"They're Simply Gourdgeous"

Gourd Table Decorations

     There are so many wonderfully whimsical crafts you can make with the proliferation of miniature gourds and pumpkins that abound this time of year. Here are some quick and easy decorations to dress up your Fall Afternoon Tea table. 


     There’s nothing like candlelight to set the mood, and this gourd votive holder will create a warm ambiance for a chilly Fall afternoon.
     Place the votive candle on top of the gourd and trace a line around it.
     Using a slim-bladed box cutter, pierce the gourd’s flesh and cut out the whole. You can leave the seeds and flesh inside if you want or scoop it out.
     Set in the votive candle and light it. For additional decoration, you can place this votive gourd on top of some brightly colored Fall leaves.

     Another use for miniature gourds is a flower vase. Simply cut a hole in one end and arrange fresh or silk flowers or you can use artificial fruit, berries and leaves like you see here. 

 


 
   Here we have combined the first two ideas into one by using our gourd as a candlestick and vase. But, you must be very careful if you are going to light candles around silk or fresh flowers. You should use a tall candle and short flowers to give the flame ample room to glow without setting anything on fire. 







 
    Finally, we decided to use our miniature gourd as a sugar packet holder. Just trace the width of the sugar packets on top of the gourd and cut out a square to hold them. Then, to keep the packets dry, line the hole with aluminum foil tucked down inside. That will protect the packets from the seeds and pulp that are moist inside of the gourd.




     So head to your nearest pumpkin patch and bring home a basket full of brightly colored gourds and pumpkins. Your guests will oooh and aaah at how "gourdgeous" your Afternoon Tea table is set.