28 Christmas centrepiece ideas to set the scene for festive entertaining

Take your festive table dressing up a level this year with these creative Christmas centrepiece ideas to ensure your Christmas dining table looks its best for the big day.

When it comes to Christmas decorating ideas, the festive dining table should be as integral as your Christmas tree decorating ideas because you're setting the scene for all your holiday entertaining. 

"Your dining table should be the centrepiece of your Christmas decorations, it’s the place you can go to town on the festive settings," says home interiors and tablescaping expert Lucy Hood, founder of Tableday. 

"This year, gold, silver, vibrant berry red, and royal blue are key colours, but with Christmas, it's all in the details, and just a few key ornaments can make the setting spectacular with minimal cost." 

Christmas centerpiece ideas for the 2023 holidays

While placemats and cutlery are of course a festive table staple, a special, Christmas centerpiece ideas are what can elevate festive feasting to the next level, to create a more memorable experience for all of your guests.

1. Display festive berries wrapped with ribbon

Flowers for your festive centrepiece can elevate the space in an instant. We love the idea of placing a few delicate stems of eucalyptus and festive red berries into an oversized glass vase for a striking yet understated look to fill the centre of your dining table. 

"Ribbon is an inexpensive way to add a special touch to your table centrepiece," says Lucy. "Choose a shade that complements your colour scheme, then tie a bow around the tops of bud vases, candle bases, or napkins to add an extra layer of festive cheer."

We have stumbled across how to tie a perfect bow with ribbon if you need any help to perfect your ribbon-tying technique.

This is a great centrepiece option if you prefer a more minimalist, natural approach to decorating. The vase of flowers would form the main part of your centrepiece, so decorate the rest of your table with fairy lights and candles to continue the minimalist theme.

2. Arrange mini Christmas trees

Nothing says Christmas more than Christmas trees, so why not add trees to your Christmas centrepiece? Of course, we're not talking full-height artificial Christmas trees, but mini-versions instead. 

These work well to instantly create a festive tablescape and come in a variety of different colours – be they traditional green real trees, faux snowy white trees, or even more quirky alternative Christmas trees. 

Choose a selection of these stylish mini trees, at varying heights, and scatter them throughout the middle of your table for a really simple but highly impressive centrepiece. Use the stylist rule of working in odd numbers, so choose three or five, and so on.

3. Use cake stands to elevate displays

If you're tight on space at your Christmas table, cake stands, or even a tiered tray, can work wonders for creating an impressive centrepiece that elevates your decorative display. 

Simply grab one out of your kitchen cupboards and layer on any Christmas decor you have to hand – be it candle votives, baubles, pine cones, tinsel, or ribbon. It's also a great way to make use of any decor you've not placed elsewhere around your house, or on your tree. 

4. Line up illuminated lanterns

Charming house lanterns are an ideal way to add interest and ambience to your Christmas table. The house structures add height to your tablescape science, which helps to balance the decor and add a sense of depth to prevent it from feeling too flat.

The candles inside are there to add warmth and a touch of intimacy, both key ingredients for a welcoming festive dinner table. Our advice is to use LED candles because they are safer and due to the fact they are concealed by the house they look even more realistic.

5. Use tapered candles in varying heights

Tapered candles are a brilliant Christmas centrepiece idea as they look effortlessly elegant and regal, but are inexpensive to buy and easy to assemble. Simply position a few individual candle holders across the middle of your table or place them inside a garland or a wreath for an equally lovely centrepiece look. 

Again, ensure they come in varying heights, to create a more dramatic and impressive effect. You can buy LED tapered candles that look just like the real thing, only safer and longer lasting.

6. Create a table runner using candles and foliage

Keep things simple by creating a table runner down the centre of your table using only green foliage and an assortment of candles. Stagger different height pillar candles to add interest to this simple centrepiece idea. 

For those who may feel a little nervous about using candles, and therefore having live flames at the dinner table (e.g. those with kids or pets), why not try the best flameless candles? Many of them are super-realistic and look just as lovely as real candles - so much so that we bet your guests won't even notice the difference. 

Of course, the big bonus is that they remove the fire risk –but they're also great in allowing you to move your centrepiece around as much as you like without worrying about burning yourself on a live flame.

7. Fill a glass jar with a candle and potpourri

This is a really simple idea but it can help you to create a really beautiful centerpiece. If you have a glass jar to hand (or even a vase), why not fill it up with festive foliage and decor items, such as pine cones – or some wintery-looking potpourri? Think dried orange and lemon slices, dried cinnamon sticks, and dried plants and flowers for a rustic look.

