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Fast and Easy Holiday Centerpieces

When You Need Something Quick for Your Holiday Table

From , former About.com Guide

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Planning for a Christmas party is so much work that some people just abandon the idea altogether. Getting out the invitations, planning the menu, preparing all the food, decorating the house, and making a table centerpiece might just seem like too much work.

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We're here to help you solve one part of that problem!

If your major concern is how to decorate your holiday table with a beautiful centerpiece, you've come to the right place. Our photos and instructions will offer lots of ideas and inspiration.

Nothing here is hard! In fact, every decoration is easy and can be put together in under 15 minutes if you have the materials at hand.

For starters, here are a few simple tips:

  • If youassemble your arrangement on a platter, tray, or large serving plate, you can move it from place to place with little effort or mess. The pine needles won't get all over and any watering drips will stay off your wooden table.
  • Pine needles and evergreen boughs won't last forever. If you don't insert them in water vials or floral foam, they stay fresh and fragrant less than a week.
  • Plan to put the decoration together only a day or two before your party so it looks fresh for the big event!
  • Be sure to have extra greenery to refresh your arrangement when it begins to droop. Keep the stems in a bucket of water in the garage or outdoors until ready to use.
  • When the party is over, take the arrangement to a cool place in your home or garage. It will last longer away from sunlight and heater vents throwing dry air.
  • For added interest in your arrangement, choose a combination of varieties of greens. Use pine, white pine, holly, boxwood, noble fir, cedar, and rough juniper for color and texture.
  • Artificial greens are more realistic looking than ever before. Collect varieties from year to year and store them away. Add red or white berries, small wired ornaments, or sprinkle with artificial show.

Find photos, a materials list, instructions and tips on how to make a variety of beautiful holiday centerpiece decorations.

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