The Art of the Holiday Centerpiece
The holidays are sneaking up, and you know what that means: tablescapes, gatherings, anticipation in the air, and big expectations. Instead of stressing about the turkey (again) or the same old décor, how about bringing in something fresh, beautiful, and handmade? That’s where a show-stopping floral centerpiece comes in.
Step-by-Step: How to Create Your Holiday Centerpiece
Step 1: Build Your Base with the Spiller
Start with your spillers. These are your cascading greens that drape over the edge of your vase or vessel. They create the shape and natural flow of your arrangement.
💡 Think eucalyptus, cedar, or amaranthus. Let them spill gracefully to add movement and soften your centerpiece’s edges. This is your foundation where your design starts to take shape.
Step 2: Add Your Thriller for the “Wow” Factor
Next comes the thriller. Your bold focal flower that immediately draws the eye. This is the centerpiece’s star, the bloom that sets the tone for your holiday look.
💡 Try roses, lilies, sunflowers, or large mums in rich reds, whites, or golds. Place them at varying heights to create depth and visual interest. This step gives your arrangement personality and presence, the kind that makes your guests say, “You made that?”
Step 3: Fill It In with Texture and Warmth
Now it’s time for the fillers. Use smaller blooms and accent stems that bring balance, texture, and fullness. They connect everything together, filling in spaces and softening transitions between your focal flowers and greens.
💡 Think waxflower, alstroemeria, spray roses or hypericum berries. These add layers of texture and color without stealing the spotlight. Keep checking your design from every angle to make sure it feels full yet airy.
Step 4: Add a Festive Touch
Once your base, focal, and fillers are in place, sprinkle in some seasonal details. Think ornamental pumpkins, pinecones, berries, or a touch of colorful ribbon. These little touches make your centerpiece feel festive and unique.
💡 Tip: A few gold accents or sprigs of red berries can instantly make your arrangement holiday-ready.
Step 5: Perfect, Place & Preserve
Take a step back and look at your design. Is it balanced? Does it draw the eye naturally from the thriller down to the spiller? Adjust as needed until it feels just right.
Keep it fresh by trimming stems at an angle every few days and replacing the water regularly. Remove any wilting blooms to help your arrangement last through the holidays.
Join the Holiday Centerpiece Workshop and Bring Your Table to Life 🌿
Want to try this design technique for yourself? 🌿 Join us for the Holiday Centerpiece Flower Arranging Workshop that gives you the skills, flowers, and community to bring your holiday table to life. Join us on Wednesday, November 26 at 4:30 PM PT for a creative and relaxing session designed to help you craft a stunning, professional-looking centerpiece using the Spiller, Thriller, and Filler technique.
Choose between Workshop Only (BYOB) if you’d like to bring your own blooms or Workshop + Bloom Box, which includes 6, 9, or 12 bunches of fresh seasonal flowers delivered right to your door. Let’s craft a centerpiece that doesn’t just decorate, but sparks joy, connection, and calm during the holiday rush.
Finding Calm in Creativity
Creating a holiday centerpiece isn’t just about decorating your table, it’s about slowing down and being present in the process. Designing an arrangement for your loved ones to enjoy can be just as fulfilling as preparing the food they’ll gather to share.
Before the whirlwind of the holidays begins, take a moment for yourself. Quiet your mind, breathe deeply, and let your creativity flow through your hands. Flower arranging is more than décor, it’s floral therapy. It’s an act of mindfulness, a reminder to pause and find calm before the chaos.
So before things get busy, check in with yourself. Create something beautiful, something made with love. You’ll not only transform your space, you’ll nurture your spirit, too.
