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Some ideas for holiday centerpieces to accent your dinner table, the mantle, a coffee table, book shelf or any spot that you'd like a focal point. |
Decorating for the Holidays CENTERPIECES |
This page was last updated on: 28 December, 2005
Also in the future Sparkling Runner - Table runner with glued on glittery stuff Candles |
Santa's helper has finally gotten around to this page. It's up and running but there's more to come - so do come back. |
General things to consider when making a centerpiece for the dinner table. Height: When a centerpiece will remain on a dining table during the meal, you want to be sure it's not too tall. Everyone should be able to see each other easily and yet enjoy the centerpiece too. Color: If your whole house has a central holiday color scheme, this is an easy one. But you may need to compromise to accomodate a table setting or linens. If you're doing cranberry and avacado all through the house and you have white dishes and matching linens, you don't have a problem. Keep your centerpiece in cranberry and avacado. But if you have a special holiday set of dishes in blue and white, think twice before making your centerpiece in cranberry and avacado. Size (or spread): Don't forget that you'll want room on the table for serving pieces - unless the food will be on a buffet (or better yet, brought in by "the help" - don't I wish). If that's the case, you can dance a centerpiece all the way down the center of the table. Be sure to put the placemats out on the table (kind of a dress rehearsal) before deciding on the size of your centerpiece. This will give you a good perception of the amount of space left for decorating. Sparkle: When using glass, be sure to check for water spots before beginning assembly. When you add lights to glass, spots are magnified so use a bright light to check for spots. There's nothing worse than getting everything perfectly placed and having to unassemble a beautiful centerpiece to get a waterspot off the inside of the bowl. Don't forget some hand lotions can leave residue on glass that will show up after you turn on the lights. |
© Copyright 2001, 2005, Katie Long. All rights reserved. |
Candle Bowl What you need - A very large brandy snifter OR A large ball shaped vase OR A good sized round fish bowl Glass ornaments of various sizes to fill the bowl Wire Tinsle Garland - the kind that's thin with do-dads (stars, etc.) extending out from the wrapped wire Small pieces of tape A hot glue gun with glue stick A 6" pillar candle about 1 1/2" in diameter. A candle stick that will hold the candle so the base is just at the top of the bowl. If you're using a pillar candle (one that doesn't need a holder), you can use an inverted drinking glass with a flat base to support the canle in the bowl. Just be sure the base of the candle sits just at the top of the bowl. CAUTION - Hot glue guns can cause burns if handled improperly. Do not allow small children to use hot glue guns and always supervise any child with dangerous materials. Procedure - Start by securing the end of the garland to the bottom of the bowl with tape near the outside but where the tape will not be visible. Glue the candle holder to the center of the bowl using the hot glue gun. Be sure it sits level so that the candle will not lean or tip over. Place a layer of the largest ornaments into the bowl and fill in a few spaces with the tiniest ornaments. Try to place the hanger end to the center of the bowl. Drape part of the garland over and around the edge of the layer of ornaments so that it shows from the outside of the bowl. Repeat the layering gradually using smaller ornaments as you get to the top of the bowl. At the top layer, bury the end of the garland near the candle stick and hide it with an ornament. Here the hanger ends of the ornaments should point down and in toward the center of the bowl. Place the centerpiece where it will reside for the holidays and then put the candle on the holder. To finish the table place floating candles in smaller bowls down the table with glass ornaments on ribbons connecting them. CAUTION - Do not leave burning candles unattended. Keep candles away from children. |
Please sign my guest book. View entries here. |
© Copyright 2001, 2005, Katie Long. All rights reserved. |
© Copyright 2001, 2005, Katie Long. All rights reserved. |
© Copyright 2001, 2005, Katie Long. All rights reserved. |
Shimmering Bowl What you need - A very large brandy snifter OR A large ball shaped vase OR A good sized round fish bowl Glass ornaments of various sizes to fill the bowl A small battery operated string of clear mini lights A small piece of tape - electrical works but so will other types Procedure - Start by securing the end of the light string furthest from the switch to the bottom of the bowl near the outside but where the tape will not be visible. Place a layer of the largest ornaments into the bowl and fill in a few spaces with the tiniest ornaments. Try to place the hanger end to the center of the bowl. Drape part of the string of lights over and around the edge of the layer of ornaments so that the lights point to the outside. Repeat the layering gradually using smaller ornaments as you get to the top of the bowl. At the top layer, place the light switch near the center and cover with an ornament. Here the hanger ends of the ornaments should point down and in toward the center of the bowl. To finish the table add other strings of battery operated mini lights along the table scattered with glass stones in complementary colors. Since the cords of the light strings will be visible you may want to try to find the ones with white cords. You can find the colored glass stones in craft departments and pet departments (for fish tanks). |
