Easy Make Table Centerpieces & Decorations

Centerpieces not only decorate a party table, but also give your guests an easy conversation starter if they aren't familiar with one another. Floral shops can create beautiful centerpieces for your next gathering, but it will cost you a pretty penny. You can purchase pre-made centerpieces from a party supply store, but many of those aren't very elegant. Make your own simple centerpieces to save money and add a touch of class to the tables at your next event.

Instructions

Candle light

1

Measure around the top of a small glass jar. Cut a length of one or more ribbons. Make each ribbon 6 inches longer than the jar's circumference.

2

Gather the ribbons together with the ends lined up. Tie the ribbons around the jar at the point where you measured. Tie the ribbons in a double knot, having someone else hold the first knot with her finger while you tie the second if necessary.

3

Fill the bottom inch of the jar with rice. Place a small pillar candle in the jar so the bottom 1/2 inch of the candle is down in the rice.

Flowers

4

Remove the labels from some tin cans. Soak the cans in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to help remove the stubborn glued-down parts of the label. Use a scratchy pad to scrub off the rest of the label.

5

Set the cans on the counter to drip dry. Paint the outside of the cans with acrylic paint once they are dry. You can paint them a solid color or create a fun pattern. Let the paint dry completely.

6

Gather fresh flowers from your yard or a floral shop. Trim the flowers down to the proper length for the cans being used. Fill the can with some water and arrange the flowers in the cans.

Event-specific

7

Place a large, glass hurricane globe in the center of the table.

8

Fill the hurricane with event-appropriate items. Use glass ball ornaments for a Christmas party, pine cones for an outdoor fall wedding, or rose petals and a candle for a formal wedding.

9

Arrange a few of the same types of items used to fill the hurricane container around the base of the globe.