The cornucopia, that symbol of abundance and the harvest, has graced the Thanksgiving table or sideboard for generations. While the original version in ancient Greece was a goat’s horn, the American cornucopia is typically a horn-shaped wicker basket filled with a colorful array of fall vegetables and fruit.
With a little thought and some creative time, it’s easy to update the traditional cornucopia for a table centerpiece.
that looks lovely filled with cream- and caramel-colored goodies. Think wheat sheaves, golden apples; pears and mini white pumpkins (westelm.com).
Pottery Barn has that can be reused each year. Mix them or use multiples of just one. (potterybarn.com, $14.50 and up).
suggest making mini-cornucopia out of chair caning, or larger ones for door decor. The small ones, stuffed with tissue and a handful of nuts, make clever party favors. The big versions, filled with pear branches, seeded eucalyptus and dried flowers, would look great right through to winter’s holiday season (marthastewart.com). Most craft suppliers stock grapevine horn-shaped baskets in a variety of sizes.
Or you can create your own horn-shaped receptacle out of all sorts of materials. Artist Natalie Raevsky (nraevsky.blogspot.com) has to make one out of papier mache, lined with burlap and wrapped with raffia.
For a minimalist, rustic or edgier look, form some hardware-store aluminum chicken wire into the horn and fill with pine cones. Edible versions are a fun project for children to help with. Home Made Simple (homemadesimple.com) has or, if you’d like to place yours on the Thanksgiving dessert table, that can be filled with berries and grapes (thechocolatebelles.com).
