noun

a symbol of plenty consisting of a goat's horn overflowing with flowers, fruit, and corn.

• an ornamental container shaped like a goat's horn.
  
• an abundant supply of good things of a specified kind."the festival offers a cornucopia of pleasures”

• Oxford Dictionary

Many of us use a cornucopia to decorate for fall or adorn our Thanksgiving table. You may have made one out of construction paper when you were a child in grade school. And many of us have a smattering of an idea of the history of the cornucopia. But why has this classic stood the test of time for our autumn décor?

The word Cornucopia is from the latin “Cornu” which means “horn”, and “Copia” which means “abundance”. In English, it is also sometimes referred to as the “Horn of Plenty”. Historically, farmers in Asia and Europe used a horn shaped basket that could be worn around across their body to carry their harvest of fruits, grains and vegetables. Today, many decorative cornucopias are still filled with fruits & vegetables, gourds and nuts.

It’s amazing to think that a simple basket, used for an every day task, is now representative of the blessings and bounties we are privy to in the “New World.” So when you decorate this year for fall, or weigh your options for a Thanksgiving centerpiece, consider making your own cornucopia and give thanks for all that is good in your life!