As the weather cools, many of us start thinking about entertaining. We want to host memorable evenings, but without stressing or breaking the bank. One of the ways to take hosting to the next level for Thanksgiving (or any other occasion) is with some charming decor — and you don’t have to spend to get it. You can simply upcycle kitchen scraps for something free, eco-friendly, and creative.
This is what one YouTube creator demonstrates by turning egg cartons into the sweetest autumn-themed fox centerpiece that really sets a cottage-core mood for any gathering. All you need for the foundation of this craft is an egg carton, glue and paint, and a base — something rustic like these tree trunk-like Philorn Wood Discs is ideal, but you could easily use an old wooden cutting board or something similar, too. Beyond these essentials, you can decorate to your heart’s content.
To begin, the YouTuber cuts an egg cup out before cutting tiny pieces from the scraps to create a fox face. A couple tiny pieces glued on top of each other, and then onto the center bottom of the cup (turned upside down), forms a snout. The “M”-shaped pieces glued to the sides become tufts of fur and whiskers, and triangular pieces then become ears. The creator then peels layers from the carton’s molded pulp and glues them over the facial features and edges of the head — think of it like sculpting, adding layers of thin paper to soften and smooth lines.
How to assemble and decorate your centerpiece
With the fox head sculpted, the next step is to create the body, which you can do by cutting two more egg cups and gluing them together. This creates a cylinder-like shape that’s wider in the middle. Glue the head onto this two-cup combo before cutting out a tail-shaped piece. Adhere the tail onto the back, and voila — you’ve got a friendly little fox. Once the glue is dry, you can paint the entire carton creature, adding eyes and any details you wish.
When your egg-carton fox is dry and you glue it to the wooden disc or base you’re using, you can create a whole little world for the critter. Grab a good stick from outside or use TKOnline Log-like Craft Sticks along with some Jiesky Faux Autumn Leaves to glue on a woodland tree. Sculpt and paint little mushrooms from clay, or glue on acorns and dried flowers. Leave space for a tea light and you’ll have a truly enchanting centerpiece that guests will adore.
When it comes to finding a home for your creation, place it in the middle of an autumnal dinner spread and flesh out the theme by scattering acorns, artificial leaves, and tea lights down the center of the table. It’s so easy, fun, and affordable to DIY stunning centerpieces with things you already have. You’ll want to make new ones each season.
