25 Affordable DIY Christmas Centerpieces to Elevate Your Holiday Table

25 Affordable DIY Christmas Centerpieces








  1. Fill the Jars: Begin by filling the bottom of each mason jar with faux snow. About an inch or two should be enough, depending on the size of your jar.
  2. Add the Lights: Next, nestle a battery-operated tea light into the center of the snow. These lights mimic the flicker of real candles and are safer, especially around festive fabrics and children.
  3. Seal the Jar: If you’re planning to display these outdoors or want to keep the faux snow securely in place, lightly screw the jar’s lid back on.
  1. Tabletop Glow: Arrange several luminaries in the middle of your dining table. This simple setup not only looks great but also gives off a soft light that enhances the atmosphere without being too bright.
  2. Window Display: Set your jars on a windowsill. When placed against a frosty window, the light from the jars creates a beautiful, winter-like scene that’s perfect for the holiday season.
  3. Mantle Display: Line up your jars on the fireplace mantle. The mix of the fireplace’s natural light and the jars’ soft glow adds a cozy element to your room.
  4. Welcoming Path: Light the way for your guests by placing jars along the path to your front door or through your garden. This not only helps light the way but also makes your home feel inviting.




  1. Collect Natural Elements Begin by picking up pine cones, acorns, and twigs from your garden or a nearby park. These items aren’t only free but using them supports sustainable practices by utilizing fallen natural materials.
  2. Add Woodland Figures Include small animal figurines such as deer, squirrels, or birds to your arrangement. Placing these figures among your natural elements creates a lively and engaging woodland scene. You can find these at local craft stores or online retailers.
  3. Build a Mini Forest Floor Use a sturdy piece of wood or bark to serve as the base. Arrange your collected items and figurines on this base to mimic the look of a forest ground.
  4. Incorporate Greenery and Lighting Weave in some fresh ivy or spruce branches to bring color and life to your display. Adding a string of LED fairy lights will give your centerpiece a cozy, twinkling effect, especially beautiful in dim lighting.






  1. Choose the Right Color: Opt for a poinsettia that complements your holiday decor. Whether it’s the classic deep red, an elegant white, or even a unique marbled pattern, selecting the right color can significantly enhance your setting.
  2. Check Leaf Health: Look for plants with lush, dark green leaves, which indicate a healthy plant. Healthy leaves should reach all the way to the soil, showing that the plant has been well cared for.
  3. Assess Bract Quality: The bracts—often mistaken for petals—should be vibrant and full. Steer clear of any plant with dull or damaged bracts as they can diminish the visual appeal of your centerpiece.
  4. Soil Moisture Balance: It’s important to feel the soil; it should be moist but not waterlogged. A proper moisture balance is crucial to maintain the plant’s health over time.




  1. Real vs. Artificial: Decide if you prefer a live tree, which adds a natural scent and can be planted after the holidays, or an artificial tree, which is convenient to reuse and easy to maintain.
  2. Size and Scale: Make sure the tree is the right size for your table. A height of 18 to 24 inches is usually perfect, ensuring it complements rather than dominates your space.
  3. Tree Type: Look into different types of mini trees like spruce, fir, or pine. Each has distinctive features like needle shape and color that contribute uniquely to your décor.
  4. Decorating Capabilities: Consider how well different trees will support your decorations. Trees with stronger branches are great for hanging heavier ornaments, while those with softer needles are ideal for a simpler look with just lights and tinsel.
  1. Center Stage: Position your mini tree in the middle of the table to ensure it captures everyone’s attention. This placement works best for round or square tables, allowing all guests to enjoy the tree from every angle.
  2. Consider Table Size: On larger tables, a single mini tree may seem out of place. To maintain balance, accompany it with smaller items like tealight candles or a garland that complements the tree’s theme. This approach helps to unify the table’s appearance.
  3. Coordinate Colors: Align your tree’s decorations with your table settings. If your tree features silver ornaments, for instance, introduce silver utensils or napkin rings to create a cohesive look. This not only pleases the eye but also gives a sense of harmony.
  4. Keep It Practical: Ensure the tree is positioned so it doesn’t block anyone’s view or disrupt the passing of dishes. Opt for a tree that’s more vertical than horizontal, which aids in maintaining clear sightlines and smooth conversation flow.