If you have the space, pop a candle into the middle when you're finished for an elegant and cosy effect to make your home feel cosy. 

8. Pop flameless candles inside Christmas wreaths

Use LED candles to elevate the presence of a festive wreath. Jess explains, "Using a Christmas wreath as a table centrepiece can also work well, and it's a great idea to team it with some candles." We would advise the use of flameless candles so near the foliage, to avoid any possible scorching. 

To create a really impressive look, why not place a few larger candles around the wreath? Alternatively, Jess Martin, decoration expert at Ginger Ray suggests, "Try placing a hurricane vase with a candle inside in the centre of your wreath to create a warm glow." Or to really impress your guests have a go at making your own using a DIY Christmas wreath-making kit.

9. Add decor to a tray for a chic minimalist look

For a fuss-free Christmas centrepiece idea, look no further. Centrepieces needn't be complicated – and to create a sleek, minimalist one, all you need to do is pop some of your favourite decor onto a simple tray. 

Create a festive look by spray-painting the tray silver or white (if it isn't already), and add whatever you have to hand such as dried fruit, mini Christmas trees, a festive candle, Christmas ornaments, some fairy lights, or even a few baubles. 

Containing it within the tray gives you an easy way to create a Christmas centrepiece without your decor spilling out of control across the table.

10. Create a 'deconstructed' wreath on a stylish platter

This Christmas centrepiece idea for the table couldn't be easier – grab a wooden platter or serving board and assemble a deconstructed wreath for an elegant and understated table decoration that welcomes a touch of nature to the table. 

All you need is some sprigs of foliage, some pine cones, and some dried fruit and plant items or potpourri. 

Scatter your items casually across the plate and place them in the middle of your table for a very low-maintenance idea. You could even replicate it with smaller decorative plates across other surfaces in your home.

11. Opt for a statement coloured table runner

Sometimes it can be more powerful to merely add colour than lots of fussy details, especially on a busy dining table where there's already a lot going on – so space is at a premium. 

For the less is more but still magnificent approach, add a vibrantly coloured table runner that commands attention down the middle of the dining area – the red carpet for any centrepiece trimmings, if you will.

"A table runner pulls together the whole dinner table look and should match the colour scheme of your napkins and candles," says Lucy, "and if you add matching placemats it will really complete the look."

12. Suspend foliage and decorations from above

If you're keen to use a gorgeous, bushy garland for your Christmas centrepiece, but are worried about having enough room at your dining table, why not suspend it above the table for a real show-stopper of a display? Jess explains how it can be much more practical to do this. 

She says, "Considering how people interact over the dinner table is really important – you don’t want to block any conversations. You can create a really dramatic look by using a metal table clamp to elevate a centrepiece without interfering with lines of sight." Or you can hang lightweight decorations from existing overhead pendant light hooks and fastens.

13. Intertwine foraged foliage and statuesque candles

Why not draw attention to your layered garland by creating differing lines of sight? An easy way to do this is to add tall candlesticks, which will add a bit of drama to a wreath that will mostly only be at table level. Opt for elegant and stylish candle holders that fit with the colour scheme of your wreath too, to create a coordinated look. 

"Evergreen plants like holly, fir, and berries, (all of which can be easily and cheaply purchased or cut from your garden) can be used as a table centrepiece set around and intertwined with two candles," says Lucy. 

"And you can continue this theme on your mantel-scaping as well so that it pulls the whole theme of your interior Christmas decorations together."

14. Drape your garland off the table for a luxury feel

For an added bit of drama, why not choose an oversized garland that will reach down to the floor? Gail Wetherell from Rebel Roses notes, "Foliage is a must for Christmas. By mixing different varieties, textures, and tones, you can easily create a 3D effective showstopper." 

Not only does it look amazing, but it'll extend your decor into the often-forgotten sides of your Christmas dining table. Jess tells w&h, "We love a faux foliage garland. They look great draped down the centre of a table and onto the floor and will last the whole festive period without shedding – and one with lights embedded into it can look even better."

15. Place a neutral table runner under your garland

If you're looking to add texture and layers to your Christmas centrepiece, drape your garland/foliage over a neutral table runner for a really put-together look. 

Handily, it'll also give you a good indication of how much space you have to play with when setting up the rest of your centerpiece, or for placing any candles along the middle of your table. It will also add a protective layer for your dining table too if you need to water the garland for instance.

16. Create a sophisticated display with white flowers

Creating a floral bouquet is one of the best ways to create a Christmas centrepiece—as it's incredibly striking and most obviously draws the eye to the table. 

