by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: October 31, 2009

In today's current economic climate, most people are probably concerned or worried about the expenses of the forthcoming holidays. The food for Thanksgiving will be the greatest expense, but the way the table looks sets the mood for the entire meal and event. It is possible to make your table look fabulous without having to spend an arm and a leg.

Here are some ideas that can help give your table a more festive look.

*CANDLES -

There are several ways you can approach this. If you want to use large pillar candles, look for a tall and wide vase or bowl. Fill it with apples, pears and other fall fruits, and place the candle in the center. For a smaller or shallower bowl, fill it with cranberries or crab apples and then fill it with water. If the bowl is not very deep, you may be able to put a votive candle in it. You could put a pillar candle in the bowl, or you can float tea light candles in the bowl.

*FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CHARACTERS -

If you are old enough to know who Mr. Potato Head is, you will understand the principal behind this idea easily.

You will need apples, pears, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, any type of root vegetable or squash. You will also need toothpicks, cloves, radishes, prunes, raisins and white raisins. You will also need a sharp kitchen knife.

To give your characters ears, you can take your knife and cut prunes into a shape that looks like an ear. To secure that to your fruit or vegetable character, use two toothpicks. Do that for both sides and for as many of your characters as you like.

To create eyes, you can use raisins and cloves. Use the cloves to secure the raisin to the character. You can use a white raisin for the nose, and secure that with a toothpick. To create a mouth or lips, use the radish. Secure that with toothpicks as well.

NATURE INSPIRED TABLE RUNNER -

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on flowers that won't live anyway, consider purchasing some mini pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. Then look for beautiful colored leaves outside. If you can find crab apples, pine cones, attractive branches, acorns or nuts, you can arrange them on a fall colored piece of fabric. You could also use the mini pumpkins for candle holders. If you want something more structured, you can find long sticks and use a hot glue gun to glue branches together, and glue the leaves, pine cones, acorns, nuts or even cranberries all on the branches.

INDIAN CORN TABLE CLOTH OR PLACE MATS -

Cut uncooked pieces of corn into chunks that are 2 1/2 inches long. Secure corn holders to both ends of each chunk. Then pour a small amount of fabric paint on paper plates. You will want to purchase Indian corn inspired colors. You won't need purple because you can use the red and blue to create that.

Roll one of the ears of corn around in one color, making sure to get paint in all of the crevices. Then roll the ear along the length of the place mat or tablecloth. Then use another chunk to do the same thing with another color. Allow the lines to cross one another so that the colors start to blend together. Do this in whatever pattern you want to create. You will need to follow the manufacturer's instructions to heat set the fabric paint.

These ideas are things that you can do to create a very festive tablescape. Much of what you use will be found objects, food or things that won't cost too much money. The fun you have in making the elements of the tablescape will make it seem all the more special. Get the entire family involved and turn it into a holiday bonding experience. You never know; it may become a new family tradition for Thanksgiving preparations.

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