Christmas Decorating Ideas Table Centerpiece

Rustic Delight

Welcome guests to your table with a fresh, organic approach to holiday styling. This charming, neutral tablescape is anchored with three ivory table runners, styled horizontally across the table. To add height and more texture, cozy wool Christmas trees are arranged among fresh cypress stems and decorative reindeer for an eye-catching display.

See More Photos: 110 Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas

Energize With Color

Our new favorite trend? Decorating with unexpected colors for Christmas. Display all the hues of the rainbow (or stick to just a few fun colors) with vibrant bottle brush trees lined down the center of the table. Choose different heights from tall to tiny for added dimension and visual interest.

See More Photos: 45+ Cool Christmas Decorating Ideas That Aren't Red and Green

Beauty on a Budget

Creating a show-stopping holiday table doesn't have to cost a fortune. The key is using what you already have on hand, from wrapping paper to peppermint sticks. Use apothecary jars to hold leftover garland, walnuts or jingle bells, then style them on the table with ribbon, candles and your usual decor.

See More Photos: Create a Sparkling Holiday Table With Last Year's Leftovers

Go Foraging

Sometimes it pays (and saves) to look to the backyard for fresh greenery. Here, fragrant evergreen snippings are arranged to overflow from the vase in an effortless and organic fashion. Baubles are placed on the sturdiest branches and petite presents sit at the arrangement's base to polish off the display.

Learn More: 5 Free Ways to Decorate With Christmas Tree Clippings

Farmhouse Feels

This modern farmhouse dining table is decked out for Christmas dinner with a frosted tree centerpiece, snowflake place cards and a black-and-white striped runner. The wooden, x-back dining chairs are gussied-up for guests with a mini pine wreath wrapped in a perky burlap bow.

See More Photos: Modern Farmhouse Holiday Home Tour

Classic Christmas

Bring the joy and love that classic red roses symbolize to your holiday table with a beautifully arranged centerpiece featuring the bloom. Available year-round at floral shops and grocery stores, red roses pair perfectly with evergreen cuttings, such as cedar and pine, in seasonal arrangements.

See More Photos: 10 Winter Flower Arrangements to Brighten Up the Season

Rich With Warmth

Set the tone for an intimate and cozy Christmas dinner by lining the dining table with warm-hued pillar candles of varying heights. Here, battery-operated candles are set inside a long wooden crate for added warmth and texture.

Wow With Greenery Garland

Greenery garland is your best friend when it comes to a quick and easy centerpiece option. This elaborate garland/table runner was made with pine and cedar tree clippings and secured together with wire. For additional organic texture, pine cones were added throughout.

Get the How-To: How to Make Holiday Garland From Foraged Greenery

Gingerbread (Farm)House

Embrace one of the season's most-loved traditions by crafting a gingerbread house with the family and display it as a centerpiece. Here, the classic boxed house is given a farmhouse makeover thanks to almond slices, gum sticks, pretzels and rosemary.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Charming Gingerbread Farmhouse

Keep It Casual

Silver candle holders topped with red pillar candles, white vases brimming with fresh flowers and an array of delicious desserts create a beautifully-layered display on this holiday table. Because the plaid dining chairs and artwork already make a statement in the space, a casual centerpiece spread complements the design instead of overwhelming it.

Get Creative With Clippings

To craft a beautiful, inexpensive centerpiece to brighten up any holiday get-together, use fresh pine cuttings to decorate dollar store candle holders or hurricanes. To create them, clip sprigs of natural pine greenery to a length not taller than a glass vase of your choice. Attach greenery around the outside of the container with hot glue, being sure to tack down the edges of long pieces so the greenery lies flat against the glass. Add a final flourish or colorful ribbon, then add a pillar or taper candle to the center of the vase, securing its base with hot glue, if necessary.

See More Photos: Merry + Bright Christmas Brunch Tablescape

Use Upcycled Containers

An old cheese box, filled with floral foam, serves as a conversation-starting container for this low centerpiece of white cabbage roses, pittosporum and silvery Dusty Miller. Small brown bottles, filled with more blooms and clippings, give the small centerpiece greater visual impact.

Get High (and Low)

One secret to designing an eye-catching tablescape: varying the heights of your food and decor. Here, pillar candles cluster on a pedestal stand to create an instant focal point, plates and bowls are stacked for greater interest and greenery rises from a glass vase and also snakes along the surface of the table.

Seasonally Simple

Dress up your tabletop surface with an arrangement that looks just like mistletoe. Combine stems of hypericum berries with sprigs and branches of pine. The arrangement will last anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks if the water is changed regularly and the stems are cut at an angle every few days. Vintage Thermos-style containers are easy to source at thrift stores or yard sales and make festive containers.

