It’s down to the wire for your Thanksgiving meal and your table looks under-dressed. The big question is…candles or flowers? Why settle for either one when you can have both? This bouquet-candle centerpiece is quick and easy to make. All you need is a small pumpkin, some dried rice, flowers, and a tea light!

When making a pumpkin bouquet one usually places a can or jar inside the pumpkin to act as a vase. Today’s bouquet-candle is different; the flowers go into the sides of the pumpkin and the tea light sits in the top. It’s really quick to make but will only last two days.

Craft Materials:

• 1 small pumpkin or other squash
• Flowers (I suggest flowers that will sit close to the fruit—small mums work well)
• ¼ – ½ cup dried rice
• 1 tea light
• Knife and scoop for cutting top off pumpkin and removing seeds
• Awl or other sharp tool for holes (I used a Phillips screwdriver)
• Vegetable peeler for rounding out top opening (optional)

Craft Steps:

• Place dried rice in a small bowl and add water to cover. Allow to soak. Meanwhile…
• Cut the top off your pumpkin, being careful not to puncture the bottom of the fruit. Remove pumpkin seeds and flesh
• Round out the opening with the vegetable peeler
• Poke holes for the flowers using the awl or other pointy tool. You will want to stay above the mid-line. Keep in mind that all flower stems should aim down to the bottom center of the pumpkin. Try two rows of alternating punctures or, for a more classic look, make evenly-lined punctures only in the ribs of the fruit (as seen in the picture below).
• Trim the flower stems and place the flowers in the holes. If you feel any resistance it might be fleshy strings on the inside of the fruit; simply scrape them away.
• Strain the rice and carefully spoon it into the pumpkin, tapping lightly so it fills the entire chamber.
• Even off the top.
• Seat the tea light in center.

Sending Warm Blessings for Your Thanksgiving Holiday