Ways to Repurpose Your Thanksgiving Flowers

Drying

Hanging flowers upside down is the most common and simplest way to dry them. Tie the flowers together with an elastic band, then hang them upside down from a pole or string, away from light or direct sunlight. The flowers are ready once the leaves or petals crumble easily between your fingers. Remember, dried flowers are delicate, so wrap each bunch in tissue paper and store them in a safe place.

Petal Confetti

Once the flowers have served their purpose, you can turn them into petal confetti by drying the petals. After they’re fully dried, store them in a container, and use them on special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or anniversaries

Composting

From nature back to nature. Flowers can be repurposed through composting. If you have a garden or potted plants, consider composting by breaking the flowers into smaller pieces and mixing them with other organic materials in your compost pile. This enriches the soil and nourishes your plants

Potpourri

After drying the flowers, you can create your own potpourri by combining them with other herbs or a few drops of essential oil. Interestingly, the word ‘potpourri’ comes from the French term pot-pourri, meaning ‘rotten pot,’ yet it’s actually a traditional way to add fragrance to a room.

Framing

Create a beautiful DIY pressed flower frame by pressing flowers between the pages of a book. Simply place the flowers between the pages, wait for them to dry, and once they’re ready, frame them. For best results, use a double glass frame to see the flowers from both sides.

Decorate your Candles

Dry the flowers using the method mentioned above or any other drying technique. Once dry, take a metal spoon and heat the back of it. Place a dried flower onto the outer surface of a pillar candle, then press the heated spoon onto the flower to secure it. After the design is complete, overdip the candle to seal the flowers in place.

Floral Baths / Bath Bombs

Create your own bath bombs at home using dried flowers, citric acid, baking soda, water, and essential oil.

Preservation with Resin

1. Sift baking soda and citric acid together.

2. Add 3 to 4 drops of essential oil.

3. Add water a little at a time, stirring until the mixture begins to clump together.

4. Mix in dried flowers.

5. Let the bath bombs sit out overnight to dry

Preservation with Resin

Preserving flowers in resin is a unique way to keep their colors and shape intact for years. Here’s how to do it:

1. Dry the flowers completely to prevent moisture from affecting the resin.

2. Choose and measure a mold that suits the flowers

3. Mist the mold with a resin mold release to prevent sticking.

4. Arrange the dried flowers in the mold.

5. Prepare and pour the resin according to package instructions, layering if needed to cover the flowers completely.

6. Allow the resin to cure fully, then carefully remove (demold).

Note: Ensure each resin layer is properly cured before demolding to prevent bubbles and damage.

Flower Art

A creative way to repurpose your flower arrangement is by making natural dye for art. Flowers can produce beautiful watercolor pigments from their natural colors. Simply remove the petals from the flower head, place them in a small bowl, pour a little boiling water over them, and mix. Once blended, you’ll have a lovely watercolor made from petals!

Repurpose your Thanksgiving flowers! Flowers are stunning at every stage, and repurposing them not only helps reduce waste but also lets you enjoy their beauty and fragrance for much longer. The Thanksgiving centerpiece or flower arrangement that brightened your table can easily be transformed into something both useful and meaningful. To find the perfect flowers and centerpieces, visit us at FiestaFlowersAZ.com.