THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECES- what's your plan?

Table is large but not large enough when filled with all those plates and bowls and family!

I would like to have a festive arrangement that will actually remain on the table during dinner - suggestions?

I did away with centerpieces during the Reagan administration. They take up space on the table and people can't see each other through them. I considered them a hindrance and stopped busting my chops about centerpieces. If you don't want them to be vertical, you'll go horizontal, meaning long and/or wide, thereby taking valuable real estate space on your table. So, it was off with the centerpieces. We haven't missed them since. And you know what? it's one less worry when we entertain.

And if there's ONE THING I just can't stomach, it's people who arrive with bunches of supermarket cut flowers and tell you to put them in water. No kidding, Sherlock: I'm a gardener. I would have figured that out eventually. So, my busy kitchen counter becomes an ikebana workshop. I need that wide glass cylinder. Where are my kenzans? Where is the putty I use to secure the kenzans? What will I use to cover the bottom of the cylinder? There are bags of sand and pebbles stored with the kenzans, if I could just remember where I stowed them; memory don't fail me now. Do I have bottled water? The chloramines in our drinking water will wilt the flowers before we serve dessert. No, I won't add the little plant preserver bag in there; they won't be around long enough for that. Why, oh why didn't these people pick up a bottle of domestic, moderately priced wine instead of cut flowers? It must have something to do with being a gardener. I should develop a reputation as a drinker. This impromptu ikebana is going to drive me to drink anyway. When I am done, the centerpiece I didn't want is sitting there on the dining room table so everyone can OOOH and AAAH at it: crapazoid!

When I entertain, I definitely have no time for that kind of nonsense. And the most un-zen thing of all: dealing with the dead flowers 2 days later, before hordes of little flies start showing up around the arrangement. Into the garbage they go. Don't forget to remove the kenzans. Those things are valuable. Rinse out the little pebbles and air-dry them, too. They come in handy. Wash out the glass cylinder, store the kenzans and the pebbles in the glass cylinder, along with the putty so there will be less frenzy next time someone else brings armfulls of cut flowers; memory don't fail me next time. Nope, all things considered, we're better off without centerpieces in our house.

Take care, all.
Sylvain.

Loved it!!! We don't do centerpieces anymore either. I usually make up a bowl of different friut for the side table and just a couple candles on the dining table. That's it....Simple and easy.

LOL. OK. ... OK. ... I get it

I am thinking of a low bowl full of different sizes blown glass balls. I have autumn colors and I think they'll spark up. The grandkids may like.

I'm sure those guests just want to sat thanks for having us and want to bring something pretty and festive. I don't think it matters if the flowers don't like chlorinated water, or aren't standing in a fine crystal vase or are destined for the compost heap next day. Some are not confident about wine or matching wine to the menu And the hosts feeling obligated to serve -- flowers are safer. when I visit - I bring a pound of good coffee. If I know there is a grinder, I make it whole bean, if not -- It's ground at the shop. But--- I guess there will be someone who wants tea............ loose.......not in bags......

When in doubt, the wife and I bring champagne: La Veuve Cliquot, or Dom Perignon. It will arrive at room temperature, so the hosts can put it away and have it in peace after the guests leave. As we say in french, as we offer the bottle: "Pour quand la poussière retombera" (For when the dust settles). You can't go wrong with champagne. And the hostess will not have to worry about pairing the champagne with whatever it is that is being served. Bubbly is way better than a centerpiece, IMOHO.

Sylvain.

You would be batting zero at my table Sylvain pre or post dust.
Don't like champagne at all.
Don't like wine - except for once tasted a german reisling --Dr Loosen auslese - it was $45 dollars and so won't have that in the wine fridge. Spouse enjoys wine but he is not a fan of champagne. Pinot grigio is his wine of choice and some reds.

When we were young and dirt poor, we'd often stick a candle in the neck of a wine bottle and build up the wax as it dripped. Lots of wax on this "centerpiece" represented lots of good meals and conversation with friends 'round the table.

Here at our home.. the turkey is the centerpiece.. lol

And the star of the day!