See More Photos: Copy These Christmas Table Setting + Decorating Ideas

Bright White Glow

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, then this luxe, snowy tablescape is for you. A plethora of wintery-white bottle brush trees and pale green eucalyptus sit atop a wooden tray to create a dash of holiday whimsy.

See More Photos: 45+ Cool Christmas Decorating Ideas That Aren't Red and Green

Infuse Metallic Hues

Although traditional Christmas colors are excellent for infusing seasonal flair into a space quickly, they can often be overwhelming on a tablescape. Instead of color, try a metallic approach by constructing a table made of sparkling silver and gorgeous gold.

See More Photos: 14 Easy Ways to Add Classic Christmas Charm to Your Home

Boxwood Beauty

A single garland of preserved boxwood studded with pine sprigs creates a casual, low arrangement when placed down the length of the table. Scatter a few loose red ornaments and gold votive holders throughout to produce a classic Christmas feel.

See More Photos: Merry + Bright Christmas Brunch Tablescape

Outdoor Sparkle

This sunny spot is ready for seasonal celebrations with a flocked pine needle garland and clear containers filled to the brim with gold and silver ornaments. As the sun goes down, the centerpiece will catch the light of the flickering candles, creating a gleaming display.

See More Photos: 35 Coastal Christmas Decorating Ideas

Grab a Pitcher

A distressed ceramic pitcher serves as a vessel for red hypericum berries and silver dollar eucalyptus on this breakfast nook holiday table. Berry stems are a great way to quickly add seasonal flair to any table or space.

Deck the Chandelier

Don't stop at decking the halls. Deck the area around your dining table, too. Here, designer Kim Stoegbauer fills the Scandi-style chandelier above her holiday table with faux greenery to keep the festive fun going.

See More Photos: 110 Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas

Display a Collection

Whether you love your collection of gnomes, nutcrackers or sleigh bells, group them all together for an impressive vignette. Use pedestals, cake plates and boxes to vary the height to concoct a more interesting showing.

See More Photos: Create a Charming Coastal Holiday With Tips From HGTV Dream Home 2020

Pattern Play

Merry and bright, designer Nicole Botsman's dining table is packed full of playful patterns and dashes of color thanks to five modern chipboard tree decorations and a graphic black-and-white table runner.

See More: A Unique, Neutral-Chic Home Ready for the Holidays

HGTV Magazine Logo in Pink

Home Sweet Home

This inviting tablescape is made extra-cozy thanks to yarn-wrapped trees and the warm glow of candles. Vintage starburst candle holders add an eye-catching twist while green tree figurines bring a classic Christmas touch to the table.

See More Photos: Crafty + Classic Christmas Table Setting

Let Nature Inspire You

When choosing table decor, consider repeating details of the natural surroundings. Here, vertical glass candlesticks reference the towering trees beyond, as well as the wintery gleam of icicles. Below, evergreen boughs add softness to the tabletop.

Woodsy Wonderland

Maximize your centerpiece's impact by spreading the flowers and greenery among multiple vases. But, don't worry, more centerpieces don't have to mean more $$$. Large blooms like chrysanthemums and dahlias provide a lot of impact with just a few stems. Fill in with greenery, either from your backyard or local grocery or florist, and finish with a few berry stems and bare branches.

See More Photos: Rustic + Refined: Set a Stunning Fall or Winter Table Setting

Dreaming of a Colorful Christmas

Red and green, who? Bright, colorful bottle brush trees, tall candles and decorative reindeer combine with vibrant place settings to energize this dining room. The use of color in this space adds a modern twist while staying holiday-ready.

See More Photos: 45+ Cool Christmas Decorating Ideas That Aren't Red and Green

Shine Bright

Mercury glass cylinder vases in varying sizes shine in the middle of this glam holiday table. Fresh evergreens and a silver runner help keep this set-up subtle yet brimming with style.

Pretty Poinsettias

Poinsettias are the quintessential flower for the winter holidays. Instead of grabbing a few potted plants to pop around the house, try using them as cut flowers. Not only will they last for days in a vase, but they also come in a variety of colors.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Gorgeous + Easy Poinsettia Centerpiece for the Holidays

Dark and Moody

Turn up the drama for your next holiday soiree with a mix of dark hues, rich textures and metallic accents. A vase full of blue thistle centers this eye-catching tablescape while a trio of modern trees sits below to tie the look together.

