Let it glow

Hands-on time: Less than an hour
Skill: Easy
Cost: Less than $30

Materials and Tools

• White damask tablecloth
• Gold table runner
• 4 glass vases 13cm to 18cm high with wide bases
• 8 large white Christmas balls, 6 medium and 6 small silver balls
• 6 gold spiral wire mesh balls
• 6 glittery gold-wire ornaments
• White indoor mini lights long enough for your table
• Clear beaded garland
• 6 glass votives
• White trim with a satin edge
• Scissors
• Glue dots or glue gun
• 6 tea lights

Create a brilliant centrepiece with a silver, white and gold colour scheme. It's easy and doesn't involve any flowers or greenery. You can use items on hand or combine new and old decorations. Modern simplicity at it best for joyful holiday cheer!

Wash the vases in mild detergent and dry with a lint-free cloth. Put clean tablecloth and runner on the table.

Pull apart one of the wire-mesh balls and put wire mesh in each vase to form the bottom layer. Add two silver balls, one small and one medium, one white ball and a gold wire ornament to each vase.

Line up the four vases on the runner. Weave the string of lights around the vases. Do the same with the garland. Place large white balls randomly among the vases.

Pull apart another mesh ball and scatter the mesh around the arrangement.

Cut trim to fit around each votive holder with an extra centimetre for overlap. Apply to votive holders using glue dots or a glue gun. Insert candles and add votive holders to the table. Use the same arrangement to dress up a mantel, bay window or a hutch.

Variations

• Add greenery, including pine, holly, boxwood, cedar, magnolia leaves, rough juniper or even artificial greens.
• Paint a few magnolia leaves silver or gold and scatter them on the table, place in vases or at each place setting or to adorn napkins.
• If you have a glass table, omit the tablecloth or use a sheer organza cloth.

Tip

• Candles burn longer if chilled first. Never leave candles unattended.