How to Make a Tinsel and Present Christmas Centerpiece

Floral-shop Christmas centerpieces are beautiful, but they are also expensive. There are alternative possibilities that can serve the same purpose, like using a real or silk poinsettia or simple fresh greenery. However, sometimes a centerpiece with a little bit more pizazz is called for. Even the most inexperienced floral arranger can make a tinsel-and-present centerpiece that will draw rave reviews.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror base or charger plate
• Taper candle
• Tin can
• Ribbon
• Craft glue
• Hot glue gun
• Glue
• Silk flowers
• Faux greenery
• Metallic accents
• Tinsel
• Presents
• Bow

Instructions

1. Determine the exact color scheme you want to follow. Choose traditional Christmas colors, white, metallic, or colors that coordinate with the room in which the centerpiece will be featured.

2. Choose your centerpiece base. A piece of mirror or a charger plate works perfectly. Whatever you use should be at least 12 by 12 inches.

3. Decide what to include in the centerpiece, in addition to tinsel and presents. Try silk poinsettias or roses, greenery, pine cones, a Santa figure, an angel, or other traditional Christmas décor.

4. 

   Choose a taper candle for the center. Pick one that is neutral in color or that blends in well with the other colors of the piece. The center candle should as high as the tallest decoration you have chosen for the piece. If you find a candle that you like but is too short, extend its height with a tin can. Use craft glue to cover the can with ribbon.

5. 

   Use a hot glue gun to secure the candle to the center of the base. Run additional glue around the outside of the candle to make certain it will remain secure.

6. 

   Glue your chosen decorations and silk flowers around the base of the candle, using their flexible stems to mold them into the positions you want. Balance the centerpiece, with an equal number of flowers or decorations on each side. That way, it will look equally beautiful from the front and the back.

7. 

   Place fill-in materials like greenery, ornaments, snowflakes, and metallic accents between flowers before you add in the tinsel and presents.

8. 

   Top off the centerpiece with additional accents like crystals, snowflakes, birds or anything else you desire. Add a bow if the centerpiece is to be used as a gift. Attach a gift tag to the bow if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• A mirror base is recommended for pieces that are more contemporary in nature. A square charger plate works well for pieces that are more traditional. You can use floral form around the candle if you want a base in which to place the flowers. When placing flowers, work some of them up the side of the candle to give the piece some height.

• Use caution when using a hot glue gun. Hot blue can cause serious burns.