Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece or Table Decoration, Ready in 15 Minutes:
To get you in the mood for a little holiday decorating, I’m sharing a super easy and inexpensive decorating idea. In fact, this is so simple and easy to do, you could create it the day of your holiday party or family gathering in just 15 minutes using a few items available at the grocery store and from your yard. Ya gotta love that!
To make this table decoration or centerpiece, you’ll need a glass container or vase, some small oranges, small green apples, red berries and a little greenery.
You can use tangerines instead of regular oranges. That’s what I did since they were a deeper orange color. Also, you can substitute limes for the green apples, if you like…or use cranberries instead of berries from the yard. My nandina had very few berries this year…not sure why. I had just barely enough to create the arrangement.
For greenery, if you put up a fresh tree each year, save the scraps that you cut off from the bottom. Or, ask for extra scraps when you are purchasing your tree. If you have artificial trees (like I do now) visit one of the places that sells the fresh trees and ask for their scraps. They are always happy to share since the scraps are just going to get mulched or burned up anyway. Also, Home Depot sell “boughs” in bundles for reasonable prices.
This arrangement doesn’t have water inside, so your greenery may only last 2-3 days. It is best put together the morning you wish to use it. It’s super fast and easy and only took me 15 minutes.
I used a glass container I already had. It measures approximately 7 inches wide and 14 inches tall. I used 9 small green apples, 11 small tangeries and all the berries I could find on my sparse nandinas.
Just layer your apples (or limes) in the bottom. Add your berries next and top it off with your oranges. You could mix the layers however you wish…so play around with it. Then just add your greenery to the top. I also tucked a few magnolia leaves under the bottom.
So easy, inexpensive, and beautiful! And done in 15 minutes!
Susan, this is wonderful! It's just beautiful. . . and it would be so simple to put together. Thank you for the inspiration!! And thanks for the invitation to your December 6 linky party–won't that be fun? I look forward to it. 🙂
Wow, this is stunning! I just love this idea. I bet it smells divine. I am going to tweet about this…I am a new twitter-er and am loving it!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
PS Your new blog design is stunning! It's very "you".
xo
This is so pretty and classic…I think I might steal this idea for my foyer table myself. I will probably use limes (faux) and maybe some oranges studded w/cloves for a delicious smell when you come in the house.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Judy
Just Beautiful Susan! I bet it smells wonderful!
Susan, this creates a stunning centerpiece. You could really change this around for any occassion. I like your new header also.
Looking forward to your Linky Party on Dec. 6th.
Crystal
Susan,
Thank you for the invitation to Deck the Halls. . .I'm adding it to my planner! Your post today was gorgeous with the bright orange tangerines! In my Traditional Christmas themed room I use fruit in my trees. Hm~m~m~m . . .wonder if I could work that arrangement in somewhere? I'll be waiting with anticipation for more encouraging and inspiring post to get me in the Holiday mood!
Fondly,
Pat
A 15 minute centerpiece is my kind of thing, and I like this one because all the "ingredients" are so accessible.
Susan, thanks so much for this tutorial. I will try this one. It sounds so easy and it is breathtaking. So is the view of you staircase.
I pray that you are enjoying your newfound freedom.
Hugs, Ginger
Wow! That is a great idea and so simple. Just the kind of arrangement I can handle! Checking out the cabinets for a vase….
Nice work. I will be by for the Dec. 6th party.
Howdy Susan!
May you have a terrific Thanksgiving Day. I can't hardly believe Turkey Day is in a few days. It took me by surprise.
Like your idea here with glass container and fruit, berries, sprigs. Very pretty and practical!
God bless.
Hope your time at home is refreshing and uplifting.
Just about ready to deck the Halls,
d from homehaven
Simple, yet beautiful arrangement. Thanks for sharing with us.
Your lovely arrangement is completely doable and would look wonderful on the table in our entry. Thanks so much.
Hi Susan! Oh, how beautiful this is and you're right! It should be very easy to create! Love the color of the fruit and berries! Just so pretty! I'm in love with your half round table and mirror too!
I've been so busy and when I came here I thought I was at another blog! What a cute new header! I love it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Love it! We are "taking" Thanksgiving to my eldest son in Park City this year, and we'll be staying in a relative's condo. This will be an inexpensive, easy creation for the table. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Wow! This project is on my to-do list. I love it!
Susan this is beautiful. I will certainly have to add it to my list of arrangements for Christmas.
Very pretty and creative, Susan.
Susan !! it is wonderful!! I love the oranges mixed with the greens!
What a beautiful & quick arrangement that just says "Welcome" to anyone who sees it.
CAS
How lovely! I've always loved tangerines — we used to get an orange, tangerine, apple and candy canes in our stockings growing up — I always traded everybody for the tangerines. What a simple and elegant arrangement.
Susan, so simple but beautiful! This is my style girl. The great thing about it – no water, no waste on the fruit. I hope to link up on December 6th. You've put the pressure on me. 🙂 I will have only a week to get it together – since I will just have gotten back from vacation. But, I'm going to try and give it a whirl. :)) Have a great Thanksgiving.
