THANKSGIVING DOUGH BOWL CENTERPIECE
I’m very excited to share an easy to create Thanksgiving centerpiece with you today! If you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner you will love this YUMMY, organic idea! And it’s beautiful, showing off the bounty of the earth. I purchased all of the veggies, fruit, twigs, and greens at my local grocery store. Easy-peasy! And when this centerpiece is done being a fabulous part of your Thanksgiving table it can be deconstructed and eaten! Even if you don’t have a creative bone in your body… you can make this!
Let’s make a centerpiece!
To make this colorful centerpiece you will need a dough bowl or a large, deep oval platter. I’ve had this dough bowl for years! If you don’t have one this might be something you would like to invest in. You can use a dough bowl in so many ways!
I then filled the bowl with lots of vegetables, a couple fruits, and some other greens…
I started layering the contents in the dough bowl with the big, heavy items first. Green cabbage, cauliflower, red cabbage, and a pomegranate. Just layer them in on the bottom.
The next veggies I added to the diagonal ends of the dough bowl were carrots and asparagus. On the other diagonal ends, I added in herbs. Flat leaf parsley on one side and thyme on the other
Then I anchored in some curly twigs under the heavy veggies in the middle of the bowl.
Now comes the fun! Layer the small veggies in the bowl. I used artichokes, pomegranates, radicchio, radishes and red peppers. If you make your own edible Thanksgiving centerpiece make sure to make it COLORFUL!
Don’t you love the artichoke next to the radishes? I think they make such a stunning pair!
The last thing added to the dough bowl centerpiece were some dark purple grapes and shiny leaves. They are fabulous for filling in any gaps in the arrangement!
When your dough bowl has been styled don’t stop there! Add a few dishes around it! You may not want to add as many as I did, but a bowl of nuts on a pedestal or a pitcher of silver might look nice!
Don’t forget candles!
And how about nuts? When I was growing up we always had assorted shelled nuts in a big bowl with nutcrackers during the holidays. I’m keeping this tradition alive. Traditions are like glue, they hold families together!
Traditions are like glue, they hold families together!
Are you ready to make your own Thanksgiving dough bowl? You can do this!!!!!
Did you know that I have a “Thanksgiving” Pinterest board with over 200 great ideas for all things Thanksgiving?
You might like to Follow me on Pinterest and see all the great things I’m finding to pin every day HERE.
Thanks for the inspiration. I am dusting off my old dough bowl right now!!
I dearly love your dough bowl arrangement with all the fresh vegetables,fruits and herbs it makes for such a nice presentation. Have a grat Fall day.
Oh Yvonne! What a beautiful centerpiece! And so easy! Thank you for this very creative & lovely idea! Awesome !
Just love the idea – am going to use the inspiration with a large cutting board I have since I don’t have a dough bowl. Just trying to figure out how to keep everything in place at the ends. Maybe salad servers?
A cutting board would be perfect!!! Great idea Carol!
What a delicious idea to make a food dough bowl. Yours look so festive.
Do you wash the fruits and vegetables first? They look cleaner than normal! Love the inspiration!
I had to giggle a little, Yvette. No, I did not wash my veggies and would not suggest you do either. Just wipe them down with a damp paper towel if you must.
I did, however, try to choose the prettiest veggies I could find.
Oh Yvonne, as usual, you’ve knocked my socks off! How gorgeous is this?! I recently acquired an antique dough bowl, and I’ve been having fun changing up the contents for the season. Sadly (actually, I have a confession, I’m HAPPY about this!) we are not hosting Thanksgiving in our home this year. Both my husband’s parents and mine have been facing some health challenges, and we just thought it would be easier to go to a restaurant that is offering a Thanksgiving Feast. As much as I love to decorate and entertain, I am relieved to not be cooking this year. We just need a break with all of the “stuff” going on in our lives. I thank you again for your glorious inspiration!
Blessings,
❤Beth
Beth, sorry to hear about your parents’ health issues. Go out and enjoy your day!!! Maybe have dessert around your table when you get home!
What a gorgeous centerpiece bursting with color! Your whole table is beautiful!
Shelley
Stunning!! I keep saying I’m going to get myself a dough bowl and this post has me wanting one more than ever!!
Stunning!
So colorful and beautiful, Yvonne! The way you layered it doesn’t look cluttered at all! Those colors really make it pop. Best of all, after you create it you can cook with it! Blessings!
Hi Yovonne! Your tables are always so beautiful! Do you have any ideas on how to use a candle opera in a tablescape? They are no my favorite but I have a traditional style one with 5 candles, and a modern one with 4 candles. I have never figured out how to use them without them dominating the table. Thanks for some ideas!
Candelabras do command lots of attention… you are so right! You might think about using them on a buffet or sideboard instead of the table. Or how about putting candles in some of the holders and perching little pumpkins on the other. A fun and updated idea! Hope these ideas help you Harriet!
This is a lovely centerpiece, Yvonne, and so easy to replicate. The unshelled nuts in a wooden bowl take me right back to my childhood! Family traditions are such treasures, aren’t they? We must strive to keep them alive for future generations!!!
BTW, did you decide on a Halloween costume???
Yes, family traditions and great memories keep our families alive!
I love it! I have a big dough bowl and I’ll definitely be trying something like this. Thanks.
Lovely centerpiece reminiscent of the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving! Great idea!
