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8 incredible Christmas centerpiece ideas you can DIY in 20 minutes

Running short on time? Try these super easy DIY Christmas centerpiece ideas for your table

christmas table setting with food
fascinadora / Adobe Stock

The holidays are always the busiest time of the year. With buying gifts and planning festivities on top of your everyday responsibilities, dressing up your dining table may be the last thing on your mind. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend a lot of time, effort, or money creating the perfect Christmas centerpiece. You can find tons of inspiration online for your impressive tablescape, and many of them are easy to DIY in 20 minutes or less. Here are eight simple Christmas centerpiece ideas that you can make in no time at all.

Christmas centerpiece wreath wrapped around a candle
Liliboas / Getty Images

DIY wreath candle ring

A wreath candle ring is a timeless and elegant holiday centerpiece that you can use again and again. To create this display, all you need is a candle and a small wreath or evergreen clippings. Place the candle in the center, and surround it with the wreath or pine branches, along with pine cones, flowers, and other winter plants. Use a jar candle or flameless one so you don’t create a potential fire hazard. You can add some dimension to your display by placing the candle and wreath on a pedestal or cake stand.

Table set with pine cones and pine branches
izikmd / Adobe Stock

Snowy winter vase centerpieces

For a sophisticated centerpiece that will look store-bought, try painting vases to look like they’re covered in snow. You can find inexpensive vases at the dollar store or a thrift shop. Then, you’ll need some Snow-Tex, a textured specialty paint designed to look like snow. Dab the outside of the vase with the paint to create a realistic snowy texture. Then, fill the vase with decorative ornaments, pine cones, or wintery branches.

Multi-colored green paper Christmas trees
bankrx / Adobe Stock

Homemade paper Christmas trees

If you’re planning a low-key and fun Christmas dinner, check out these DIY paper Christmas trees. You can make a few of them in various heights to create a paper forest for your centerpiece. This three-dimensional paper woodland is a unique display for your table, plus it can be an easy arts-and-crafts project for the whole family. To get started, use this free printable template from Paging Supermom.

Christmas gift wrapped in brown paper with cranberries
Adobe Stock

Cranberry floral vases

Even if your guests aren’t fans of cranberry sauce, you can still put those berries to good use. Fill two or three clear vases with fresh cranberries. Add water so the berries stay fresh. Then, top it all off with flowers. Choose white flowers, like hydrangeas, peonies, or carnations, that will look festive with the red cranberries. This is an excellent way to add a pop of color to an otherwise dull floral arrangement.

Burning candles and Christmas decorations on wooden tray
igishevamaria / Adobe Stock

Herb-wrapped candles

Create a cozy tablescape with these rustic herb-wrapped candles. This simple centerpiece is effortless to make and still super effective. Use a rubber band to secure your favorite herb to a pillar candle, then wrap twine around it and remove the elastic. We recommend rosemary for the holidays, but you can also use sage, eucalyptus, or even cinnamon sticks. For safety’s sake, use a battery-powered candle. Complete the display with some evergreen garland or seasonal produce like apples or pomegranates.

Person holding a festive Christmas centerpiece
pidhorna / Shutterstock

Easy rustic farmhouse box

This farmhouse-style centerpiece is a real showstopper with its overflowing greenery. To create this type of floral arrangement, you’ll need a rustic box or crate, a Styrofoam base, and the foliage of your choice. This centerpiece is endlessly customizable; you can use whatever greenery, flowers, and decorations you want. Just make sure to use enough to make your display look lush and abundant. Follow the tutorial from Southern Charm Wreaths for a simple step-by-step breakdown.

Festive Christmas table setting
mashiki / Adobe Stock

Snow-covered mason jar luminaries

Make your Christmas centerpiece light up the room with these festive snowy luminaries. This DIY project entails using Mod Podge with Epsom salt and glitter instead of the artificial paint used for the snow-covered vases mentioned above. Cover a few mason jars with the faux snow, and decorate to your heart’s content. You can garnish the rim of the jar with twine and holly or other greenery. Then, place a flameless tea light inside to complete the display.

dark dining table with gold and green christmas decor
Cavan Images / Adobe Stock

Evergreen garland runner

For a larger and slightly more grandiose Christmas centerpiece, add an evergreen garland down the center of the table atop the table runner. First, lay your table runner down the center of your table (if you opt out of a runner, that’s perfectly fine!). Then, lay a long evergreen garland on top. You can find these garlands at most craft and hobby stores during the winter season. Some evergreen garlands are all-natural, while others feature poinsettias, pine cones, and cranberries added throughout the ensemble. Also, be sure to add mini string lights to the garland, weaving around the floral piece for a whimsical effect.

You could pause here or continue decorating by adding candelabras with beautiful, slender white or red candles. You may also consider adding vases filled with water and floating candles, lanterns, or additional foliage to create the perfect centerpiece.

You don’t have to be a pro crafter to make these incredible centerpieces for your dining room table. With the right supplies and a little bit of effort, you can create a sophisticated and festive centerpiece. These eight ideas are all simple to put together in less than half an hour. But this is only the beginning; make your centerpiece your own with a few minor tweaks to fit your decor. With your own creative twist on the display, you can impress your guests and make a timeless piece that you can use for many years to come.

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Shannon Cooper
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shannon Cooper has written about everything from pet care and travel to finance and plumbing in her seven years as a writer…
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