Create a Festive Centerpiece for Dinner Parties

For Book Lovers

Some centerpieces fit some gatherings perfectly, yet they're also pretty enough to decorate the table any other day. For a book club luncheon, a stack of books is the perfect anchor for the middle of the table. Use older looking books with dark colors, or new books with the dust jacket removed. Choose and stack the books with larger ones on bottom and smaller ones towards the top.

Keep Having Fun With Flowers

Just because you are trying to get creative with your centerpieces doesn't mean that you have to get away from flowers entirely. One fun and creative way to present flowers is to place them in completely unexpected vases.

For example, at a breakfast or coffee gathering, place an arrangement in a large, stainless steel coffee mug or an empty Folgers ^® coffee container. You'll receive compliments for your cleverness. Other options for unexpected vases are glass milk bottles, tea containers and beakers or test tubes.

In lieu of your usual go-to blooms, consider using succulents-exotic, low-maintenance plants that stand beautifully as an unexpected centerpiece. Begin by filling a large, wide-mouthed vase with water. Add a small amount of laundry bleach to your water to prevent clouding and eliminate bacteria. Before inserting your plants, use a sharp knife to trim each succulent stem at a 45-degree angle, which allows them to absorb more water. To fashion a proportionate, well-supported arrangement, create a grid across the top of your vase with floral tape, then insert one or two succulent stems into each square.

For a second quick and easy table statement, choose three fragrant candles and group them together in the center of the table. If they are all identical, place them in a straight row. If you’re working with candles of various shapes, sizes or colors, opt for a more relaxed, free-form composition. Whatever your approach, sticking with three of the same item makes for a balanced, stylish look.

Beautiful Fruit

Fruits and vegetables are some of the most beautiful shapes found in nature, and they are also perfectly suited to tie into seasonal dinners. Limes, apples, oranges and other fruits are visually distinctive and delightfully colorful.

Fill a tall glass vase halfway to two-thirds with whatever fruit you choose. To add more visual intrigue, add some fruit slices. Then fill the vase with water. The water will bend the light to make the fruit look larger than it is. This centerpiece is eye-catching, yet it's a breeze to make.

Bowl of Candy

Candy is bright and shiny so that you can't resist buying it. Use this to your advantage and to create great table decorations with the tasty treats. Create a fun take on the traditional centerpiece by making a bouquet of large, colorful lollipops in a vase or other container.

Another fun look is a glass bowl or vase full of small bite sized candies, such as jelly beans or foil-covered and candy-covered chocolates. The candies you use for this should have an outer shell that won't stick to the glass. And after the meal, you can let your guests pull out some candy for dessert.

Decorating with candy is a great technique to also create seasonal centerpieces. Different types of candy like candy canes, candy hearts and candy corns are associated with a specific holiday or time of year. Many candies also use seasonal colors or shapes, like pastel colors and egg shapes in spring.

Decorate with Drinks

A completely practical centerpiece takes advantage of the whimsical and colorful packaging of some soft drinks. Soft drink bottles, especially glass ones, can play fun tricks with light and add simple beauty with their uncomplicated design.

Before your guests arrive, arrange colorful soda bottles in the middle of your table. Place them on a piece of mirrored glass to focus light through the bottles. And when everyone arrives, let them select their drinks straight from the centerpiece.

A little creativity can go a long way in your home, and these are just a few ideas for your dining table. These pleasing centerpieces will add a personal touch to your dinner parties, and you'll have a great time making them and thinking of other clever ways to decorate your table.