take two: DIY centerpiece

Elizabeth's Thanksgiving centerpiece from last year offers all sorts of things to be thankful for:

• It's both unique and inexpensive.
• Looks impressive but is easy to make.
• Works as a holiday centerpiece or to light the way to your home.
• Your jack-o'-lantern tools (and skills!) should be easy to locate this soon after Halloween.
• Makes a great activity to keep guests occupied while you tend to the bird.

1. Hollow out a winter squash jack-o'-lantern–style. (Large kabocha and acorn squash and even small pumpkins work great; just skip the spaghetti and carnival squash, as their skins are too tough to cut easily.) Remember, the bigger your squash, the easier it will be to carve — and the less likely your candle flame will scorch the squash's lid. If your squash won't sit flat on its own, cut off the bottom tip and set your squash on a saucer.

2. Carve a Thanksgiving-themed image into your squash. I went with a maple leaf, turkey and abbreviated "thanks" here, but if your artistic skills are more Mondrian than Monet, just get six squash, carve one letter of the word "THANKS" in each one, and line them up along the middle of your table.

3. Pop a tea light inside each squash, light it, and you're good to glow!

Comments

If you have LED votives on hand, those are even easier--no worries about a too-small squash setting off the fire alarm. Happy Thanksgiving!