Friday, December 17, 2021 / by Teresa DiPeso
7 Stunning and Festive Centerpieces for Your Holiday Dining Table
Once your tree is up and all the presents are wrapped, you might have precious little energy left for decorating the grand finale of your holiday gathering: the Christmas feast around your dining table. As a result, you might be tempted to skip it altogether, especially since table centerpieces are often rather dull affairs, usually involving wilting flowers and candlesticks more rusty than rustic.
But thanks to a bit of design inspiration from Instagram, you can make your centerpieces shine with a few easy, breezy touches. We scoured the online table decor scene to find you the most incredible Yuletide tablescapes for every budget and style, from traditional to funky-nouveau. Here are seven gorgeous Christmas centerpieces that will impress your guests—and leave you energized.
1. Starry silent night
Simple and elegant, this red and green centerpiece from @bialy_plotek also works well as a last-minute DIY decor to spruce up your dining table.
“This centerpiece is festive and elegant, using a muted color palette that’s perfect for the winter season,” says designer Kate Diaz, of Swanky Den. “The eucalyptus and berries add a touch of natural greenery and color, while the candles provide a warm and inviting glow, making it the perfect choice for a formal holiday party.”
2. Pretty in pink
If you love rosy shades of red and pink, you might want to ring in the holiday by taking a note from the table of @casaduhagon.
“This is an on-trend spin of your classic centerpiece,” says Diaz. “It speaks to the idea of playfulness, spontaneity, and turning a monochrome space into a sweet overdose of color. The arrangement also reminds me of the eye-catching signage at bakeries. So if your table’s space allows, try arranging your centerpiece atop an inexpensive cake stand for extra height and shine.”
3. Wild winter wonder
If your decor is farmhouse-inspired (or you wish it were), this table design from @signebay brings on all the feelings of an old-fashioned Christmas.
“Hello warmth, hearth, and home,” says designer Megan Nelson, of Nest with the Nelsons. “This is just a beautiful look that’s put together and effortless at the same time. You can easily re-create this rustic look with a neutral tablecloth, candles, and thick napkins. Then add to the romantic ambiance with great mood lighting to bring the whole look home.”
4. Scandinavian-inspired Charlie Brown
Who doesn’t love a simple Charlie Brown tree, especially when it’s all dolled up in a Scandinavian-inspired holiday scene like this one from @monicakjellemo?
“This is so cute, quaint, and easy to duplicate,” says Nelson. “Grab a large jar, snag a small branch from your pine tree out back, and get wild by adding in some plaid ribbon to bring the look together. While you’re outside, grab some more greenery to place around some candles.”
5. Garland galore
Typically we think of a garland as something to hang across the mantel or a wooden beam. But we have to admit, this dreamy bit of garland looks just as good (if not better) draped across the dining table of @thecozyfarmhouse.
“I’m just in love with this beautiful farmhouse Christmas look,” says Nelson. “The garland takes center stage, adorned with beautiful candles. The look is softened and elevated with the formal plate setting and topped with a touch of elegance with the long napkin. The gold cutlery adds another flair.”
6. White Christmas
Are you dreaming of an elegant all-white Christmas? Then you’re going to love this tablescape from @willowbloomhome.
“This trending holiday centerpiece is so simple and elegant,” says Diaz. “The addition of greenery gives it a touch of natural beauty. Some fun ideas for replicating this design include using different types of greenery—such as rosemary or eucalyptus—and experimenting with varying combinations of color and metallics like silver and gold.”
7. Winter bouquet
You don’t see many tulips this time of year, which is just one more reason this festive winter bouquet from @set_the_fancy_table makes for the perfect holiday centerpiece.
“What a gorgeous pop of bright and festive fare,” says Nelson. “This look is just so striking, yet so easy to emulate with items curated from throughout your own home. So round up the reindeer, find a matching accent bowl for the centerpiece, and snag some pine cones. Then do a little shopping at the local flower shop for bright, vibrant stems to top off the look.”