Squash Lantern Candle Centerpiece

Looking for innovative, easy and fun ways to add some natural interest and light to your holiday centerpiece? This tea lite lantern, made from a carved out squash is a lovely, easy project.

This fall, there were so many wonderful types of squashes at my local market, that I bought several to use as decorations around the house. However, for a dinner party, I made them into candle lanterns for the table setting. (This project was inspired by Gloria Nicol's Complete Book of Candles and Candle Making

For this project, you'll need:

• A medium-sized squash - I used golden and green acorn squashes
• A large awl or drill with drill bit - I used my drill and a 7/16" spade bit. (A large standard screwdriver would work too - though not quite as neatly as a drill bit.)
• A sharp knife and spoon to cut open the squash and scoop out the seeds.
• A fire safe plate and a tea lite

Step One - Using a crayon or Sharpie marker, draw a rectangle on the bottom of the squash where you want to cut the opening. I found that it works best to carve out two ridges of the squash. It seems to sit best this way.

Step Two - Cut out the hole and scoop out the seeds, making sure that all of the seeds and stringy bits are scooped out.

Step Three - Using your drill or awl, drill holes along the crevices between the ridges, spacing the holes about 3/4" apart. Drill the holes in all of the crevices. (See the pictures above.)

Step Four - Place the squash lantern on a fire safe plate with a tea lite on it.

Step Five - After you're done using it as a table setting, cut out the area that is likely to be burned/scorched above the candle, and cook the rest!

Happy Thanksgiving.