Without having to totally stock up on all new elaborate or
pre-made pieces from a craft or décor store, you can have a wow-worthy
centerpiece for your Christmas dining table with some simple elements that come
together in an instant centerpiece.
Starting with a collection of glass vases, both square and
cylinder and of varying heights, is a great concept starter. They work for any holiday or season, you
build your inventory over time, and new decorations inside give the same bases
a whole new look again and again. You
can arrange a neat line or a staggered pattern of glass vases down the center
of the table. If you’ll be using
chargers or placemats, arrange these first, which will give you a perimeter to
work within for decorating the middle of the table.
Fitting Christmas fillers include pinecones, which can even
be purchased by the inexpensive lot online from landowners up north. You can gather spindly branches outdoors or
bundle together groupings from the craft store and use them to fill vases to
various heights. Empty boxes of candy
canes into vases for a tasty treat and a classic red and white pattern down
your table’s center. Use loose ornaments
not added to the tree in stacks for a colorful, shiny display.
Instead of a garland running down the center, cut or pull
apart the individual stems from a faux garland and use them as vase
filler. If you’re quite the baker, mix
seasonal cookie cutters, spatulas, and whisks in vases for a blend of metal and
wood with pops of color. As the holiday
cards roll in, fit the best photos and designs to the inside of cylinder vases
and add a battery operated candle to each center for a lighted display over
dinner. The same concept can be repeated
with strips of wrapping paper and gift wrap ribbon. Take some of those small boxes you keep just
in case and wrap them up like Christmas gifts.
Ring, watch, pen, and other jewelry boxes make great sizes to stack and
stagger.
For a more perishable, shorter-term, but oh-so-cute vase
filler, use gum drops to fill short vases or add a layer as a base for a pillar
candle in taller vases. For a holiday
party or dinner, turn your centerpiece into your appetizer or dessert display,
filling vases and trays with sweet treat mixes that use cereal, chocolate bark
pieces with nuts or pretzel bits mixed in, fudge squares, Christmas cookies,
gingerbread men, or individually wrapped popcorn balls.
Quick and easy elements can come together to keep your table
in style this Christmas season with creative touches and instant charm.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 7th.