See More Photos: 11 Ways to Create a Wintry-Luxe Holiday Dining Room

Sleigh All Day

Add height to your outdoor seasonal display by repurposing a vintage sled as a food riser or centerpiece. Here, a wooden sled adds a fun mix of texture with its metal base and wooden slats while fresh evergreens and pinecones bring a hint of the holidays.

See More Photos: 12 Ways to Add Cozy, Vintage Style This Winter

Decorate With Dessert

Crafting an eye-catching dessert can be time-consuming. Show off your hard work by displaying dessert on the table for all to see. This birch log looks fresh from the forest but is actually a delicious cake. Made using white chocolate candy bark that covers a soft, delectable pumpkin roll, it's covered with candy-coated mushrooms and rests on a mossy bed of ground pistachios.

Get the Recipe: Birch Bark Yule Log Recipe

Keep It Fresh

Living centerpieces are a great choice for an outdoor tablescape, blending in seamlessly with their surroundings. Wrap the base of a baby tree in basic burlap or go for something more glam with shimmery gold or silver fabric. After the holidays are over, plant your decor where you will enjoy it for years to come.

Cute Creatures

Often referred to as Kunstlerschutz, vintage German flocked animals are a sweet addition to holiday vignettes. Also frequently known by the name of their most famous maker, Wagner Handwork, the handmade flocked creatures from the '40s, '50s and '60s can be hard to find in good condition. Created initially as kids' toys, the tiny animals were often played with, resulting in broken legs or rubbed-off areas of flocking but, even with some damage, their charm is undeniable.

See More Photos: Cozy Up Your Christmas Decor With Vintage and Antique Finds

Seasonal Blooms

Brighten up your space with bold pops of red and green using a mixture of cut ranunculus stems and branches of juniper and cedar. The slight variation in green coloring will add depth to the finished look and rough texture against the pretty, soft shape of the ranunculus.

See More Photos: 10 Winter Flower Arrangements to Brighten Up the Season

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty's here! Bring a whimsical touch to your holiday tablescape with a cheerful and fun snowman made from white carnations and playful embellishments. Our step-by-step instructions below show you how.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Carnation Snowman Centerpiece

Get Crafty

Give craft-store foam topiaries of all sizes a cozy, Christmasy makeover by wrapping them in chunky yarn. Pair them with ceramic trees and bright-white taper candles for a warm and inviting addition to the middle of the table.

Get the How-To: Easy Yarn-Wrapped Mini Christmas Trees

Add Height With Cake Stands

Think beyond cakes and bundts and use decorative serving pieces such as pedestals and cake stands to add height to a centerpiece or buffet arrangement. Place greenery, pinecones, seasonal fruit or nuts and candles on top.

See More Photos: Cozy Up Your Christmas Decor With Vintage and Antique Finds

Gorgeous Glass

Infuse a touch of moody whimsy to your winter table by suspending pine and berry clippings in a variety of glass bottles filled with water. Place tapered candles into the bottle openings to create a serene, illuminated centerpiece.

See More Photos: Throw a Stylish Winter Solstice Party

Contrasting Colors

Birch bark-covered containers, filled with green ball dianthus, rich red flowers and fresh evergreens, add an elegant-yet-woodsy touch to this holiday table. Create your own woodland vases by covering coffee cans with pieces of birch bark, or even birch-printed scrapbook paper if real birch bark is not available.

See More Photos: Cozy Up to This Buffalo Plaid Christmas Table Setting

Sleigh Bells

Antique sleigh bells' shine and festive ring make them a natural holiday accessory. Tuck them into greenery arrangements with pinecones and candles for an easy centerpiece. Many modern reproductions exist but to find vintage or antique versions, search local antique stores or reputable online auction sites.

See More Photos: Cozy Up Your Christmas Decor With Vintage and Antique Finds

A Rustic Twist

Contrast a neutral palette of cream and white with pops of dark cypress greenery to add a festive touch that's distinctly seasonal. To bring an unexpected rustic touch to the table, lay out a burlap runner as the base and incorporate faux antlers throughout.

See More Photos: Host a Rustic Handmade Christmas Brunch

Winter White

Decorated solely in shades of white, designer Camille Styles uses the tone-on-tone style in this dining room to create a holiday soiree that blends timeless elegance with a wintry aesthetic. The key to creating an all-white tablescape that's not flat or sterile is to layer different shades along with a mix of textures and metallic accents.

See More Photos: Creating a White-on-White Holiday Tablescape

Loose Greenery

While you're at the grocery store buying ingredients for the big dinner, browse through the floral department for greenery bunches to decorate the table. Here, loose stems of eucalyptus varieties and evergreens sit atop a copper tray accented with glass topiaries and pomegranates.

