How to Create a Thanksgiving Centerpiece with Grocery Store Items

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is decorating the table but it can also sometimes get overlooked in the rush of cooking and cleaning and hosting. I’m going to show you one of my favorite ideas: how to create a Thanksgiving centerpiece with grocery store items. When you’re shopping for groceries for Thanksgiving, scour the produce section, throw a few extra things in the cart, and you’ll have a festive looking centerpiece without much extra work!

Prepare the table with the linens you plan to use and then begin creating your centerpiece.

The first step to creating this centerpiece is to find something large to use as the focal spot. I used these large grapevine pumpkins in varying sizes but you could also use real pumpkins, large gourds, or something else that adds a fun tone for fall. Shop your house and don’t be afraid to use something unexpected and whimsical.

I also like to tuck cutting boards or trays underneath the centerpiece to add a little more height and contrast.

Using a variety of colors and shapes is the key to creating an interesting fall centerpiece. When you’re shopping, choose items with varying textures.

Some of my favorites include kale, green and purple cabbage, pomegranates, artichokes, apples and pears in various colors, and grapes. Look for produce that’s on sale and remember that you can cut large items in half to cover more space.

Start by tucking pieces of kale in among the focal pieces. Kale is perfect because the curly leaves add instant color, texture, and dimension.

Next, place the larger items like cabbages cut in half, into the centerpiece. Alternate the way you lay them because cabbages look great when the inside shows …

… and just as great from the outside.

The final step is to tuck smaller fruits and vegetables among the other items and add a few accent pieces, like these wooden leaves {or real leaves from your yard}, if desired.

You can add as much or as little to your centerpiece as you want and by varying what you use, you can creae a really great centerpiece without a ton of produce.

You can set up your Thanksgiving centerpiece in advance and most fruits and vegetables will last for days sitting on the table. If they begin to look a little wilted, just give them a light spray with a water bottle {but be careful not to harm your dining room table!} or place the vulnerable pieces back in the fridge at night.