Holiday Tips

Easy Halloween and Fall Ideas

This is one of the easiest wreath you can make. Let's see how to do it!

Note: If you use fresh mini pumpkins they can begin to decay after a week or two. You might also make this wreath using artificial materials.

The artificial mini-pumpkins we used came with a beaded, sparkle coating on them which is pretty -- but probably not for outdoor display. You'll probably also find plain orange artificial mini-pumpkins or even other colors like white or green -- so it's your choice.

Holiday mini pumpkin wreath craft pieces

Supplies

Twig wreath form
Mini pumpkins to cover the form
Hot-glue gun
Floral Wire
Black Pipe Cleaner
Black ribbon (grosgrain, satin, or raffia)
Plastic Spiders

Instructions

Start with an 18-inch twig wreath. You'll want to find one that has a fairly flat top section, so there's enough surface for the glue to secure the pumpkins. This size wreath took 13 pumpkins, but when you buy your materials at a craft store, be sure to lay out pumpkins around the wreath to see how many will fit.
Once your arrangement is set, start gluing each pumpkin in place and let it dry. We're gluing ours on so each one touches the next, but at the top we left about a 6-inch space for our bow.
Little plastic spiders are a fun addition as well. Just dot the legs with a bit of hot glue and set down on one of the pumpkins for a spooky Halloween touch.
Finally, you'll need a bow and I've got a great simple technique for that. You'll need to find wired ribbon in a 2 or 3 inch width. The wire helps you arrange the bow and the streamers easily and will help too, if you keep the bow from year to year -- you can just fluff it out as needed.
Lay a 24" strip of ribbon down on the table. Now, take about a 36" piece and leave a 15 inch streamer. Begin to loop the ribbon from side to side, beginning with smaller loops, gradually making the loops wider. End up with another 15 inch streamer. Lay down a black pipe cleaner or a 12" length of floral wire. Now you can pick up the ends of the 24" strip and knot it securely around all of the loops and the wire. There's your bow!
Use the wire to attach the bow to the wreath, or if you wish you can hot glue it onto the front. I know you -- and your guests -- will enjoy seeing this wreath. Happy Halloween..

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Table Setting Ideas For The Holidays

On the top right side of this page is a picture of a simple yet elegant fall table setting

This table setting can be done in under 5 minutes and for under 10.00 dollars

All you need is one roll of ribbon of your choice of color and fabric (can be purchased at any dollar store)

I have used a stiff wire ribbon in the picture

Soft finished edge ribbon works very well also

One boquet of flowers or single stems depending on how many settings you are making

I have used mums for fall decorating and change the flowers placed in the ribbon according to the Holiday I am decorating for

Place you fork , knife and spoon if desired and place the ribbon around them and tie the ribbon in place

A loose tie looks best with this design

After you tie the ribbon cut the stem of the flower you have picked and place in the knot of the ribbon

If you have left over flowers place them in vase in your bathroom or other areas of your home

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Fold Decorative Napkins

To fold a napkin decoratively to surround a serving dish or souffle, first bring the four corners of a square napkin to the center.

Holding the four corners in place, turn the napkin over and fold the four new corners into the center.

Flip the napkin again, without letting it unfold.

Unfold the four centered corners back onto themselves. This looks great with a stemmed dessert glass on top.