largest item and do the same. You’ll continue doing this until you reach your smallest items to fill in any spaces or gaps.
Wreaths and cornucopias are such classic traditional Thanksgiving décor items that are inexpensive, yet beautiful décor items that announce the holidays have arrived. Get creative and enjoy the process as each one is truly unique.
Valerie Garner - Hi, I'm Valerie a midlife lady who loves to learn new things, photography, reading, writing, and drinking coffee with friends. I've ...