~K
Hi Susan,
Great holiday decor idea. Thanks for sharing it with us. I was wondering if you are having a tablescape thursday next week on Thanksgiving. I would like to participate if you. Also I was wondering if you could answer a question for me – can I place a picture on my blog from a magazine? I wanted to do a post on a christmas tree I saw in a magazine but I am not sure I can use the picture even if I say where I got the picture. Thanks for your time.
Hugs,
Carey
Hi again,
I just read that you are having TT next week. Thanks
Carey
It is stunning and looks so elegant sitting on your table…Job well done
Kelsie
I wish I had magnolia leaves, they add so much!
I won't have my house decked out by Dec 6. I just start then!
Your centerpiece is lovely!
I'm going to have to buy more ink for my printer because I keep printing all these wonderful ideas you keep posting!
This is beautiful! thank you!
Mary
From Virginia
You are a girl after my own heart….this is how I love to make arrangements! Or just with a variety of evergreens.
Happy Thanksgiving…
This is a great centerpiece! Love anything that is easy and looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing your wonderful creativity.
just fabulous, love the styling and looking foward to your deck the halls party
LOVE, love this!!! There are endless possibilities! I saved the party button and am going to go try to put it on my blog!!!!! I hope I can do it:):) XO, Pinky
I really loved this one, it has all my favorite colors!
That's very pretty. Arrangements like this look so fresh and inviting.
I've never been able to arrange flowers or make any type of floral centerpiece, but I think even I could do this one. It's simple and lovely. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Susan, I love the simplicity of your arrangement, it's just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful week and a blessed Thanksgiving Day!
Hugz,
Kim
Simple but beautiful! I can't wait to make it!!!! Thanks, Susan!
XO,
Jane
This is a great idea, simple and sweet! xx
Hello Susan,
this a is great center piece and a wonderful decoration. I love when decorations haven't to store at the end but can be eaten. So it doesn't effort extra costs. Really great.
Thank you for sharing.
Greetings, Johanna
Beautiful idea,and blog!!!
Kisses from Croatia,Zondra Art
Thank you for sharing this idea! I have most of this in my yard or kitchen!
Have a nice weekend.
Teresa
Simple and so pretty. We don't always have to go overboard do we.
By the way someone stole your banner and replaced it with a new one. Did you know that? Oh. It was you. Very nice.
LOVE it!!! It looks so elegant!
Suzanne
Oh, this is gorgeous, and especially appropriate for our home since we're from South Florida. I LOVE it!! Thank you for the invite too. Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing so many things to help make our homes beautiful!
~ Julie
This is a very creative use of things we all have on hand. Always looking for a quick fix. Love your Blog, and look forward to seeing it everyday.
First, let me start by saying I love the look of your new blog layout! The header is so nice! (envy envy envy). Second, I love the decoration for the holiday. The fruit and the greenery is great.So inexpensive without giving up style. Thanks so much for sharing and I'm going to link up for the Deck The Halls party.
Cheryl at My Own Snug Fireside
Hi Susan. first of all your new appearance (I mean your blog's)is very cute… simple and its like a cheerful sunny day…Lovely…
Your idea of arrangement is just stunning, so simple yet elegant and you are right just in 5 minutes but how much colourful it is…
Thanks for sharing such a nice and fragrance full idea
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah
I really love this project – so gorgeous, yet so simple. The rich color of the tangerines look beautiful next to the evergreens.
I'm going to share with my readers on Facebook – they'll love this too!
I'm going back to my Holiday decorating now (as it appears you are doing this weekend too).
Be well.
Beautiful centerpiece! I just love fresh fruit for the holidays on display (so green!)
I have added your button for the upcoming Dec 6th holiday party, thanks for providing as it will serve also as an additional reminder for ME~
God Bless,
julie
Yep. I am headed to the basement right now. To. Do. This.
Thank you Susan, for a great inspiration!
Such a brilliant idea and just about everyone can gather the materials to do it. Thank You!
Stunning display Susan and so quick & easy to make (I hope!)
Like so many others I shall be stealing this idea from you this holiday season.
I've taken your blog button for my sidebar, but not sure if I'll have even started my decorating by then.
Maybe I'll cheat and use pix from last year.
Maggie
So nice to see you Tuesday! Sorry I missed the lunch. I think the Governor should have us decorate his mansion, next year, don't you? LOL
This is a great idea and one I will keep in my back pocket!
Looks gorgeous! I am going to try it out for my dinining table.Nice blog!
Okay, it’s 3 years later…… and since I only found you this year, I’ve never seen this post before! What a great idea that is super simple and inexpensive. I hope you will be notified of this ‘new’ email because I want to thank you for showing your lovely demilune table and the stairway. How gorgeous they both are! You were the first blog I found, I’m a bit slow! And you are still my favorite. If you are spending this holiday with your son, please do not put that on your site anywhere, we don’t want any robbers or break-ins while you are away! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year….Vicki in Louisville KY
Thanks, Vicki! Appreciate those kind words! You are a sweetheart! Have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas! XO
Loved the arrangement as I have the glass container!! Also, love the table. Is it an antique or family piece?
Thanks, Kathy! No, I think it’s a reproduction of an older piece, though. I bought it new about 20 years ago. It’s by Councill Craftsman. They may have gone out of business, seems like I read that a few years ago.