Thanksgiving celebrations involve delicious food, good cheer and family time. This year’s festivities may be limited to small numbers of family members attending dinners of shorter duration or joining families and friends virtually.

To keep the joy in holidays, consider starting a new family tradition that involves children and adults. One suggestion is the creation of a Thanksgiving turkey centerpiece.

This Thanksgiving centerpiece is easy and fun to make.

To begin, enlist the family to gather the required supplies. You will need a large platter; a felt turkey head; flowers, wet floral foam and a container; a pineapple; and fruits and nuts.

Patterns for the felt turkey head can be found online; here are links to two patterns:

https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Move-over-Tom-Turkey-mum-centerpiece-will-2854509.php

http://beta.livepretty.com/2012/11/17/thanksgiving-pineapple-turkey-centerpiece-printable-pattern

Purchase the necessary felt turkey head supplies through an online vendor or variety store. Older children can follow the pattern to cut and sew, while younger children can insert the stuffing.

The flower arrangement can be made a few days before your holiday dinner.

For the flower arrangement, choose a medium-sized bouquet with bright fall colors that are appealing in appearance and complement your table décor. Encourage children to select the bouquet.

Purchase a block of wet foam and cut the foam to fit your container. For this arrangement, select a container about the size of a 16-ounce cottage cheese carton. Soak the foam thoroughly in water and place the foam into the container.

Place the greens first, then fill in with the larger flowers and smaller flowers, placing the filler pieces last.

School-age children can cut and arrange the flowers and greens. In addition to store-bought flowers, forage for greens and leaves in your own yard.

The day before making the flower arrangement, take the family on a foraging hike; take small pruners and a basket or bucket. Cut holly, white pine, and spruce to add to your arrangement. Include stems of pyracantha or beautyberry for additional color.

Discuss with children how trees and shrubs overwinter and which wildlife eat the berries. Name the trees and shrubs. Look for signs of wildlife, such as birds and chipmunks. Teach children why leaves change color as they select leaves for dressing around the pineapple.

Once the arrangement is completed, insert the turkey head. Set the arrangement in a cool location until you are ready to decorate your table. Keep the container half-way filled with cool water, as the flowers and foliage will soak up water.

Grocery shopping with the family can be an educational experience. Help children choose the pineapple, fruits and nuts for the arrangement. Select one pineapple and enough fruit to surround the pineapple. The pineapple should be firm, with stiff, unbroken leaves that fan out symmetrically.

When selecting the fruit and nuts, educate children about the nutritional value of produce. Choose fruits that your family will eat, such as apples, pears, oranges, lemons, limes, kiwis and grapes. Use larger sized nuts, such as whole walnuts and pecans, to fill in empty spaces.

To assemble the centerpiece, place the platter on the table. Position the pineapple lengthwise, then set the flower arrangement at the base of the pineapple, with the leaves becoming the turkey “feathers.” Children can surround the pineapple with the fruit, nuts and garden leaves.

Take a family photo with your holiday turkey, and your decorating is complete!

After the holiday, discard the flowers and foam. Store the turkey head for next year. Then, the family can partake of the “fruits” of their labor.

Creating this turkey centerpiece can be a new Thanksgiving tradition. Family members will appreciate its beauty, while children will learn about nature, nutrition and teamwork.

If you have questions about gardening, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7 or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.

Lisa Marie Bernardo, Ph.D., RN, is a Penn State Master Gardener of Butler County.

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