"Flowers add a fun and surprising element to traditional Christmas decorations, as well as sweet scents around the table," explains Anna Eklöv, Founder of LÖV Letterbox Flowers. "I love to add a couple of large red roses, dark red calla lilies, or red Love-Lies-Bleeding (Amaranthus) in traditional-themed centrepieces, as well as natural-themed ones."

And if you'd prefer not to go for traditional red and white, but a more modern look? "For centrepieces in silver and white I would suggest sticking to white winter flowers such as delicate hellebore, snowberries, or white astilbe that I find resembles a pine branch covered in snow," suggests Anna.

17. Add Christmas candles to your flower arrangements

If floral displays will form the main part of your Christmas centrepiece, why not add an extra touch of delight by decorating them with candles to add ambience?  

Use traditional red roses to fill vases along the centre of the table, the exact number depends on how long your dining table is, of course, add a single white candle in each to create a classic red and white theme within your centrepiece. 

Place a few rose petals around the bottom of the jar to conceal a piece of florist's oasis that then becomes the base in which to secure both the rose stems and the candle – an easy DIY Christmas centrepiece that looks stunning for all settings.

18. Embrace a thinner, pared-back garland with a touch of sparkle

Of course, garlands as centrepieces don't need to be huge and oversized to make a statement. If you prefer a minimal look or don't have as much space at your table, why not use a thinner garland (we love the shimmery, sparkly look of this one), that's just as impressive but leaves a lot more room for your Christmas food and drink. 

19. Use fairy lights as your garland

Of course, fairy lights could even be assembled across your table in place of a garland too. Steph Briggs says, "Ensuring there is plenty of space for the food, wind delicate fairy lights across the table."

You can also add sparkle with some of those hero-piece tree decorations that will continue your theme." Gail added, "Twinkling fairy lights added to foliage can lift and brighten the whole centrepiece and stop it looking too “blocky” if you are only using one colour. Use warm white lights as others tend to have a blue tone to them"

20. Fill glasses and vases with baubles

This centrepiece idea is so simple, yet so effective for welcoming colour and festive cheer to the table. Use oversized glasses, vases, or even lanterns to take centre stage on the table to be filled with an assortment of Christmas baubles and decorative ornaments. 

To coordinate your decorating scheme use the same colour as your Christmas tree theme and then use that same colour for napkins, best luxury crackers, and table runners to enhance the overall look.

21. Fill mason jars with festive foliage

Mason jars are an excellent way to create a striking and cosy Christmas centrepiece inexpensively and with minimal effort. 

We love the idea of adding some seasonal foliage to the jars, such as berries and holly, to create a really festive look. Then, simply line them up together on top of a table runner for a DIY but beautiful centrepiece. 

22. Place candles in your mason jars

Of course, another way to jazz up mason jars so that they work as a Christmas centrepiece is to put candles inside them. Tea light candles are simple and inexpensive, but you could also try placing larger white candles in there too. 

If you want the candlelight to be further up the jar, why not pad it out with some faux snow, too, to create a really lovely look? Of course, using LED candles to ensure safety.

23. Put a candle on a wooden board alongside other decor items

Similar to our tray idea above, candles can look great as part of a centrepiece created on a wooden board or plank, such as this one. You can buy these wood slices from all good DIY retailers, and they're great for creating a festive centrepiece given how similar they look to the trunks of Christmas trees. 

Once you've got yours, add as many of your favourite candles as you like, and fill in the gaps with remaining Christmas decor such as mini Christmas trees, dehydrated fragrant orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.

24. Create a festive snowy mason jar for your centrepiece

Another way to elevate your mason jars so that they are Christmas centrepiece worthy is to adorn them with fake snow, so they look as though they've been left outside in a storm for too long. 

This is easy to do – simply apply a thin layer of glue around your mason jar, and combine your faux snow (you can buy this in most craft shops), with some glitter. 

Then, roll your mason jar in the snow and glitter mixture (do this quickly, before it dries!), and leave it to set. Decorate the jar with a bow and/or a label and you're good to go. 

25. Add Christmas candy to your centrepiece

If you have chosen mini Christmas trees to adorn your festive table, why not have a bit of fun with them and decorate them with festive candy? Candy canes, for example, are both delicious and aesthetically pleasing, creating a fun red and white theme within your centrepiece. 

You could hang them around the outside of your vase, as above, or place them at the bottom of the vase. Or, why not scatter them across the rest of your table, for a tasty treat at the end of your meal?

