4 simple yet attractive fall decor ideas using apples

Fall is among the most festive times of year. It's also when apples are at their freshest and most plentiful. If you've recently gone apple picking or have tons of apples at home then here are four simple-to-do, yet attractive, ideas for decorating your home with them.

Fall is among the most festive times of year. It's also a harvest season, which means there are tons of delicious fruits and vegetables available. One of the best fruits for fall is the apple, which grows abundantly in orchards during the autumn. If you've recently gone apple picking or have tons of apples at home, you can use them to decorate your home. Here are four simply, but attractive, ideas.

You can use apples to create beautiful and colourful candle holders to light your table or home.

How-to instructions
To turn an apple into a candle holder, you'll need a sharp knife and some votive candles or tea lights.

1. Use the knife to carefully remove one to two inches of core from the apple's centre.
2. Gently place the tea lights or votives in the hole.
3. If the hole is too big and the candles drop through the hole, use aluminium foil to fill the gap around the sides.

Apples as cups? Yes, apples can be converted into tableware by making them into cups.

How-to instructions
To make an apple cup, you'll need a fresh apple (obviously), sharp knife, spoon and some lemon juice.

1. Slice off the top of the apple to make it flat.
2. Use the knife to remove most of the apple's interior, leaving about one centimetre (about 1/2 inch) of apple flesh around the outside.
3. You can also use a spoon to scoop out the flesh to help ensure you don't pierce the skin.
4. Brush some lemon juice over the inside of the apple so it doesn't turn brown when exposed to air.
5. Set the table with these cups.

Apple cups are great fun for apple cider, apple juice or even delicious flavoured cocktails!

An apple as a place card is a creative and fun way to celebrate the seaosn.

How-to instructions
For this project, pick apples that still have their stems. You'll also need twine and cards with your guests' names on them.

1. Punch a hole in the name cards, which makes tying them to the apple easier.
2. Loop the twine through the hole in the name card, then secure it to the apple's stem.
3. Leave the apples as-is for an edible treat the guests can enjoy.

You could also decorate the apples with gold flecks or paint to add to the autumnal theme. Similarly, you can add colour and glitter to the name cards.

Ensure the materials you use to decorate either the card or apple are certified non-toxic!

It doesn't get any more environmentally friendly than using an apple as a vase!

How-to instructions
You'll need a sharp knife, large apple, melon baller, fresh short-stemmed flowers and some water.

1. Use a knife to cut a "lid" around the stem of the apple, then pry the top out.
2. Use a melon baller to gently remove the core from inside the apple and create room for flowers.
3. Be careful not to remove too much of the apple's flesh. Otherwise, the hole may be too big to keep flowers upright.
4. Add water inside the hollowed out apple.
5. Carefully place several short-stemmed flowers inside, hopefully fresh from your garden!

Although these vases should only be used for one event, since the apple will begin to decompose after a day, you can always compost them afterwards so nothing goes to waste. Apple vases add a seasonal pop of colour to practically any table.