DIY Holiday Centerpieces

A coworker of mine was complaining at work that she spent $60 each for several holiday centerpieces. I just kept my mouth shut. Later, she happened to come by my home and saw mine. She was asking where I bought mine and how much it was. She was shocked to learn I made it and did not have to buy a thing to do it. I just used what I had on hand.

Mine are different each year, but never involve expense. Be creative. Browse magazines or Pinterest to get ideas, then look around your house to see what you have on hand. Think outside the box. Jewelry, such as fake pearls or costume beads can become garland.

For these two, I used items I already had, an antique dough bowl, small cedar branches I clipped from one of our trees, some old gold garland, some red plastic berries, and some old plastic poinsettas that I got at a thrift store over 20 years ago, a few peacock feathers from a neighbor's birds, and an antique coffee pot. The candles I just moved from another area of the house.

This year on a gift I received, there was a rather long 1/2 inch wide red ribbon. I saved it and it will be used in a future centerpiece for Valentine's Day, July 4, or next Christmas.