- Create a beach scene by pouring sand into a wide-mouthed vase or glass bowl. Push decorative items into the sand like glass lighthouse figurines, sea shells, painted wooden fish, colorful beach glass or decorative driftwood. Also consider pouring a layer of sand into a tall, cylinder-shaped vase, filling it with water and floating white candles or white orchid blooms on top.
- Place an assortment of coral and shells into a glass bowl, basket, small beach bag or plain white plate as a simple table centerpiece. For a quick-and-easy look, create a bed of sea grass or sand and situate a single large item like an abalone shell, pink conch shell or pearled nautilus shell on top. Alternately, try gathering groups of smaller shells in colorful metal buckets that guests can look through and arrange on the table.
- Another item that evokes the sea is a rustic metal lantern in shades of blue and green. Place a lit tea candle or battery-operated tea light inside the lantern to generate soft lighting at the table. Continue the beach theme by scattering a handful of sand, small river rocks, dried sand dollars or bits of coral around the base of each lantern.
- If you want beach-themed centerpieces to capture the relaxing ambiance of Hawaii, gather luau-inspired props in the center of the table. Stack Hawaiian tourists' guides or coffee table books to situate objects like leis, coconuts, mini tiki torches, small flip-flops, postcards and plastic palm trees at different heights.
- Create a centerpiece for a kid's beach-themed party using colorful plastic buckets, shovels and sand toys. Stack the items to produce a tall focal point for the table or stash the beach toys in a shallow box with a layer of sand so the guests can play while they wait for refreshments. Older guests might enjoy lighthearted centerpieces featuring water and sand in shallow glass bowls with toy boats or wind-up sea-creature toys floating along the surface.
