Does anyone have ideas for inexpensive Holiday centerpieces?!
Answers: Its for a Corporate Holiday party and the idea of spending $40 for fresh flowers for 9 tables did not go over well with the party committee.So any less expensive ideas would be great to share with them.
Make them your self for a few dollars a table. Buy some inexpensive vases (tall, straight cylinders) at a dollar store, hot glue candy canes to the outside so the crook faces out and are at the top and they are right next to each other hiding all the glass. Then tie a piece of pretty ribbon (wide) around the vase and tie in a bow. Fill them with fresh pine.
You could also buy live poinsettias, they are inexpensive and ready to go. Or, buy pine wreathes to lay on the tables and put pillar candles in the centers. Another great idea is sugared fruit in pretty glass bowls. You can sugar it yourself or buy some artificial. Or fill large glass bowls with water, add some cranberries and float candles. You can lay sprigs of pine and more cranberries around the bases.
Check out www.womansday.com for lots of do-it-yourself, easy, and inexpensive holiday ideas.
Thanksgiving or Christmas?
At Christmas, or if you would like a more elegant centerpiece, gather fairly long, thin sticks. I try to find ones that are about 2-3 feet long. Spray paint them white. You can add a bit of glitter if you'd like. I have used old, clear florists containers (ones with fairly wide mouths) - put some of that pretty iridescent streamer stuff from the party-supply store in the jar, and then add several of the painted branches. If you can't find enough clear containers, try using any kind of container (large coffee cans, anything) and wrap the containers with pretty tissue (kind of like florists wrap their pots, just bunch the paper up around the container, tie with curling ribbon or any other kind of ribbon that you like. To dress up the area under the "arrangement" think about scattering some of that fake snow stuff, or more of the iridescent streamers or confetti. If it has a little sparkle, it will catch your lowered light and look very pretty.
homemakingcottage.com
sometimes I just go in the woods and find different things to use and maybe buy some stuff and then use your imagination
Something cheap that will sit on a mirror....that's all I got. Find a hobby lobby or michaels
Medium sized glass containers filled with mini tree ornaments. At the right stores this should be no more than five dollars.
A cupcake stand with holiday cupcakes. Dessert and centerpiece in one.
Candles. Very inexpensive at the right place.
Go introduce yourself to your local nursery's. Tell them of your Corporate function and ask them if they would/could be willing to donate poinsetta's. Tell them that you would/could send them a formal letter detailing of your plans for the plants. If they don't agree then buy them yourself, out of company $ of course and put them in the little bags from the $tree near you. Thats what we are going to do for our Annual Board meeting and Holiday Brunch. Good Luck!
Get some triangle shaped floral foam and stick candies or berries in to the foam to make a xmas tree shape. You can get bulk lolly pops or anything that has something you can insert into the foam, and then they can pick the lollies off while sitting at the table.
At city hall we made our own. WAIT! $40 for 9 tables? That will not cut it. Check out ideas on the Internet. Can go to Michaels, sometimes Jo Ann Crafts. Last year we did hurricane lamps with a candle in the middle and put Christmas bulbs and pine leaves around the bottom of the lamp and then placed it on a round mirror. That cost us $15 for each table. We drew for the centerpieces.
I would do something simple and cheap like cinnamon scented candles, with pine cones and holly around it.
Here are some ideas I've used in the past:
1. Poinsettias that have been sprinkled with glitter
2. Clear glass bowls with colored Christmas balls
3. Boughs with pinecones and white candles
To honor other beliefs, include symbols of their faiths in your table settings as well.
Fruit as a centerpieces is both seasonal and non-religion related. You could also get glass bowls, put in a white candle, fill with water and fresh cranberries.
You could try scented pine cone center peices. Have thick read or white candles surrounded by scented mini-pinecones, or a variety of white candles. Maybe even some "snow" on top of these.
Have a centerpiece contest – 9 teams total (or total amount of tables), teams sign up prior, make up some rules and regulations, say 3 members per team, can’t spend more than $50 total, etc., designate a secret judging panel, And the team that wins receives a holiday bonus. EVERYONE WANTS A HOLIDAY BONUS!
Afterwards, people may want to gift them or throw them in the trash. Just like the holidays.
Let me know how it turns out.