At any party or family gathering, the table itself is the center of attention. It is where everybody comes together to eat, drink and be merry. So, rather than just have a pretty centerpiece on the table, why not make the table the centerpiece itself?
The possibilities for Christmas decorations are endless. Even if a piece of decor is not meant for the table, that does not mean that it cannot be used there.
Here are some fun and easy do-it-yourself ideas for a fabulous Christmas centerpiece.
Decorate the glasses
Whether they are full of sparkling cider, eggnog or a Christmas wine, the glasses at the table are an easy decorating target. Grab a small ornament or a bell and wrap it around the stem of the glass and, at the bottom, include a fresh sprig of holly or a small flower.
Spruce up the chandelier
It does not have to be a fancy, expensive light fixture to look fancy and expensive. Add some fresh greenery to the chandelier that is already above the table and some red bows to give it a Christmas feel. Want more? Add some tinsel that hangs from the bottom for a cascading holiday vibe.
No chandelier? No problem. For a cost-effective alternative, use generic party decorations in festive colors. Hang anything from paper snowflakes to red and green paper honeycomb decorations from the ceiling and voila — instant holiday chandelier.
Posh place settings
Place settings are some of the easiest to DIY. For the utensils, snuggle them up in tiny stockings that can be purchased at the dollar store or almost any drug store.
Add some color by using solid-colored napkins and tie them up with a little ribbon of another color. Grab some inexpensive ornaments, write the guests’ names on them with a marker and set them on their corresponding plate.
For contrast, use a placemat with a festive but simple design on it. It will make the plates “pop.”
Eye-catching centerpieces
Because to be totally honest — centerpieces, especially at a party with a big group of people — can take up way too much space on an already crowded table. So why not use multiple, smaller centerpieces?
Grab some mason jars, tie a ribbon around them that matches the plate settings and fill them with water. Use a floating candle on top and place a set of three of them throughout the table.
Love candleholders but do not want to light candles? Grab some taper candle holders and place a pretty ornament on top instead of a candle.
Speaking of mason jars, fill them with salt or sparkly fake snow and add a little Santa figurine or a small tree inside each one. It is an easy, fun way to fancy up the table.
The length of the table
A runner is always a simple, affordable option for decorating the entire length of the table.
For those who want something a bit more festive, a long piece of garland that separates the table in two is always a wonderful option. It is easy to decorate with ornaments, bows, fake berries or just to leave it by itself.
By Jen Clark