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How to Make Pineapple & Floral Centerpieces

It's time for spring and summer parties, luncheons and baby and bridal showers. You'll want the perfect centerpieces for your tables. Why not make them yourself out of pineapple and other fruit, with a scattering of real flowers? You'll save money and get lots of points for originality.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 large pineapple 50 red grapes 2 quarts strawberries 1 cantaloupe 6 white tulips or daisies 25 skewers Basket or Pail Florist wire Flower-shaped cutter Play dough or floral foam Melon baller Knife
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Instructions

  1. How to Make A Pineapple-Floral Centerpiece

    • 1

      Place play dough in bottom of the pail or basket you're using. Shape the dough so it is at least a half-inch lower than the rim. You can paint the pail to complement the kind of event you're having--rattles and baby shoes for a baby shower, bells for a wedding shower, white dots on lime green for a garden party. Alternately, you can use a low vase.

    • 2

      Cut pineapple into half-inch thick slices with knife. Don't worry about the outer covering. Use the flower cutter to cut each slice into a flower shape.

    • 3

      Make cantaloupe balls with the melon baller. Cut each ball in half.

    • 4

      Push a skewer through the center of each pineapple flower and place a half melon ball, flat side down, on the tip of the skewer and push down without pushing the tip through.

    • 5

      Arrange the skewered pineapple flowers in different spots in the play dough so they are of varying heights. You can use kitchen scissors to cut some of the skewers down in length.

    • 6

      Push five or six grapes on one skewer, one on top of the other, and do several more skewers the same way. Arrange those in the dough.

    • 7

      Skewer strawberries, melon balls or wedges and any other fruit you wish on separate skewers and arrange those in the play dough in the pail or basket.

    • 8

      Add the real flowers to your centerpiece. You can place a half dozen white tulips, roses or daisies throughout your centerpiece. Insert a piece of florist wire inside each stem up to the blossom to stiffen it, and then scatter the flowers throughout your centerpiece. Do this as the very last step so the flowers will be fresh.

    • 9

      Rearrange your flowers and fruit skewers to achieve balance. Then refrigerate your pineapple-floral centerpiece until right before your party.