I think I've mentioned before that we're pretty informal folks at my house. I mean, I have 3 young girls. If we make it through a meal without toots or interpretive dance, I count it as a win. We rarely break out the breakable dishes, and I rarely set the table without food already on the plates.

But when it comes to the fall and winter holidays, I do try to make a centerpiece for the table. Usually, we make one or two new items, and then reuse items we already have in the house. Sometimes, we use natural elements. This past Friday, one of my sweet twins greeted me at the door with a bouquet of orange maple leaves, and I knew we had found our natural element, and now all I had to do was pull it all together.

In 2012, I used some retro goblets and upcycled some votive to glittery masterpieces.


In 2013, I made a table runner with my eldest daughter.



What did I do this year? I used the new verdigris pumpkins and the new wooden cake stand.



I added  pumpkins from clearance at Target and Michaels from years past.



I used those leaves my daughter gave me. The lantern can be found at Ikea, and the felt acorns are from etsy. And the silver acorns I gilded myself.


It's simple, and mostly unbreakable--perfect for my little family!