Broccoli Tree Craft

Broccoli Pine Tree

• This craft can double as an activity for the kids and as an elegant centerpiece. Of course, if you intend to make a centerpiece, you may not want the kids to help.

  The craft starts with a floral foam cone shape. To avoid getting foam on the broccoli, leave the plastic intact, but clean it with mild dish soap. Set the tree in the middle of a serving tray and attach broccoli florets to it with toothpicks. Start at the very tip with a single floret and work your way down toward the base. Try surrounding the base with other kinds of veggies and small dip containers.

Forest and the Trees

• Get your kids to eat their vegetables with make-believe. Broccoli plays the part of tree foliage while carrots and cherry tomatoes form the trunks. Toothpicks attach carrot sticks and small, firm tomatoes to the florets. Wheat or spinach tortillas make up the forest floor, while vegetable dip keeps all of your little trees upright. You can also make a cold veggie pizza this way. Just make sure everyone disassembles his trees before chowing down.

Enchanted Forest Buffet

• Whether you're throwing a fantasy birthday party or need a creative buffet for an elegant wedding, an enchanted forest made of edible goods is sure to be a hit. Broccoli trees made of Styrofoam balls and cones stuck onto clean tree branches can sit in large, textured flower pots full of "dirt" made from brownie pieces, chocolate cookie crumbs and chocolate pudding. Intersperse the broccoli trees with fruit trees made from strawberries and kumquats. Stud the "dirt" with miniature cupcakes iced to look like toadstools. Add mini trees of broccoli florets seated in tiny, decorative cups of vegetable dip.

Christmas Tree Village

• This craft takes a Christmas party spread to an entirely new level. A Christmas tree made from a foam cone and broccoli sits in the background with a piece of starfruit as the topper. Cranberry garland winds its way around the tree while sour cream dip acts as snow right below the tree. Individual broccoli florets stud the snow as tiny pine trees. Carrots, raisins and toothpicks create the people. These carrot people may be sitting in bell pepper sleighs drawn by carrot horses or skiing on bell pepper skis. A little edible glitter sprinkled over the scene gives it a festive final touch.