Decorating with Cranberries

Cranberries are wonderful, inexpensive little fruits that can be used to liven up holiday entertaining & decorating. This time of year, cranberries are most often used to garnish beverages. Here are a few different ideas for using cranberries…   

A dramatic table centerpiece (top left photo): Using half toothpicks, skewer fresh cranberries to various sizes of foam balls, available at local crafts stores. Cover the foam completely with berries. Rest the balls on top of shapely glass, silver, or mercury glass candlesticks to create statuesque topiaries.

A fabulous mantle (top right photo): Fill glass vases with cranberries and candles.

A joyful forest (bottom left photo): Use pearl-head pins to attach cranberries to a foam cone. Start at the top and then spiral the fruits around the cone down to the base.

A floating candle display (bottom right photo): Make an amazing candle display with cranberries and water. Place a silk rose bud in the bottom of a vase (place small weights inside the bloom) and then slowly fill the vessel halfway with water. Gently place a handful of cranberries on top of the water and then add a floating votive to the center.

You can also create a cranberry garland: String fresh cranberries into a simple garland using a needle and monofilament line. You can string only cranberries or intersperse popcorn or wooden beads in between to bring a variation of texture. Hang them on your mantle, around a metal chandelier, or on your Christmas tree.

Here are some ideas for entertaining with cranberries:

Festive silverware: Place your silverware on a red napkin, bind with green ribbon, and decorate with cranberries, leaves, and mini pine cones.

Place Cards - Sprinkle cranberries into votive candle holders. Cut out paper circles and write each guest's name on a circle. Trim paper circles with red and add one to each votive for a creative place marker.

Ice chips – Freeze cranberries with just enough water to cover them. When water is completely frozen, remove from tray, break into pieces, and add to your ice bucket.

all sources from BHG