How to Make a Centerpiece Without Flowers

By Allana Baroni

Rate: (6 Ratings)

What does everyone want as soon as they sit down to the table? Something to drink and something to nibble on. When the meal is brunch, you don’t have to spend cash on flowers to decorate your party table--let the funds do some centerpiece double duty: 1) help create a party atmosphere and 2) count as part of the food and beverage. Whether you are hosting at a restaurant or your home--here’s how to set up the flowerless centerpiece.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • 1 Deep bowl or bucket
  • 2 Large platters or shallow bowls
  • Assorted breads and muffins
  • Butter and jam
  • Bottles of beer
  • Champagne splits or half bottles
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Salt
  • Peach or orange juice

Step1
Start with a deep bowl or bucket. I found mine at Crate & Barrel (see Resources below for link). Partially fill it with ice, start placing assorted bottles of beer, half bottles (or splits) of champagne and small bottles of peach or orange juice (to mix with the champagne), then fill in all the gaps with more ice.
Step2
Perfect combinations are: peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin, Will and Grace AND Limes and salt with beer! Your guests won’t have to ask for the culinary accessories…place sliced lemons and limes on one side of the bowl along with a dish filled with salt on the other. If you can find Meyer Lemons, grab them and Google “artisan salts” to find beautiful salts to garnish the beer.
Step3
Place shallow bowls or platters on both sides of the beverage bowl. Fill one with assorted breads like olive baguette, rosemary foccacia, white country and bagels. Fill the other with muffins and pastries.
Step4
Include your favorite jams, jellies and spreads. They will add color to the table and make it easy for your guests to serve themselves.

Comments

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on 4/15/2008 Happy to help! I love when centerpieces do double duty - look good and part of the menu. Huge bowls of fruits and vegetables work well too, and I love to place dessert in the center of the table on pedestal cake plates - guests know what they are saving room for and they look amazing!

Desula said

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on 4/5/2008 Thanks for the idea. This would be great for my high school reunion.

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on 2/23/2008 I would have never thought of this, thank you for sharing this idea. It will be a big hit!

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eHow Article:  How to Make a Centerpiece Without Flowers

eHow Expert: Allana Baroni

Allana Baroni

Expert: Parties & Entertaining

Profession: Author and Socalizing Expert http://www.getsocial.com/

Location: California

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