So beautiful and fresh. We also had a tradition of mixed nuts in a pretty bowl with, what is now, an antique brass nutcracker. It’s head is an eagle. This brings back a barrage of memories.
So grateful to you for all of your wonderful ideas!! I have incorporated many of your suggestions into our decor and have received so many compliments. My husband is appreciative as well and really likes my “new” touches!!!!
Friends ask if I have painted, have new window treatments, etc. I say no and that I am incorporating more organic items , etc. To me, it’s the simplicity , small vignettes, layering, color combos, nature’s gifts, etc.– so — “THANK YOU!!!
LOVE to hear that you are inspired by StoneGable and it is bringing joy and beauty to your life!!!! You made my day! Thanks for letting me know!
WOW!!!!! I have my mother-in-laws dough bowl I will have to try this it looks so delicious Thank you for showing us this great way to do a Thanksgiving table decor
Love the white china. Can you tell me the brand?
Thank you….LOVE your blog!
I have so many white dishes. Many have come from HomeGoods. But my everyday dishes are Mikasa Italian Countryside. Hope this helps Mary!
I don’t have a dough bowl but I do love them.Yours is a beautiful centerpiece.
I love your Thanksgiving centerpiece! I am so going to get a dough bowl! Beautiful!
Wonderful idea…recycling at its best! Fresh veggies for “after the feast” menus.
Hi Yvonne,
Your arrangement is stunning……I love it and it is so colorful as well.
Thanks for sharing it with us. Hope this finds you doing well hon,
Blessings, Nellie
Beautiful idea. Makes me wished I was hosting a Thanksgiving meal for the family!
Yvonne, I love this idea. Love using things that don’t wind up in the trash can. Especially for our “Thanksgiving” holiday. This is what we’re giving thanks for isn’t it? The abundance of our country as found by our first settlers. Beautiful arrangement !!!
Oh Yvonne how lovely. I am blessed to have my Great-Grandmother’s dough bowl and will surely be filling it up this way.
Thank You for all the wonderful ideas.
Patricia (NC Coast)
Stunning!
I am SO doing this! Thank you for the inspiration. I must say…I love the use of your Pfaltzgraff Heritage pieces in with your other white dishes. I wish I owned more of the originals!
Hugs,
Carol
This centerpiece is just STUNNING!!!
Much as I love the white pumpkin arrangement, I think I like this one for my table this year–especially since I just found my great-grandmother’s 19th century dough bowl. I really like the colorful variety of the fruits and vegetables–and they won’t go to waste: my family loves all of them. Great idea!
Beautiful abundance for a timeless effect Yvonne!
Oh wow this is beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration!
Oh Yvonne! I have made and seen many, many dough bowl centerpieces, but yours is by far, the single most beautiful, lush and extrordinary dough bowl creation I have ever seen! The layers of texture, colors and shapes are dazzling and perfect for a feast of plenty. The scatter around the centerpiece, nuts in bowls and goblets, a single pomegranate – this is a gorgeous piece of art!
Perfect timing, I’ve been looking for dough bowl inspiration. Thank you!
Just beautiful; a modern day cornucopia!
I love all the colors combined together.Beautiful and natural!
Where do you buy your small and large baby boo pumpkins? I’m looking for real baby boo pumpkins.
Hi Janis, I find my at farmstands and our local Amish greenhouses. You might want to call around to grocery stores in your area to see if they have them.
Love this idea!!!
Yvonne, what a GORGEOUS table and a beautiful centerpiece! Now I REALLY want a dough bowl…and those dishes, oh my! So pretty!
I have my grandmothers round dough bowl. Can’t wait to try your idea.
This centerpiece is beautiful, mother natures bounty.
I want to take a plate and grab a bite, thank you always for sharing such practical and beautiful ideas.
Absolutely gorgeous! You are so talented, Yvonne! I’m going to have to try this. What type of greenery did you use to fill in?
I’m not sure what they are but I found them at the grocery store too.
Your dough bowl arrangement is just stunning, Yvonne. After reading through the comments, it seems as though many of us don’t have a dough bowl, and would like to have one. Can you recommend sources that offer really nice reproductions? A real antique one would be hard to find, and pretty pricey, I would imagine. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!
I really like this idea! I’m going to put one together for my table. I’m always looking for something unique. THIS IS IT for this year. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, I’m thrilled you are inspired!
Tis beautiful and colorful indeed and I think I will attempt a similar arrangement…….thank you so much for sharing and inspiring!
I LOVE this minimalist approach to a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Nothing goes to waste, including money on a centerpiece that will be stored the rest of the year. Great idea!
One of my favorites too!
How long and wide is your dough bowl? Also how deep is the bowl?
The centerpiece is lovely.
I’ll give you an estimate. Right now it is packed and I have not unpacked it yet. It’s probably 24 inches long and maybe 6 inches deep. Hope this helps
Love, love this centerpiece!! You have created God’s bountiful bouquet. This is how I would have envisioned the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving table to be! Thanks for sharing your wonderful creativity!!
This edible arrangement was so easy to create too!
Your table is gorgeous and love this idea! Where are your water goblets from and your pretty white plates?
Hi Heidi, I found them both at HomeGoods several years ago. Sorry I do not have a source.
Hi – I love your blog, and your dough bowl centerpiece. But mine is much smaller, only 12 inches long (plus the edges/handles). Any suggestions for that? Thanks!
You can make a beautiful dough bowl. Use only three veggies/fruit and lots of greens!