There's no question about it: Thanksgiving Day is turkey day! A turkey with all the trimmings gets center stage at our house, but this year I've decided to put a little color into the production. So while the bird is in the oven, add to the celebration of the day by having your kids create a turkey centerpiece that begins with a simple bouquet of flowers. They can make this entire eye-catching floral display from start to finish. Here are the basics:

For the turkey body, you will need about two dozen flowers in various fall colors such as red, gold, yellow and orange. Good choices are mums, marigolds or fall daisies. For the neck and head of the turkey, choose a yellow or orange iris or bird of paradise. For the tail, ferns and long, large leaves from most house or garden plants are ideal.Soak a 4-by-4-inch floral foam oasis in a pan of water. When the foam is saturated, set it in a plastic container that is about the same size. Create the body of the turkey by trimming the stems of the flowers and poking them into the foam to form a dome shape. Add the iris or bird of paradise to one end for the head and the leaves to the opposite end for the tail. Make the turkey's wattle by knotting together two red balloons (do not inflate them) and secure them to the stem of the iris or bird of paradise with floral wire or a straight pin.

Donna Erickson is the author of "Donna's Day: Fun Activities that Bring the Family Together" (HarperCollins), available in bookstores nationwide. Watch Donna's Day with Donna Erickson on the Odyssey Channel, a Henson and Hallmark Network. (C) Donna Erickson. Dist. by King Features Syndicate

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.