  1. Add Pine Cones and Berries: Tuck some frosted pine cones and bright red berries into your evergreen branches. Pine cones offer a rustic touch, while the red berries bring a dash of color. This combination captures the winter feel perfectly and makes your centerpiece stand out.
  2. Choose Festive Napkin Rings: Pair your centerpiece with complementary napkin rings. Opt for designs that feature miniature wreaths or sparkly elements that reflect the light beautifully. This small detail can make a big difference in tying your table settings together with the centerpiece.
  3. Place Candles Strategically: Adding candles can dramatically enhance the ambiance of your dining area. Arrange a mix of tall taper candles and shorter pillar candles either in the middle or around your centerpiece. The flickering candlelight not only adds warmth but also makes your evening gatherings more inviting.
  4. Decorate with a Garland: For an extra touch of sparkle, loop a slender, glittery garland around your centerpiece. This not only brightens the centerpiece but also helps unite the décor on your table, creating a seamless theme across your setup.




  1. Choose Your Fruits Wisely: Pick vibrant, seasonal fruits like pomegranates, kiwis, and persimmons. These not only bring a splash of color to your table but are also packed with nutrients.
  2. Select a Variety of Nuts: Include different types of nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans. To make it festive, try tossing them in a light honey-cinnamon mix for a sweet and spicy twist.
  3. Design Your Tray: Use a large, attractive tray as your canvas. Arrange the fruits and nuts in an organized yet artistic manner, which could be by grouping them or creating patterns.
  4. Add Holiday Touches: Place small sprigs of holly or mistletoe around the tray to weave in the holiday spirit, making your arrangement not just beautiful but also thematic.




  1. Select the Ideal Light Color: Warm white string lights are highly recommended. They provide a soft, golden light that highlights the intricate details of your paper stars without being too harsh.
  2. Arrange Lights Strategically: Distribute the lights at various levels throughout your display. Intertwine them among the stars and around the base to add dimension and intrigue.
  3. Adjust Brightness: Opt for string lights that come with a dimmer. This feature allows you to modify the light intensity based on the time of day or the ambiance you wish to create.
  4. Consider Power Options: Choose battery-operated string lights for table centerpieces to avoid the hassle of cords. This choice also offers more freedom in terms of where you can place your display.






  1. Velvet Ribbons: Start by wrapping a vibrant red velvet ribbon around the base of your centerpiece. This adds a luxurious texture and deep color, enhancing the overall look of your table.
  2. Cranberry Garlands: Create a lively red garland using fresh or faux cranberries. This not only brings a pop of natural color to your table but also complements darker shades beautifully.
  3. Red Taper Candles: Incorporate tall red taper candles in your centerpiece. They help draw the eye upward and add an elegant touch to your table setup.
  4. Poinsettia Petals: For a dramatic effect, scatter bright red poinsettia petals around your centerpiece. The vivid color and unique shape of these petals make a visually appealing addition.
  1. Combine Velvet and Silk Ribbons: Wrap your centerpiece with red velvet and gold silk ribbons. The velvet’s rich texture pairs well with the smooth, reflective silk, creating a visually appealing contrast that catches the light.
  2. Use Both Metallic and Matte Ornaments: Decorate with both shiny gold and matte red baubles. This mix not only adds variety to your decorations but also introduces different textures that enhance the overall look of your display.
  3. Add Fairy Lights: String some warm LED fairy lights throughout your centerpiece. These small lights bring a cozy, twinkling glow that becomes especially enchanting in the evening.
  4. Incorporate Natural Elements: Add items like pine cones and red berries to your setup. For an extra touch of glam, spray some of the pine cones with gold paint. This not only brings out a festive flair but also integrates the beauty of nature into your decor.




  1. Collect Your Materials: For this project, you’ll need a clear glass vase, peppermint sticks, red and white ribbon, a hot glue gun, and a string of fairy lights.
  2. Construct the Base: First, use the hot glue gun to attach the peppermint sticks vertically around the outside of the vase. Make sure they’re evenly spaced and stand upright.
  • Install Lighting: Next, put the fairy lights inside the vase. Arrange them so that the light spreads evenly through the peppermint sticks, creating a beautiful glow.
  • Add Final Touches: Top the vase with either faux snow or clear glass marbles. This not only keeps the peppermint sticks securely in place but also amplifies the twinkling effect as the lights reflect off the marbles or snow.




  1. Select Your Ribbons: Choose several ribbons that reflect the holiday season. Look for different textures like satin, grosgrain, and shiny metallics to give your weave variety and visual appeal.
  2. Prepare the Ribbons: Cut each piece of ribbon to be double the length of the final centerpiece. This ensures you have enough ribbon for weaving and making adjustments.
  3. Begin Weaving: Place half of your ribbons vertically on a clean, flat surface. Weave the other half horizontally, alternating over and under to achieve a basket weave pattern. Pull each weave tight to ensure the structure is compact.
  4. Finalize and Display: After completing the weave, use a small amount of glue or discreet stitches at the ends to hold everything in place. You can place a clear glass plate over your ribbon weave to protect and enhance it, or use it as a decorative table runner.