Thanksgiving Cornucopia
I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving has really snuck up on me this year. If you’ve been putting off getting the last of your Thanksgiving preparations together, you don’t have a lot of time. I know I still have a few napkins I’d like to finish up for my table! What about you? Do you have family coming in town? Are you ready?
One of the things I really looked forward to getting out this year is this cornucopia I put together last year.
I like the natural look of the twine-wrapped raffia, burlap, and wheat stalks.
Of course, the produce is new this year.
It took a little while to put together, but I’m happy with the results, so I think the effort was worth it.
If you want to make your own, start with this tutorial here, which explains how to make the actual horn, but stops short of telling you how to fill it, which is the part I really struggled with last year. This year, I think I’ve got it figured out.
You’ll need two large bundles of wheat grass from the craft store. I waited until they were on sale, so it cost me a total of $6 for both.
They come with whiskers, which you will want to take off to get the look we’re going for.
You can either pull them off or cut them off. It’s hard to do either without losing some of the little seeds, but don’t worry too much about it. When you’re all done, it won’t really make a difference. By the way, this part is SUPER messy! You’ll have little seeds and whiskers EVERYWHERE! Aack!
Gather about 15 stalks together, and wrap them with wire, or something that’ll keep them together. Try to arrange each bundle with the stalks in the center just a little bit taller than the ones on the outside edge.
Put together about 15-20 of these little bundles. Once you get this part done, which is what took me the longest, you’re ready for the fun part.
Start arranging the bundles around your cornucopia. Insert a few inside the front edge (the side that shows), but arrange the rest underneath and just to the outside. It’s important to note that you’re not going to glue the wheat stalk bundles together or to the inside of the cornucopia. That way, when you take it all apart, you can store the wheat stalks inside the cornucopia for safe keeping until next year.
I used a little bag of beans underneath the back edge to keep the cornucopia where I wanted it while I was filling it. Also, you can see here that the wheat stalk bundles may show underneath.
Which is why I strategically placed these two little squashes in front so you couldn’t see.
Now just start placing your produce in the cornucopia. I tried to start with the biggest ones first, placing them in the back and on the bottom.
Lastly, add a few nuts to fill in any gaps.
When you’re all done, stand back and admire your beautiful cornucopia!
Or on second thought, you might want to file this idea away for next year! In any case, I hope your Thanksgiving preparations are coming along.
Stay tuned for an update on Little Guy’s bedroom makeover. I’ve got the paint up and can’t wait to show you what it looks like so far!
Thanks for stopping by today!
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I can’t believe that you made that cornucopia! I’m impressed … and I love how the finished produce-stuffed version looks! Amazing …
Oh, and thanks for the room makeover taunt! I did take advantage of my 60% off Veteran’s Day coupon at JoAnn’s to get the fabric I’d been eyeing for the master …
:)
Linda
Hi Debbie.
Just love your cornucopia ready for your thanks giving celebration. What a lot of effort you have put into it, you should be so proud. Do you have family & friends coming to your home to share in your celebration.
It’s not something which is celebrated here in France, Although the French do have lots of fete days .
Happy thanks giving to you & your family.
Barbara Lilian
A lovely cornucopia presentation. Great idea about removing the “whiskers” shows off the kernels even better. I love the little dresser that your presentation sits on and also the lamp. Thank you for posting. And I will save this page to my Internet “Favorites” for ideas for next year. Again thank you! Warmly, Mary
Debbie, I hadn’t had a chance to read through this all the way until now. Umm, WOW! It’s gorgeous girlfriend!!! And are you telling me you made that cornucopia? Cuz OMG it’a amazing!!! Thanksgiving’s at my house this year, and my family’ll be lucky if they get to eat off of regular plates (it’s plastic here most of the time). Yours is obviously gonna be gorgeous, so I think I’m just gonna drive that way and hang out at your house! :)
Long time ago I tried to put together a cornucopia and I gave up! It didn’t turn out good, since then I haven’t give them a second chance.
Your cornucopia looks great! I love how the wheat grass helps frame the whole arrangement! Beautiful!
Debbie,
That is the greatest Thanksgiving vignette I have seen ever! I didn’t even know to look for instructions to make a cornucopia! It just really reminds me of what Thanksgiving is about because that is what I remember seeing in grade school when we talked about the Pilgrims. Just awesome!
I also enjoyed learning more about you from your tag questions. We have a lot in common!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I have been absent for most of a year now so I am touched that someone new would comment! I have put your blog on my reader now!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Bonnie