Setting the table is one of my favorite parts of hosting. It brings me so much joy arranging flowers, lighting candles, and peering across the table to see a friend’s face light up when they take it all in. There’s quite literally an art to it, and decorating a table is just like decorating a room. A satisfying tablescape requires texture, color, and balance—while the centerpiece brings it all together.

With the holiday season upon us, hosting is in full swing. A festive centerpiece can make your table extra special, and the good news is it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. There’s no need for elaborate florals, towering centerpieces, or lots of stuff. There’s beauty in simplicity, and these five centerpiece ideas will give your table an extra glow and a dash of holiday spirit this season.

holiday centerpiece ideas candles on table

Light the Night: Candles That Set the Mood

Lighting is everything, and candles are the easiest way to create instant atmosphere. There’s nothing cozier than the glow from candlelight, especially when you’re eating a Thanksgiving feast or Christmas dinner. There are so many ways to add candles to your table, from lining a dozen of them right down the center to dotting them throughout. Don’t be afraid to play with scale—having a mix of taper, pillar, and tea light candles would look stunning and give your table a layered glow. You could also stick with the same size candles for a more uniform, but no less stunning look.

I love white or cream candles of all sizes, but there’s room to play with color as well. Swap your standard ivory candles for deep aubergine, forest green, or muted blush for a sophisticated look. Play around with your candle holders, too—vintage brass, glass, or even clay add texture and style. Just be sure your candles are spaced evenly apart and not too high to minimize any accidents—safety over style, always!

greenery garland holiday table centerpiece

The New Classic: Fresh Not Fussy Winter Greenery

Is it even the holiday season without garland? There’s nothing more chic than winter greenery down your table, and it couldn’t be easier to style. Include a variety of greenery in your garland, like eucalyptus or cedar for added texture, lush accents like cinnamon sticks or ribbon, and dried sliced oranges for a burst of color. Or if you prefer, let the oranges take the center of your table.

Casa Zuma Holiday Garland

A handcrafted combination of Fraser Fir, Leyland Cypress, Gold Tipped Cedar, and Seeded Eucalyptus. Full of texture and evergreens, this garland is a show-stopping piece that will elevate your table or mantle in no time.

From $179 at Casa Zuma

A garland of dried orange slices is beautiful, cost-effective, and easy enough to make yourself. Simply slice your oranges and place them in a 170-degree oven for four to six hours until completely dry. You’ll want to flip them every few hours, and be sure your slices are thin so they dry completely. If you like, pair your orange garland with light orange taper candles for a cozy, cohesive look.

Edible Centerpieces: When the Food Is the Décor

Who says the centerpiece can’t be edible? A long, low grazing board at the center of your table would be a welcome sight for guests. How delightful to have a centerpiece that doubles as an appetizer! Use a mix of seasonal fruits like figs, grapes, and pomegranates, then add cheese and crackers to a grazing board. You could even add a sliced loaf of bread that guests could eat with the meal as well. A grazing board as a centerpiece will instantly invite guests to gather and nibble—and who doesn’t love finger foods before dinner?

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A Pop of Color: Sculptural Branches and Berry Foliage

If you love pops of color, bring the outdoors in with foraged or store-bought berry branches. Wrapping candle holders with winterberry stems will give your table a burst of color, or you can place them in a small, low-level vase. Mixing the berry stems with greenery will add texture, and you don’t need to do much to make berry foliage look beautiful. Berry foliage on its own is striking and sculptural. Just be sure you don’t place it in a vase that’s too tall—a good rule of thumb is to keep your centerpiece short so guests can see each other across the table. No one wants to dodge a centerpiece to chat with someone, or to pass the bread basket!

Still Life Moment: Seasonal Fruits That Double as Art

When you’re working with beautiful materials, you don’t have to work too hard to create a memorable centerpiece. One of the simplest centerpieces you can create is to fill a statement bowl with pinecones, pomegranates, or even apples for a rustic, seasonal touch. Pinecones are cozy and neutral, and would make a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece. Add some greenery and berry foliage, and it turns into a holiday piece. Pomegranates are rich, elegant, and in season—place a few in a bowl and they’re reminiscent of holiday ornaments for your tree. Cracking them open to see the seeds inside is beautiful, too. This is a great option for a smaller table where space is limited—one large bowl at the center would be perfect. Layer them underneath a table runner and you’re golden!

This holiday season, remember your tablescape doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful. The most memorable tables are the ones that feel cozy and intentional. After all, the table may set the scene, but it’s the people around it who make it truly shine.

Kristen Garaffo

Kristen is a Washington, D.C.–based freelance writer specializing in home and lifestyle content, with work featured in Camille Styles, Forbes Home, The Everygirl, Apartment Therapy, Hunker, and The Daily Beast. A lifelong homebody who’s been romanticizing her life since 1987, she can usually be found sipping iced coffee, designing her next dream space, or blasting Taylor Swift.