Branches of golden persimmons make a bold statement in a simple pitcher, while gerbera daisies echo the color of the fruit.

Yes, you do have time to fuss with flowers, because these are fast and easy. Sure, your mind is focused on cooking the perfect turkey, having clean towels in the bathroom, and not making burned rolls a family tradition. But whoever heard of a feast without flowers? Don't fret. Arranging blooms is easier than you think.

Pick Your Spot
By the time you get all the food on the table, there's often little room for flowers. Instead, select another prominent spot to adorn. A foyer table or sideboard is perfect. Note the style of the furniture. Is it rustic, formal, or ethnic? Keep scale in mind too. Large, open areas call for big arrangements. If there is already a lot going on or space is tight, go small, and choose simple flowers.

Select Your Container
Believe it or not, what you put your flowers in is just as important as which blooms you use. Draw from cherished family pieces first. Grandmother's iced tea pitcher or the ceramic container made by Uncle Bob will work well. Don't discount items that don't hold water, such as sweetgrass baskets, fabric-covered boxes, or even hollowed-out gourds and pumpkins, which can be used to disguise mayonnaise jars or cut-down milk jugs.

Hunt and Gather
A quick step outside will reveal a wealth of materials just waiting to make their debuts. Just open your eyes. "This is your opportunity to capture the feel of the season," says Frances Parker, a garden designer in Beaufort, South Carolina. "Go with your gut feeling of what looks good, and you won't go wrong."

First, look for materials that will create the core of the arrangement. Good choices include fruit tree branches, ornamental grasses, or showy foliage such as coleus that may soon be spoiled by pending frosts. Place these items into the water-filled container.

Next, look for a secondary texture. Mums, grass plumes, or seedpods are perfect. Southern classics such as nandina and chinaberry may be in your own backyard. Simply add these to the container. When arranging branches, such as persimmons, you may not need secondary texture. The attached fruit will do the trick.