Christmas Centerpieces

These Christmas centerpieces are made for the dining table, the buffet and the coffee table, and for the friend hosting dinner this year. A florist near the recipient arranges each one by hand from fresh flowers and greenery, and several are built around real candles.

The right centerpiece sets the tone for the whole meal. Below, you'll find how to match a design to your table, when candles make sense and which colors work beyond red and green.

Choosing a Christmas table centerpiece

Match the shape to your table

Measure the table before you choose. A long rectangular dining room table suits a low, stretched design like the Designer's Choice - Christmas Centerpiece, which runs down the middle instead of standing as a single focal point. Garland Greens Centerpiece and Very Merry Centerpiece sit flat in trays, so they won't block the view across the table, and By the Candlelight Centerpiece is about 8 inches high and 20 inches across. Save taller pieces, like Abundant Christmas Blessings with its curly willow or the cascading Christmas Magic Bouquet, for a sideboard or entry table where height won't get in the way of conversation.

Candlelit holiday centerpieces

Six designs here carry real candles. The Christmas Cheer Centerpiece has three tall tapers rising from red roses, lotus pods and snow-tipped pinecones, the Traditional Christmas Centerpiece rings red tapers with roses, carnations and Asiatic lilies, and the Season’s Greetings Centerpiece gathers tapered candles among red and white flowers. The single-candle Glad Tidings design is the plainest of that line. Light the candles only while someone is in the room, and keep the flame clear of greenery, a table runner or anything else that could catch.

Colors, greenery and texture

Red and green with white accents lead most of these designs, filled out with fresh greenery, pinecones and hypericum berries. Lavish Christmas Centerpiece warms that palette with gold-tinted greens and shimmering ornaments, and the florist can tone the gold down if you'd prefer a traditional look. For a cooler table, Elegant Charm Centerpiece uses lavender, blue and white, and Hanukkah Hues brings blue delphinium and white lilies to a Hanukkah meal. Two of the centerpieces are shaped like trees, the Christmas Boxwood Tree and the Crimson Christmas Tree, and both appear with our tabletop Christmas trees.

Christmas centerpiece questions

What is the traditional centerpiece of the Christmas dinner table?

Traditionally, a low arrangement of evergreens, red flowers and candles, often with pinecones, berries or small ornaments tucked in. The Traditional Christmas Centerpiece follows that pattern, with red taper candles, roses, carnations, Asiatic lilies, statice and button poms over Christmas greenery. See more Christmas decorations for the mantel and entry.

How tall should a Christmas table centerpiece be?

Many hosts keep a dining centerpiece under about 12 inches so guests can talk across the table without leaning around it. Low designs in trays, or ones built long and narrow, suit a sit-down meal, while taller arrangements work better on a buffet, mantel or entry table.

How long does a fresh Christmas centerpiece last?

With good care, a fresh centerpiece often looks its best for several days to a week, and the greens tend to outlast the flowers. Keep it away from heat vents, fireplaces and direct sun, add water if the container holds it, and pull any bloom that fades early.

Is a Christmas centerpiece a good hostess gift?

Yes, and it's kinder to have it arrive a day or two before the gathering, so the host isn't hunting for space while guests come in. Add a short card message at checkout, such as "Thank you for hosting us this Christmas," so they know who sent it.

Can a holiday centerpiece be delivered on the day of the dinner?

Often, yes. Order by 2:00 PM ET Monday to Friday or by 1:30 PM ET on Saturday when that date is open for the ZIP code. Most deliveries arrive by 8:00 PM in the recipient's time zone, so for an early dinner, the day before is the safer choice.