Pages

Tips For Creating Original Holiday Centerpieces

By Crystal Salazar


Candles and flowers placed upon a table make any occasion feel special. However, when entertaining guests these are not the only option. There are lots of exciting materials that can be pressed into use in a variety of ways to create eye catching holiday centerpieces. The efforts of a host who adds a personal, quirky touch to their decorations will not go unnoticed.

There is no need to be overly extravagant. The 'less is more' approach can be extremely effective. A single bloom borne upon a graceful arching stem can be more appealing than a fussy collection of flowers. When matched by similarly minimalist table linen, perhaps scattered with the occasional petal here and there, this can add a note of sophistication to the proceedings.

Flowers do not have to be arranged in vases, which can often cause visual interference across the dining room. Oasis foam can be used to create floral arrangements that sit beneath eye level, whilst still keeping blooms fresh for a number of days. Additional decorations, such as candles, baubles and ribbons, can also be secured to the foam. Another trick is to use shallow bowls of water and to simply float loose flowers cut from the stem upon the surface.

If flowers are not readily available, artfully arranged bare twigs can be a visually interesting alternative. They can be left as they are to achieve a natural look, or they can be painted to match a given theme. It is possible to attach dried flowers, paper decorations, ribbons and even small wrapped sweets depending upon the nature of the celebration.

Making use of seasonal fruit and vegetables is an original approach to decorating dinner tables. Pumpkins, gourds and squashes can all be hollowed out and used as candlestick holders or indeed as containers for flowers. Cramming transparent bowls and vases with carefully arranged slices of fruit, or even whole fruits, can also look very effective.

Natural treasures such as pine cones or smooth round pebbles can be brought to the table. Even a piece of driftwood, carved by the ocean currents, can form the basis of a centerpiece. This may be supplemented with seashells and a few simple candles. Natural greenery, such as ivy, yew and holly, should not be overlooked. These lend themselves to making garlands and wreaths or can be used to add bulk and contrast to a flower arrangement.

With a little imagination almost anything can be transformed into a decorative and unusual centerpiece. However, it is important not to get too carried away as there are some practical points to consider. It will be necessary to give thought to the placement of stemware and serving platters. Ensure also that the centerpiece does not dominate the table. Guests should be able to talk and move freely. They should not have to peer around decorations or limit their movements for fear of knocking them over.

There is no shortage of ideas for creating unique holiday centerpieces. Plenty of inspiration can be found from websites and magazines dedicated to home design. For those who either lack time or creative flair, it is possible to buy ready made arrangements suitable for all manner of occasions.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Post a Comment