Colorful centerpieces are a must for fall tables.

From cute to classic, wow your guests this holiday season with the perfect centerpiece.


Invitations? Check. Menu planning? Check. House cleaning, babysitting arrangements, party favors and food preparation? Check.

When it comes to holiday entertaining, the to-do list is stressfully endless. But whether you are devoting your energies to a small family gathering or a dinner party for 30, one more important detail – your table’s centerpiece – deserves your close attention.

In fact, perhaps nothing reflects your taste more than your centerpiece selection. Whether you want elegant or interactive, classic or cute, local designers weigh in on the dos and don’ts while offering plenty of ideas to spice up your centerpiece imaginings.


The Basics

In most cases, it’s important to not choose a centerpiece higher than a foot tall, especially for small, intimate dinners. Families – well, most families – do enjoy conversation across the table, after all. “You have to use a little common sense about how high your arrangement is,” says Katherine Sheehan, owner of Arizona Flower Shop in Phoenix.

There may be exceptions. For example, if a tall, dramatic centerpiece is the look you’re after, then go for it. Carol Buto, owner of the Scottsdale interior decorating firm Carol Buto Designs, suggests having a smaller arrangement to substitute during dinner.

There also are times when blocking the view across the table may be acceptable. “At formal dinners, people generally don’t talk across the table, they talk to the people on their left and right,” Sheehan says. “So it may be OK to go a little higher.”

Finally, some occasions call for a tall, pedestal base with a centerpiece splaying out above the guests’ line of sight. Karen Rapp, owner of Karen Rapp Interiors in Phoenix, says this approach should be reserved more for weddings and banquets, but it can work in the right setting.

Longer tables call for candles and a lot of green foliage.

Do:

• Consider how much clearance you have between your centerpiece and overhead light fixtures.

• Consider how your centerpiece will look from all sides and views of the table.

• Think about how you’ll be serving your food. If it’s buffet style or plated, you’ll have more room to play with than if your food will be served family style.

• Use longer centerpieces with lots of greens or candles on longer tables. “It lends to the atmosphere and dining experience,” Sheehan says. If you’re concerned about the fire hazard inherent to candles, consider using battery-operated candles. They operate on a timer and “when lit, they look exactly like a real burning candle, flicker and all,” Buto says.