26. Have fun with on-trend paper decorations

Paper decorations are the new way to make an impact with Christmas decorations without overspending, plus they come in a variety of different colours to suit all schemes. 

Paper decorations such as these honeycomb paper balls are super easy to put, they simply fan out from the centre, and because they can be closed again they can be used year after year.

27. Add decorative Honeycomb trees

Pom poms are not the only paper decorations of choice, as the fabulous Red and Green Ombre Paper Honeycomb Tree Decorations by Talking Tables prove. Honeycomb paper decorations are an easy way to make an impact on the decor by adding colour and height to your table. 

Best of all these quirky decorations are affordable and can be used year after year, provided they don't get damaged. You simply fold them flat for super easy storage.

28. Curate a seasonal display with pinecones

Embrace the fruits of nature that are synonymous with the festive season. We are of course talking about pine cones, the seed-bearing cones instantly make you think of winter and Christmas garnishes. 

This simple Christmas table centrepiece idea sees a collection of rustic pinecones filling generously sized glass vessels. You can even create this centrepiece for free by foraging for pinecones that have fallen from nearby conifer trees. 

To keep the look authentically rustic you can leave them as they are, but to add a hint of festive sparkle you can dip them in glitter or metallic paint.

Planning a Christmas centrepiece – key considerations

Planning your Christmas centrepiece before you get started is a good idea, as it'll allow you to focus on your creative vision and not get lost in all the possible different possibilities. We asked the experts what the most important things are to remember when planning a Christmas centrepiece and what you might need before you get started. 

The good news is that having a simple focal point, like a box, tray or even a ready-made Christmas wreath is a great place to start and building out from there is a really simple and effective way to make an impact come Christmas Day. 

According to our interior experts, there are four key things to consider when planning a Christmas centrepiece:

• Building your centrepiece around one item: When it comes to planning, it can be helpful to base your centrepiece around one single item and build out from there. Jess Martin, decoration expert at Ginger Ray explains, “The simplest way to plan a Christmas centrepiece is to pick one piece you love and build the rest of the table around that. Whether that is a garland, a tablecloth, or some beautiful candles –choose other items that tie into those key colours."
• Decide on your colour palette first: In a similar vein, deciding on your colour palette beforehand can be very useful. Xander Shreenan, an interior designer at home décor brand Dowsing & Reynolds, says, “When it comes to planning centrepieces, a good place to start is with the colour palette you have chosen. Try to keep within this theme, and use textures and colours in the same palette for a unified look.” Start with a neutral shade, like sage green or navy, and build metallics, lights, and glitter on top.
• Consider the size of your space: Anna Eklöv, Founder of LÖV Letterbox Flowers, also noted that taking into account the size of your space is vital. "The main thing is to see what size and shape your centrepiece should be – and this depends on the size and shape of your table. Do you have a round table? In that case, your centrepiece should be round. If you have a long rectangular table, then you can either go with a long centrepiece, or two-three smaller ones depending on the length of the table."
• Don't obstruct the view: "Always consider conversation and how you will interact over the table," says Jess, "you never want to interrupt the line of sight no matter how fabulous the centrepiece!"

What do I need to create a Christmas centrepiece?

Of course, you can buy ready-made centrepieces, but if you’re keen to put together your own, there are a few essentials you should have to hand. Grab something to display yours on, like a vase or pretty plate (or just your tabletop), and then get ready to layer up the following items to create a wonderful, striking centrepiece. 

• Christmas wreath: This can easily be the main focal point around which to build your centrepiece. Just make sure you choose one that will fit on your table!
• Faux flowers: Flowers aren’t just for spring – pick the right colour palette and they’ll work beautifully for Christmas too. Think festive reds and greens.
• Fir cones and foilage: Bring the outdoors in with some seasonal greenery and festive fir cones.
• Garland: A green, bushy garland is a strong choice for a Christmas centrepiece or table decor in general. It works like a table runner and will fit perfectly down the centre of your table.
• Fairy lights: Nothing creates ambience like mood lighting, and for Christmas, twinkly fairy lights are perfect for conjuring up that magical, wintery feel.
• Candles: Of course, candles (preferably flameless ones for safety) are a must-have for your Christmas centrepiece – whether you choose some elegant tea lights or bigger, show-stopping candelabras.
• Christmas trees: For an extra festive touch you can’t go wrong with a smattering of Christmas trees on your table. And no, we’re not talking about the life-size ones – you can easily pick up miniature versions which will help you to create your winter wonderland.