How To Make a Holiday Centerpiece

When everyone gathers around for Christmas dinner, there is a table's worth of food. But it's the centerpiece that's there before the food that sets the mood for the meal.

shop owners Suzanne Smith offers a step-by-step guide to creating a holiday centerpiece for your table below. For those willing to try to do-it-yourself, the greens necessary are available at local florist shops.

Violet's professional centerpieces run anywhere from $30 and up. The holiday centerpiece we are watching Sue create is about $120. It measured about 18-inches wide, which she said would work best on an 8-foot table that seats about 10 people. 

Here's a bit of advice they offered to keep your centerpieces looking beautiful throughout the holiday season:

Their tips to keep your centerpiece fresh:

1.  Check water daily in sink, so you don't damage a table top by spilling.  Stick your finger in the tray, there  should be a little pool of water.

2.  Keep away from direct heat, so it doesn't dry out easily.

3.  Be careful with candles as evergreens dry.  We recommend a glass hurricane globe, instead of candle sticks.  It's a little safer.

4.  Keep cool. 

Tips to keep your bouquets fresh:

1. Make sure the water is crystal clear.

2. Change water every other day, and add some flower food-pack.  You don't need the whole pack the first time you put your flowers in the vase.  Read the directions on the packet.

3.  Every time you change the water, give the flowers a fresh cut on an angle.

4.  Remove any foliage under the water as to avoid bacteria formation. Only stems should be under water.