See More Photos: Host Happy: Throw a Festive Friendsmas Party

Oh, (Tiny) Christmas Tree

Create a tiny holiday tree by filling a teacup with floral foam and insert boxwood clippings to form the shape. Line the table with your tiny creations or style them on a silver tray with pinecones and loose greenery.

Bring the Beach to Christmas

Breezy fabrics, woven textures and seashells work surprisingly well with evergreens, mercury glass and elegant china. With seashells available in craft stores year-round, you don't have to live by the seaside to use beach-inspired decor when the holidays roll around.

See More Photos: Create a Coastal-Chic Holiday Table

Light the Night

Nothing says holiday cheer quite like the warm glow of a candle. Capture that cozy charm with a show-stopping log centerpiece that will easily transform your holiday table.

Get the How-To: Light the Night With a Rustic Candle Centerpiece

Candy (Cane) Crush

Classic candy canes become a nontraditional centerpiece to modernize any seasonal table. Glue unwrapped candy canes to the bottom of a wooden plate. Crush a few more candy canes, then glue those pieces around the bottom of the standing candy canes for added texture.

See More Photos: 10 DIY Holiday Centerpieces That Aren't Cut Flowers

Versatile Holiday Wreath

Wreaths aren't just for the front door anymore. Place a cake stand topped with candles, oranges and cranberries in the center of a wreath for a quick and easy table display.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Moss and Cranberry Holiday Wreath

Add a Table Runner

Add a frosty touch to your holiday table with this easy-to-create felt snowflake table runner the kids will love to help make. Accessorize the runner with your favorite tabletop decor such as the rustic, winter-themed display seen here.

Get the How-To: Snowflake-Embellished Table Runner

More Is Merrier

Combine several small arrangements to dress up a holiday buffet table. Here, mercury glass-footed bowls are filled with silver and gold ornaments, while tall ceramic vases filled with red roses add height and a colorful accent to the space.

Upcycled Decor

Turn a dessert stand into a three-tiered, coastal centerpiece by filling it with silver ornaments, sparkling starfish, strands of jewelry and holiday greenery.

Prints Galore

Plaid and gingham and polka dots, oh my! Aniko Levai of Place of My Taste cleverly mixed fabric scraps and inexpensive wrapping paper to create this fun and festive table decor. Leftover fabric covers the tablescape's conical "trees," dots the pinecone-and-greenery centerpiece, ties cardboard reindeers around vintage glass bottles and finishes off the place settings.

See More Photos: Festive Holiday Table Decoration Ideas Under $20

A Touch of Glitz

When choosing florals, embrace a wintry color palette of soft whites and frosted greens. Here, Queen Anne's lace and ranunculus pair with luscious garden roses. A rustic wooden runner and pinecones bring a natural, woodsy quality to the display, while mercury glass accents add a touch of twinkle.

Topped With a Bow

Impress your holiday dinner guests with an eye-catching, nature-inspired gift box centerpiece. Because it's taller than it is wide, you'll have plenty of room for a large, festive feast on the table around it.

Get the How-To: How to Create a Gift Box Centerpiece

Silver + White

This seasonal table celebrates the beauty found in fresh snow and a wintry frost. A large ironstone tureen can be filled with steaming soup and looks lovely in the arrangement. Mercury glass trees and votives are scattered amidst fresh trimmings from a Christmas tree.

See More Photos: Classic Silver and White Christmas Table Decor

Last-Minute Touches

Create a last-minute centerpiece by layering items you already have around the house. A decorative tray, grapevine wreath, glass candleholder and a few stems of faux flowers combine for a quick and beautiful look.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Layered Holiday Centerpiece

Metallic Touch

Bring a metallic touch to your Christmas centerpiece by applying silver and gold leaf to inexpensive glass votives and hurricanes. With just a few minutes, you can create the look of mercury glass without the cost.

Get the How-To: How to Make Mercury Glass Votives

All Wrapped Up

Two stacks of beautifully wrapped presents line the middle of this holiday table. Flowy satin ribbon matches the patterned table linen, tying the whole look together.

Baubles on Baubles

Layer glass ornament balls in varying sizes for a simple-but-stunning arrangement. Icy blue, champagne and silver hues create tons of visual interest in this bowl heaped with baubles.

Look Up

Free up valuable serving space on the table by adorning the ceiling above with decor, instead. Here, glittering icicles, crystal baubles and clear bulbs create a faux chandelier fit for a holiday celebration.