Making a Beaded Candle Centerpiece for Your Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving is usually one of the most-anticipated holidays, for adults, anyway. Kids just aren't always that excited about this family get-together, possibly because there isn't much for them to do and they don't feel involved. Well, here's a way for your kid to contribute to the Thanksgiving holiday: Let them make the table centerpiece!

Making a Thanksgiving centerpiece is not difficult. With a little help from an adult, kids can craft decorations that will make your holiday table look beautiful. This Beaded Candle Centerpiece is simple for kids to do, yet looks quite professional when it is finished. This is definitely a craft project of which your children will be proud!

Before you consider this craft for your kids, however, think of safety first. Keep these cautions in mind:

--This craft uses very small objects, which are not suitable for children under the age of 5 because young children may swallow small items. This craft is only recommended for kids ages 5 and older.

--This craft uses candles. Be sure to explain candle safety to your children and do not let them light the candles or work on the craft with the candles lit.

Now, on to the fun! Here's how to make the Beaded Candle Centerpiece:

Supplies needed:

--Four pillar candles in an autumnal color (such as a shade of orange, brown, or deep red); try to have a mixture of various heights

--Glass cake stand or metal tray on which the candles can sit and all fit; or, individual glass pedestals for each candle

--Stretchy bead string

--Scissors

--Metallic gold beads

--Glass beads in autumnal colors

--Masking tape

Directions:

Most of these steps are ones that your kids can do-simply show them what to do and then let them do it. There is only one step that requires adult assistance.

Step 1: Measure around each candle with the stretchy bead string; use the scissors to cut lengths of string about 2 inches longer than what you have measured. Cut 2-4 lengths of string for each candle, depending upon the height of the candle (more lengths of string for taller candles).

Step 2: Take a length of string and tape one end of the string to your work surface. Begin sliding beads onto the string at the untaped end, stringing them however you like. Push the beads all the way down the string until they reach the tape. Keep adding beads to your string until you have filled all except for the last inch or so of the string.

Step 3: Time for some adult assistance. Ask an adult to tie your beaded string so that it fits snugly around the candle. The adult will need to untape your string, hold it around the candle, and tie a tight knot. Depending upon your beads and the type of stretchy string you have, you may need to remove a few beads at this point in order for the string to fit snugly.

Step 4: Take your beaded and tied string and slide it around the candle as if you are putting a bracelet on the candle (which is essentially what you are doing).

Step 5: Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the remaining lengths of string, adding the "bracelets" to all of the candles. It looks nice to put the "bracelets" at varying heights on the candles.

Step 6: Now it is time to arrange the centerpiece. Take your cake stand, metal tray or individual glass pedestals and place in the center of the table. (If you are using the glass pedestals, arrange those how you like). Then, put the candles on top in the way that you think looks best.

That's it-there's your centerpiece! This is such a beautiful one, too-once you light the candles, the flickering flames reflect off of the metallic and glass beads and it just looks so pretty. And, after your Thanksgiving meal is finished, you can use the candles separately as holiday decorations elsewhere in your home. Or, if you had any girls help out with the craft, you can let them have some of the candle "bracelets" to wear as real bracelets.

Allowing your kids to craft a centerpiece for the dinner table will give them such a sense of pride and it will help them to remember that they are important to this holiday. Give it a try this year-you will be glad you did!