Tips for thanksgiving decorating

Don't know what decorations to use for your Thanksgiving table?

Some experts in Willows and Orland have tips on what local hosts are doing this season.

Willow Walk Florist is doing fall centerpieces made with candles, fresh greens and flowers along with dried materials like cat tails and wheat, Toni Foley said.

Foley said the season is busy as her shop moves into Christmas as Thanksgiving ends.

The shop window is decorated in hues of orange, yellow, gold and rust with floral arrangements and scarecrows reflecting the fall.

Willow Walk also uses eucalyptus pods and other dry items in its arrangements, she said, based on customer needs.

Candles in the centerpieces are popular as well, she said.

At Gathering Better Junque, co-owner Dolores Amaro said Thursday said black napkins with pumpkins on them are in vogue this year.

Her story had plenty of black furniture and objects still being used to decorate homes in autumn, Amaro said.

The store also had framed signs with slogans like "Come Gather and Give Thanks" and a framed print with turkeys in it.

Some vintage turkey figurines made in Japan also were on display Thursday at the store on Sycamore Street.

Its sister store The Gathering Marketplace is selling similar wares along with candles since both stores carry antiques and old style reproduction gift items.

Berry Babes Farm Goods also had a few Thanksgiving items on display this week in Willows such as turkey salt and pepper shakers and plates but not a lot.

Orland's Garnet Hill gift store is selling table runners, napkins, plates, turkey figures and floral garlands and wreaths, owner Lynn Fortner said.

Popular hostess gifts include turkey boards and serving platters, she added.

Her floral shop also is doing plenty of Thanksgiving centerpieces in fall colors like brown, burgundy, orange and rust - what she calls "rich tones."

Her daughter, Brooke Drake, said mum plants are popular this time of year in the fall reds, browns, yellows and golds.

Pumpkins are added to the arrangements along with wheat pieces, Drake said.

Corn in the centerpieces also is being used, Drake added, which are "kinda cool."

Prices range from $5 on up, Fortner said.

Across the street, Shakey Shingle Antiques is just about out of Thanksgiving items.

Owner Paul Briggs said there were a couple of reproduction turkey flags left along with some pilgrim figures and a turkey or two.

He said he and his wife, Sandie, used to decorate big for Thanksgiving years ago, but that is no longer the case.

Halloween decorations are more popular these days along with general fall items, Briggs said.

As a result, many people leave their pumpkins and gourds up along with fall flowers after taking the Halloween figures down.

This serves as the Thanksgiving decor, he said, after a turkey is thrown into it.

The Glenn County Senior Thrift Store next door did not have any Thanksgiving items up Thursday. Instead, it was decorated with Christmas goods.

Indeed, stores everywhere are decorating for Christmas already since the Friday after Thanksgiving begins the Xmas season.