How to make them yourself

front door wreath

Apples look wonderful when used in a homemade wreath – just wipe the apples clean with a damp cloth and polish up with lint-free cloth. Take a metal wreath-making hoop (ours measured 25cm in diameter) and cut a length of mediumgauge wire to about 20cm longer than the circumference of the hoop. Push the apples into the wire and shape into a circle of a similar circumference to the hoop. Twist the ends of the wire around the hoop to secure. Add lengths of ivy by attaching long stems around the hoop with fine-gauge florist’s wire, then attach apple leaves and berries for additional interest by twisting fine-gauge wire around individual stems before winding around the wreath between the apples. Finally, add a hessian ribbon bow at the top for a simple finishing touch. Metal ring hoop (25cm), £1.50, The

Little Crafty Bugs Company. Ribbon, for similar try Oaktree UK on Ebay. Mediumand fine-gauge wire, available from garden centres or DIY stores.

Place setting

Make pretty miniature vases out of apples to display place-name cards for guests. Start by using a metal fruit corer to create a small hole in the top of each apple – position the corer above the stem area and gently carve out the centre to create a circular hole. Take a small brush and wipe around the inside with a little lemon juice to avoid the flesh going brown. Push in a small piece of aluminium foil to line the hole (be sure to avoid making any holes in the foil), pressing it into the sides before trimming in line with the top of the apple. Fill with a little water, then arrange flowers and berries inside. Finally, add a stamped place-name card held on finegauge wire twisted into a circle using pliers. Alphabet stamps, £10 for 64; ink pad,

£1; brown card, from a selection, all Hobbycraft. Fine-gauge wire, from garden centres or DIY stores. Crochet

pot holder, £7; crochet dishcloth, col Autumn Glaze, £10 for 2, Danica at Magpie. Linen, £29.95 m, Annie Sloan.

table arrangement

Let seasonal fruit take centre stage on an outdoor table with a beautiful display that also incorporates flowers and berried foliage. Begin by washing the apples you are going to use with warm soapy water, rinse, then place them in a large glass vase. Fill the vase with cold water to the desired level before carefully adding in a selection of flowers and foliage. The aim is to create an abundant seasonal display so include a colourful mix of fruit, flowers and berries. Remember to use firm stems as these will hold their shape better and last longer. Top up and refresh with water as necessary to extend the life of the display.

Begärlig vase, £14, Ikea. Small gold sparklers, £2.50 for 10, Talking Tables. Linen, £29.95 m, Annie Sloan. Kraft paper bags, from a selection, Sainsbury’s. Crochet pot holder, £7; crochet coaster, £10 for 4, Danica at Magpie. Green Jam Jar mugs, similar from Collectables. Large milk bottle and board, stylist’s own.

Candle holders

Perfectly proportioned for tealights, these seasonal candle holders are easily made by carving out the top of an apple. To make your candle holder, first place a tealight on top of the apple and draw around it. Remove the apple and carefully score around the circle shape with a craft knife, then press down and follow this cut line around to slice into the apple. Carve and remove the apple pulp with a corer or small spoon until the depth of the tealight is reached. Take a small brush and wipe around the inside of the cut area with a little lemon juice to prevent the apple from going brown and then push the tealight into the hole until the sides are completely concealed. Ensure that the base of the apple is stable before lighting the tealight. Recycled glass vase, £18.45 for 3, All Things Brighton Beautiful at notonthehighstreet.com. Tealights, similar from Ikea.