If you are looking for a unique way to impress your family and friends this season, try carving a butternut squash into a bewitching harvest-style centerpiece. It makes a great addition to any autumn table.
You'll need flowers such as Asiatic lilies, seeded eucalyptus, hypericum, celosia, and if available, solidago. Select any size butternut squash that stands up nice and straight and cut off the squash about an inch from the top. Scoop out pulp, seeds, and flesh of the squash, leaving 1-inch thickness of flesh next to squash skin.

Next, stuff water-soaked floral foam, available from most craft stores, into the squash cavity. Cut and insert a lily in the foam for a focal point. Cut and insert the other lilies. Cut all flowers into sprigs and insert into foam to fill gaps. Before you cut the flowers, hold them near the squash to determine the height and be sure to give each stem a fresh cut on an angle. It's a truly one of a kind arrangement.

Pumpkin carving is one of the best-loved fall traditions and if you think your carving is a cut above the rest, enter the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Frights & Flowers pumpkin carving contest powered by Shutterfly, the leading independent online photo service. All you have to do is submit a photo of the carved pumpkin to Shuttefly (www.shutterfly.com) for a chance to win gifts, including a Year of Flowers, from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. Contest runs through November 7.