Thanksgiving and Harvest Decorations

My favorite type of decorations are those that can be eaten. Gourds, squashes, and pumpkins – all good for you vegetables – can be placed on a table, in a bowl or on the mantel for decorating. Then, you can roast them and eat them after you’ve enjoyed them for Thanksgiving and harvest decorating. By using leaves, branches or twigs gathered from walks, your home will look lovely and you can compost those items when you’re ready for the next season.

Finding leaves that have rich colors and lots of details is what I keep my eyes peeled for. To get leaves to dry flat, place them in between sheets of wax paper and then set your leaf collection under a big book. Leave them for a week or longer – until they dry out completely and are nice and flat. If you don’t let them dry flat, your leaves will curl.

This was an especially good year for me when I placed these beauties in the bowl.

We grew all of these gourds and squashes from seeds that were saved from last year’s decorations – and meals.

If you want to grow your own vegetables for decorating with next year, buy seeds that are open-pollinated and not hybrids. It should say on the seed packet.

If you want to buy fully grown squash or gourds and save their seeds, try and buy organic ones. My experience in saving seeds is that organic vegetables work better.

Make sure to label the seeds – or you’ll get a little surprise in the garden. Happy decorating!

How do you like to decorate with nature? What’s your favorite harvest decoration?

Go Gingham related links:

Pumpkin and squash soup – it’s easy and delicious!
Saving seeds and reusing them in the garden!
Thanksgiving table-cloth made for our dining room table
Matching napkins for the table-cloth – made from an old skirt
Using nature to decorate your home – frugal and fancy decorating

More related links:

• Cubit’s Organic Living: Laura and Ryan share their tips on living and gardening organically (plus their babies are absolutely adorable!).
• Cubit’s Etsy shop sells ethical seeds for edible gardens.
• Organic gardening has tips on saving seeds and growing tips, too.