There’s a reason that many of our holiday celebrations center around a meal. It’s a time to enjoy conversation with your loved ones, as well as a festive spread. If you are hosting Christmas dinner or another holiday feast this year, you can set the tone for a merry meal with festive holiday tablescaping, complete with a DIY holiday centerpiece.

If your holiday to-do list is already longer than Santa’s “nice” list, don’t worry! These easy DIY holiday centerpiece ideas can be put together in just a few minutes with supplies that you may already have, or with holiday décor items that can be easily purchased and reused for years to come.

How can I make a simple Christmas centerpiece?

Just scroll through Pinterest, and you’ll see that there are endless ways to decorate your table for Christmas. So how do you narrow it down and choose something that you can actually accomplish—without taking too much time, hassle and money? First, it helps to narrow down the style. Consider what type of meal you are hosting. Is it a fancy and formal affair, or a casual and comfortable meal? Next, you should factor in the style of your dining space, your dining table and the rest of your holiday décor. This should give you an idea of a theme for your centerpiece: elegant, whimsical, rustic, eclectic or other.

The following centerpiece ideas can be created with your theme in mind, helping set the tone for your meal—whether it’s formal, casual or something in between. And when in doubt, add a string of clear Christmas lights. Trust us!

Oh, Christmas Tree

The magic of Christmas trees isn’t reserved just for your living room. Place a small tabletop artificial Christmas tree on your dining table to create a stunning centerpiece for your Christmas meals, from Grandma’s breakfast egg bake to a ham dinner and all the holiday pies. A mini potted tree is a classic holiday accent, and you can jazz it up with some favorite ornaments and, of course, lights. For a more modern look, try a metal tree sculpture; or choose a rustic design like an iron spiral tree for your farmhouse table and casual holiday spread. You can skip the tree skirt and use a festive table runner in its place. A simple gold, silver or red table runner can complement a green tree; and a plaid table runner looks great with most casual designs.

Most tabletop trees are 12 – 60-inches in height, and you should choose one on the smaller side for your centerpiece. You can also move the tree to a counter or sideboard as your guests are seated, so you can still see over to each other as you consume and converse.

Tree Table Topper

Another option for a DIY Christmas centerpiece skips the tree entirely. Instead, you can top off your holiday table with a creative centerpiece featuring a favorite tree topper. Choose your preferred tree topper, from sparkling stars to rustic rattan stars; or opt for a tree topper angel to watch over your holiday feast. You can place a few small ornaments, holiday stems or a small piece of garland around the tree topper to add texture and complete the look.

Bowl of Baubles

If the number of branches available on your tree is unmatched by your love of ornaments, you can display some of your favorite ornaments piled up on a holiday tray or placed in a bowl at the center of your table. For an extra easy display, simply purchase a set of assorted round ornaments in silver or gold; or try champagne for an understated and elegant look. For a rustic yet charming look, choose a selection of ornaments, focusing on texture. Rattan ball ornaments, cotton and jute rope balls, and cloth ball ornaments can add variety to your casual display.

If you want a conversation starter, choose an eclectic mix of ornaments or pick ornaments in a non-traditional Christmas color, such as purple or bright pink. You can even add your own personalized touch by getting out the hot glue gun and your craft supplies. Wrap plain ornaments in ribbon, tinfoil, yarn or twine—depending on the look you want to create. Once you’re done, simply pour the ornaments into a clear bowl, place the bowl in the center of your table, and wait for your guests to gather around!

Wrapped with a Wreath

A wreath is a wonderful decoration for your door, but it can also make great tabletop décor. Just position a favorite wreath in the center of your table. Choose from traditional styles with realistic looking branches that are perfect for formal settings, or rustic designs with pinecones and berries for a country vibe. Are you serving a non-traditional holiday meal? A holiday ball ornament wreath can add a bright focal point for your contemporary table. To complete your holiday centerpiece, place an odd number of candles (try three or five) of varying heights in the center of the wreath. Choose candles in the same color scheme: white or gold candles carry an elegant look, while red candles are a classic choice for Christmas.

Bountiful Berry and Branch Bouquets

Create your own Christmas bouquet with your favorite holiday stems. For a celebratory look that will last through multiple holiday parties, try faux stems such as berry stems, birch branches, eucalyptus stems, poinsettia stems and holly sprays. Choose realistic looking branches or stylized options that will add a little sparkle to your floral arrangement. The important thing for either style is to let variety and texture fill your arrangement. For instance, faux stems that feature metallic, silver, copper and/or gold leaves can be mixed with other branches, flowers and berries to add a festive feel with a side of glam to your holiday dinner centerpiece.

Looking for a twist on a traditional bouquet? Choose several clear jars or vases, fill them almost to the brim with water, and submerge your holly stems fully in the water. (You can cut branches and stems, as needed, to fit in your jars.) Add a few floating candles for extra pizazz!

Personalized Touches

This final idea can be combined with centerpieces to help complete your jovial tablescape. Add a personalized touch for each of your guests to make the evening extra memorable. For instance, you can use a wine glass at each place with a favorite ornament in the glass to tell a mini story that is different for each guest at the table. One guest could have a tall wine glass with a mercury glass snowman on a soft pile of snow, while the next guest may have a Santa story, or a truck with tree ornament for a rustic choice.

Once you’ve decided on a holiday centerpiece and other tablescaping decor, don’t wait. Go ahead and set it up now. You can enjoy the holiday décor in the weeks prior to your big hosting turn, and it will reduce stress on the day before and day of your holiday dinner.

Need more holiday décor ideas and decorating tips? Read our blog posts for help choosing the perfect artificial Christmas tree, decorating your tree like a pro, and decorating your entryway.