A DIY table centerpiece is a beautiful way to add a personal touch to holiday celebrations. It may seem like a lot of effort but can be done very simply without spending any money at all.
When it comes to holiday table decor ideas, natural is best. No one knows this better than designer Joanna Gaines, who has long championed natural holiday decorations that can be made using materials from the garden. Her latest design is so quick and easy, it can be achieved in less than 30 minutes. Its stunning natural simplicity lends itself to any celebratory event over the holiday season.
In a recent Instagram video, the designer revealed that when she first opened Magnolia in 2003, she used to sell fresh florals and did weddings for some of her customers. “I’ve always loved doing arrangements,” she says.
While flowers may be the obvious choice for a natural table centerpiece, they can be expensive and unsustainable if bought out of season. So, to create her Thanksgiving table centerpiece this week, Joanna Gaines challenged herself to only use foliage foraged from the garden.
“I was in the mood to do an arrangement for the table for Thanksgiving this week,” explains Gaines. “I wanted to go to the florist, but I wanted also to stay in my PJs, so I decided to challenge myself and go outside and cut stems from all over the farm.”
How to Get the Look
Whether you’re looking to make a last-minute Thanksgiving centerpiece, festive display, or decor for a New Year’s feast, here’s how to recreate the idea with minimal fuss.
1. Forage Stems From the Garden
Collect foliage from any evergreen trees and shrubs in your garden. Select disease-free stems with lush foliage and berries. Good choices include holly, pine, eucalyptus, juniper, spruce, arborvitae, and cypress.
Don’t be afraid to mix it up with different colors and leaf types. “I always like to add different tones and textures,” says Gaines. “Like I love this little magnolia stem. I feel like it's super-saturated, so it adds more impact, a little more depth of color, but that mixed with those really pretty blue spruce stems and these tiny little ligustrum berries.”
As well as foliage and plants with winter berries, you can add an accent with vibrant stems, such as dogwood, and architectural seed heads, while herbs such as rosemary can make the display more aromatic.
When cutting your foliage, use sharp pruning shears and wear gloves to protect your hands.
2. Choose a Container
Any waterproof vase or upcycled container will work. If it’s not watertight, you can line it with a plastic bag or smaller pot that fits inside. Gaines inserted smaller pots into rustic vintage urn-style planters.
When choosing a planter as a table centerpiece, ensure it doesn’t overwhelm the size of the table, and that the height won’t block off conversation across the table. A low, wide vessel is best.
3. Add Structural Support
To provide structure to her foliage arrangement, Gaines added chicken wire to her pot, and pushed steam through the holes. Alternatively, you could use floral foam or moss, which will both hold moisture and help hold the shape of your display.
If not using floral foam or moss, then fill the container with water. This will need to be refreshed every few days over the holiday season to ensure a long-lasting display.
4. Make Your Arrangement
Using stems cut to different lengths, layer the foliage, starting with larger branches for structure and adding smaller sprigs to fill gaps. Don’t overthink it, as a relaxed approach is more natural.
“I just started putting the branches in it to create a really pretty asymmetrical yet dramatic arrangement for the table,” explains Gaines. “I love making a mess, clearly, but loved mixing all these different textures.”
Once you’ve filled your containers, you can finesse them a little. “I always like to add a taller branch on the left and the right of the arrangement, so it creates a little more drama,” she adds.
Have fun creating impactful holiday centerpieces that you can enjoy over the holiday season.
Shop Centerpiece Foliage Plants
This classic choice for a mini Christmas tree has delightful festive greenery. It has a compact, pyramidal shape and is very slow-growing, meaning it can be kept in a pot and brought indoors over the holidays.
Featuring jewel-colored berries and glossy foliage, wintergreen is a delightful choice for holiday decor. It's low-growing, so won't overwhelm arrangements, and can be planted as ground cover.
The stunning variegated leaves of Honey Maid holly make this a must-have holiday plant for porch pots and natural decor. It grows in a pyramidal form and produces beautiful berries with a partner plant.
More Holiday Plant Inspiration
- Find the most impactful holiday porch pot plants for making a magical seasonal display.
- Discover the best amaryllis varieties to add seasonal cheer to your home over the holidays.
- Browse the Gardening Know How Shop Holiday Gift Guide to find plant-inspired gifts for loved ones this festive season.
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