Create and display an attention-getting holiday centerpiece for your table
When planning your holiday meal, you don’t necessarily want your guests’ eyes to instantly go to the place settings, tablecloth or glassware. The focal point of your table should be an appealing centerpiece that reflects your good taste as a host, chef and decorator.
So give careful thought to this important visual anchor, the experts agree.
“A beautiful holiday centerpiece does more than just look pretty. It truly brings people together,” Elizabeth Goel, chef-owner of Bite Catering Couture, explains. “It shows your guests you’ve put thought and care into their experience and instantly sets a festive, welcoming mood.”
Artistic workshop presenter Nancy Koziol, founder of couch + cork, subscribes to that theory.
“The centerpiece enhances the aesthetic appeal of your food. And once the plates are removed, your table still looks put together in group photos, whether guests are enjoying a dessert wine or coffee. I can’t tell you how many party photos I’ve seen of cleared-off tables with crumbs or napkins as the focal point. Instead, a centerpiece serves as a gorgeous bit of art that draws your eye.”
But centerpieces aren’t reserved for holiday parties alone. They can serve as a visual cue that says the holiday season is here and everyone present should get in the spirit, across November and December.
“Whether you are welcoming guests or enjoying a quiet dinner, a well-placed arrangement brings a sense of occasion to everyday life, even on a boring weekday,” adds Goel.
Short on holiday centerpiece ideas? Here are a variety of themes and approaches you can try:
• Make it bold and colorful. “Contrast is your friend. Lean into deep winter greens and pops of citrus, metallics, or anything that photographs beautifully,” suggests Goel.
• Bottle it up. “Use a beautiful bottle or jar as well as floral foam in a half circle or dome that can be placed directly on the table in case you choose to serve whatever is in the bottle. Be sure to have greenery hide the floral foam completely. You can also trim it to camouflage any unused areas along the bottom,” Koziol advises.
• Opt for edible. A cheese and charcuterie arrangement, gingerbread house, or bowl of jewellike fruit is more than decor — it’s an invitation for guests to graze, nibble, and mingle.
• Display images vertically. “Use a card fork — the plastic, metal, or wire multiprong piece that holds a card when flowers come from the florist — to display vintage postcards, greeting cards, or older family photos,” adds Koziol.
• Display a bowl of Christmas ornaments with floral buds.
• Showcase a collection of mini Santa figures inside a punch bowl.
• Add interactivity. “Add sprigs of rosemary, cinnamon sticks, or tiny bowls of spiced nuts for texture and scent. But keep it balanced — heavily scented florals or heady decor can distract or interfere with the aroma and taste of your meal,” Goel continues.
• Go big with your candlesticks. Gather five to seven instead of just a pair, and stick to one material like silver, mercury glass, or ceramic in different heights for a bold look. Finish it off with a unique table runner made from leftover fabric or eye-catching holiday paper to add contrast and style to your table.
• Play with layers and heights. “A pastry chef quickly learns how important a layered 3D perspective can be in creating drama. So stack, tier, and build using cake stands, footed bowls, or tall vessels for a centerpiece that rises above the ordinary,” says Goel.
“Avoid going out and buying a pre-made centerpiece. Anything that smacks of a theme, like a Thanksgiving centerpiece from the store, will be trite and cheesy,” cautions Marcia Sherill, owner of Marcia Sherill Designs, who recommends being creative and adopting a DIY approach. “Also, be extra careful with any glass and crystal candlestick holders — I’ve seen candles burn down and shatter Tiffany holders, so be sure to blow out those candles before they shrink down too far.”
Above all, allow your centerpiece to set the vibe, whether it be cozy, luxe, playful, or bold.
“The best centerpieces don’t just fill the space — they set the mood and invite guests in,” Goel adds.