Easy Elegance:

Festive Centrepieces

You Can Create in 15 Minutes Using Only Groceries

Floating-Fruit Candle Bowls

Take a clear glass vase or bowl, fresh cranberries, a few whole oranges or limes, and water. Now, fill the vase halfway with water and gently drop in a layer of cranberries; they float! Slice one orange or lime and drop a few slices in (just for fun and scent, though whole fruit works too). If you have a floating candle, light it and place it on top. Arrange whole citrus around the base of the vase on the table.

Rustic Wooden Tray Centrepiece

Place a wooden tray (or even a flat wooden board) in the centre of the table. On it, arrange a small candle, a mini herb pot, a cluster of citrus fruits, and maybe a small bunch of flowers for a natural-rustic vibe. You can even use the wooden setup for a breakfast-themed centrepiece where artisan loaves, braided brioche, baguettes, or even pretzels can be arranged in baskets. They look warm, cosy, and festive — and double as edible decor. Pro tip: Add a tea towel or parchment sheet under the breads for warmth and texture.

The Jumbo Parfait 

Taking inspiration from parfait-style layering, this centrepiece presents a layered arrangement. What’s important here is to go for a wide glass jar or container (wide, but not very tall). Now, contrast with colours and shapes. For example, place green apples or lime at the bottom, red berries on top, and then end with a bunch of pomegranates or oranges as the topmost layer. You can top off the entire arrangement with small, green branches. 

The Herb & Vegetable Market Basket

Place a small wicker basket or even a colander in the centre of your table. Fill it like a mini farmers’ market haul with grocery staples like garlic bulbs, red onions, cherry tomatoes and bunches of fresh herbs (thyme, basil, mint). Add a few small potatoes for earthiness and let the herbs spill over the edges. The arrangement feels rustic, grounding, and unexpectedly elegant, and everything in it can be used later for cooking!

Simple Tips to Nail the Festive Centrepiece

• Consider the Scale: The arrangement should be in accordance with the table size. A narrow table needs a sleek line arrangement, not a bulky cluster, whereas a large dining table can handle a tray-based arrangement or a long garland. However, as a thumb rule, aim for a single statement piece or multiple smaller arrangements, keeping them narrow so guests can see each other. 
• Contrast is Key: Use contrasting colours and varied textures to make your table setting vibrant and engaging. It should draw attention, not get lost, or worse, repel the crowd. 
• Stable Arrangements need Support: Wobbly candles aren’t just unattractive, but also unsafe. Always place candles in jars, holders, or within deep glass containers. Similarly, use containers (bowls, jars, or nests of herbs/greenery) for limes, round ornaments, or loose cranberries that could roll off the table.
• Get Efficient, not Fancy: Items like lentils, rice, whole spices, star anise, bay leaves, or cinnamon sticks add depth and texture when layered in glass cylinders. It’s a stylist trick used in magazine shoots because these items are cheap, don’t wilt, and instantly add visual warmth.

DIY Centrepiece: Mistakes To Avoid

DIY can very quickly turn into DI-Whyyy if the results don’t match the vision. Avoid these errors to ensure your festive centrepieces steal the attention for the right reasons:

• Making it too tall: A centrepiece shouldn’t block conversation. Anything tall enough to block faces makes for an awkward dining table setup, with guests constantly having to lean around the centrepiece to converse. Keep height low and compact unless the arrangement is for a console or side table.
• Using strong-smelling ingredients: Herbs like basil, flowers like tuberose, or too much citrus peel can overpower the food aromas. Choose mild-scented elements like rosemary sprigs, eucalyptus, carnations, or daisies.
• Overcrowding the arrangement: Too many elements—fruit, candles, jars, flowers, beads—can look cluttered. Similarly, a centrepiece with too many competing colours feels chaotic. Stick to a three-element rule (e.g., citrus + greens + candle) and a two-colour base (e.g., green + white or red + orange) and add one accent shade.
• Forgetting lighting: Many DIY pieces look great in daylight but fall flat at night. Add one element of soft lighting—tea lights, fairy lights, LED candles—for evening ambience.

Grocery for the Decor! 

The next time you’re hosting guests, or simply want to jazz up a family dinner, don’t rely on costly decor or fancy lights. Let the ornaments remain on the tree, and let the groceries shine on their home front, aka, the table. Don’t spend time flocking to fancy stores. Stick to your trusted supermarket, and let grocery do the talking.