How to make a table decoration for Christmas

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How to make a table decoration for Christmas

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Friday, 18 December 2020 at 3:56 pm

Follow our step-by-step guide to making a sumptuous home-made display for the Christmas table.

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On the festive dining table there’s rarely much room for flowers. Feasting platters and glasses rightly take up most of the space. It's therefore important to choose a slim container that sits neatly in the centre of the table, filled with a garden-style arrangement overflowing with foliage and blooms. Ideally use a low, shallow container so that the overall height of the arrangement doesn’t block people’s view.

Rather than traditional reds and greens, we’ve chosen a warm, golden theme that works well with any gold accessories, woody tones and warm candlelight.

Discover our favourite Christmas plants to grow, gift and decorate.

You Will Need

Large, shallow container
Chicken wire
A selection of evergreen foliage
Plant foliage such as holly, eucalyptus stems, fir sprigs, larch cones on stems
Flowers

Step 1

How to make a table decoration for Christmas - taping down the chicken wire

Place a generous amount of slightly scrunched chicken wire in your container and tape over the top to hold it in place. Fill two-thirds with water.

Step 2

How to make a table decoration for Christmas - adding the flowers and foliage

Create the overall shape of the design with your foliage, placing each stem into the chicken wire to keep it secure. Start with the taller stems at one side, and on the opposite lower corner some sprigs that drape over the edge. This gives a natural asymmetrical look to the arrangement. Set the largest flowers in place first. Try to follow the shape already created by the foliage, and dot the blooms evenly throughout the arrangement. Ensure they face outwards in every direction. Position some slightly recessed to the foliage and others slightly protruding, to give the display depth and layers.

Step 3

How to make a table decoration for Christmas

Lastly, add the more delicate flowers and seedheads to punctuate the display. Keep the water topped up, so the display lasts over the festive period, and compost the plant material when you dismantle it.

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