Creating a beautiful Christmas tablescape does not have to be stressful or expensive. With just a few items from Dollar Tree and Michaels, you can create this fun and festive Christmas table centerpiece for under $20. I’ve also included a FREE place card printable to match the centerpiece.

                                                                                                                                    

Seasonal Scapes Under $20 Series

 If you read my About Page, you saw that I am obsessed with dishes and tablescapes. Rather than show you tablescapes with dishes and decor that I have purchased over the years, I thought that it would be fun and more practical to create new tablescapes anyone can easily put together. The best part is that it will cost under $20 with seasonal items I find at discount stores like Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels.

How To Make A DIY Christmas Table Centerpiece

This beautiful Christmas tablescape is all about the simple DIY centerpiece I made using candles, scrapbook paper, and garland. Let me show you how to make this centerpiece for your Christmas tablescape! 

MATERIALS:                                                                                                      

• 5 sheets of Faux Wood Scrapbook Paper – Michaels – $1.95*  
• 9′ Pine Garland – Michaels – $3.00*
• Jute Pinecone Garland – Michaels – $10* 
• 5 Candles – Dollar Tree – $5
• Wire Cutters
• Scotch Tape
• Scissors

Grand Total: $19.95

Optional Materials: Extra Pinecones, Fresh Clippings from Seasonal Plants, Cinnamon Sticks, Glue Gun

*Everything from Michaels was 50% off. The prices listed are with the discount.

(My pic doesn’t show all of the candles and scrapbook paper because I didn’t purchase enough on my first shopping trip.) 

First, if you are using a tablecloth or table runner, you will need to put that on your table. Then, spread the pine garland on your table in a zig-zag pattern. Place the chargers, plates, or placemats you will be using at the ends of your table. This will allow you to see how much garland you will need to cut off. This can get messy so I do not recommend setting your entire table at this point.

 I cut 3 feet off of my pine garland. You will need to cut off more or less based on the size of your table. Keep the piece you cut off to use for filler.

After that, place the pretty jute pine cone garland into the not so pretty pine garland. I forgot to take a picture but it’s easy to do.

Next, cut each sheet of scrapbook paper into 8″x 7 1/2″ pieces. Now, wrap the scrapbook paper around the candle and secure the paper using a few pieces of tape. So simple!!!

Place one candle in the center of the table and space the rest of the candles out evenly down the table. I alternated the candles using an in and out pattern. (This pic was before I bought more scrapbook paper.)

Using the wire cutters, cut the extra garland into pieces and fill in the open areas. I also clipped some fresh holly leaves from one of my bushes and used that as well.

Adding other natural elements such as pinecones or fresh clippings from seasonal plants will definitely spruce up your fake garland.

Once you have the centerpiece complete, you can set your table. I had to get the vacuum out and clean the mess I made off of the table. 

Place Cards

I took pictures of the garland I was using and sent it to my graphic designer Kimberley. She made place cards that match perfectly! You can get your FREE Christmas tablescape place cards at the end of this post.

I printed the place cards and glued them in between two cinnamon sticks. If you do not want to use cinnamon sticks to hold your place card, you can use a pine cone as I did in this Thanksgiving Tablescape, or just tent it.

Christmas Tablescape

For a simple, casual table I used my white IKEA dishes and some informal grey napkins for the place settings. I also clipped some more holly to put on the salad plates.

As you have probably heard me say, I think owning a set of white dishes is a must. There are so many ways you can create beautiful tablescapes without having a closet full of dishes and spending a lot of money. It took me a long time to figure this out!

My style has definitely changed over the last few years. These days I really love keeping things simple.  

Make It Your Own

 If this is too casual for you, don’t be afraid to make it your own with things you already have. You can dress things up by adding a small inexpensive dessert plate or your favorite Christmas dishes and changing the napkin.

I swapped out 2 of the candles for my Pier 1 reindeer that I purchased a few years ago. They made an appearance in my holiday home tour post last year. I also added some fairy lights I had from last year’s Thanksgiving tablescape. 

Pier 1 does not have the exact reindeer I have anymore, but they do have some that are very similar, and they are on clearance right now.

The napkins were from Target several years ago, and the plates are from Home Goods. I bought them two years ago to give to my daughter as a present. I loved them so much I decided to keep them. 🙂

It’s so pretty at night with the candles lit! You would never know the candles were wrapped in scrapbook paper. 

I took the pic below when I first started working on the table. I had to take out the fairy lights because they put the centerpiece over $20. The centerpiece definitely works without them but if your budget allows, you can find them at Hobby Lobby for $5 when they are 50% off.

 Here’s a quick look back at how this beautiful Christmas DIY centerpiece evolved!

 I absolutely love it! I can’t wait to eat dinner with my family and friends! What do you think? Will you be trying a DIY centerpiece for your Christmas tablescape? 

Don’t forget to grab your FREE place cards!