This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement for details.
An easy DIY centerpiece idea for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Fresh greenery and a basic cake plate are all you need! Use pinecones and ornaments to add the colors of the season.
As most of you know, I don’t enjoy a DIY project that’s difficult or time-consuming, and I love it when I already have most of the items needed to create something new. In this case, the only thing I purchased for this DIY centerpiece idea were the little fabric ornaments. Everything else was gathered from around my house and yard.
What you need
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- cake plate (sources at end of the post)
- 4 inch wide candle
- 2 types of greenery (fresh or faux, small snips)
- tape
- pine cones
- small ornaments
- scissors or pruners
Simple Assembly Steps
- Begin by placing the candle in the middle of the cake plate.
- Place the first type of greenery around the edge of the cake plate, adhering the stems with tape as you go.
- Gently tuck in the second type of greenery.
- When both types of stems are in place on the cake plate, nestle the pine cones and ornaments into the greenery.
Tips + Tricks
- I knew in my head that this idea was going to work…but I ran into a slight issue getting the greenery to stay on the cake plate! I began by simply laying the little stems around the cake plate circle, like the spokes on a wheel. They stayed in place until I started placing the pine cones and ornaments. It was then that I ran into trouble!
- With the placement of each pine cone or ornament, the greenery moved and fell off. I decided I had to adhere the greenery to the cake plate, without damaging it.
- The simplest option I could think of was regular scotch tape. And it worked! As I placed each sprig of boxwood, I stuck a piece of tape over the stem. (See the image below.)
- After I got a circle of boxwood adhered to the cake plate, I was able to tuck the cypress stems right under the boxwood.
- Because the candle is very close to the greenery, it’s important to make sure the greenery isn’t in the way of the flame…and please don’t leave this centerpiece unattended. Another option is to use an LED battery operated candle.
- Other options for the cake plate are a round wood slice, a charger plate, a large round platter or tray, or a round placemat.
- Even if you use fresh greenery for this DIY centerpiece idea, it’s fine to make it in advance of when you need it. It will stay fresh for several days. I made the centerpiece featured in this post a week ago, and it still looks great.
- This idea can be used for Thanksgiving, and then quickly adapted for Christmas by switching out the muslin ornaments for something red and festive.
This is an idea that you can take and make your own. An ivy garland instead of the greenery clippings would be beautiful. Instead of pine cones, substitute large nuts still in the shells. There are no rules, and anything goes!
Additional sources
- wood cake plate
- wood cake plate with dome
- set of 3 wood cake plates
- footed round wood plate
- blue striped towels with fringe
- ivory table runner
- small wood boards
- Liberty Blue teacups
Wrapped With A Bow
Unlock the art of beautiful gift wrapping with this free guide,
and turn every present into a magical moment this Christmas!
We got our tabletop tree set up with some help from my older grandchildren and they also got some of our outdoor garlands wreaths ect down from the loft in the barn.
The house is empty of company today and I’m slowly putting away my fall decor.
The tree is new and looks beautiful just with pre attached lights and I may just leave it like it is. Whatever way the wind blows. What I do notice is how much longer everything takes me.😊 Hope your weekend was a good one and that you get a nice break for Christmas with your daughter hosting. My daughter did Thanksgiving dinner and it was so relaxing.
Ann,
Your recent post about going neutral hit home for me. I really like the color of your dining room walls. Would you mind sharing what colors you used?
Thanks,
Sarah
Hi Sarah…here is the information on the paint colors. Good luck! https://www.onsuttonplace.com/on-sutton-place-paint-colors/
Such an easy project and I love all the naturals.
So pretty Ann. I like the tea cups addition too.
It’s so pretty, Ann! I can’t believe how simple it because it’s really lovely… :-)
What a beautiful centrepiece and so many ideas. Thanks for sharing.
As usual your instructions are clear and easy. Thanks so much for this idea. What I need ASAP is a post on filling a hanging empty plastic basket from summer (the white kind is what I have) with greens to hang for Christmas and winter. My husband wants to do that. We bought a nice artificial garland that has pine cones and berries with the greens. Please consider doing this. Thanks so much.
Hi Nancy! My post schedule is already set until the end of the year…but I think if you just lay the garland in the basket, winding it in a circle, it should work. To give it more depth, let some of the garland hang over the edges. Happy Holidays!
What a wonderful idea! I have a dark wire cake platter languishing in a closet that requires painting, then it is ivy leaves (I have a gajillion) and a candle…..for the ornaments, I may do wool covered balls, neutral for Thanksgiving, and my grandmothers fancy sequined balls for Christmas. You have really got me going now, thank you!