Easy DIY Christmas Centerpiece with Orange Pomanders

There’s a simple pleasure to be found in making a DIY Christmas centerpiece that you can customize to match your decor style. Today, I’m joining nine other bloggers to share many variations of table decor you can create this holiday season. We’re guiding you with step-by-step instructions to help you on your way.

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. For more information, please see my disclosures.

Welcome to a Christmas Centerpiece Tour

I’m thrilled to share these Christmas centerpiece ideas as a collaboration with a talented group of fellow bloggers. It’s a great joy to host this two-day “blog hop” with a few friends who each have a signature style.

On this tour, you’ll find a mix of formats, including glass vases, dough bowls, tureens, pedestals, and baskets. You can take elements that strike your fancy and adapt them to your home.

If you’re joining from Craftberry Bush, thanks for stopping by. I’ve long admired Lucy’s creativity and sophisticated sense of style. (Her watercolor talent is something to behold as well!)

Be sure to check out all the Christmas table centerpieces at the end of this post. You’ll walk away with plenty of Christmas inspiration, I’m sure.

How to Make a DIY Christmas Centerpiece

When I first made orange pomanders on the blog, I knew I wanted to find more ways to decorate with them. Our dining table is the perfect spot to put them on display because it’s the first room in our house. The scent of citrus and cloves is a feast for the senses as visitors walk in.

Watch This Tutorial (< 1 Min)

---

Rather than reinvent the wheel with a new container, I wanted to redecorate the giant dough bowl that appeared in my fall table decor. It’s ginormous, but it has a low enough profile that guests don’t have to peer around it.

I’ll link to similar rectangular bowls down below. Of course, you can recreate this candles centerpiece with any container your heart desires. You can also opt to place a garland on your table using the same supplies.

Step 1: Divide stems into smaller branches

When working around a focal point like candles, I usually cut my branches into smaller pieces. This helps to fill in smaller gaps and make the greenery appear fuller.

You can use either real evergreen branches or faux stems. The benefit of fake stems is the ability to repurpose them from year to year, but the downside is finding storage.

The berry pick that I chose is a reddish-orange color that complements the oranges. It was a fall clearance item, so don’t limit yourself to the Christmas floral section. I liked the color of these red berries much better than the ones in the Christmas department for this particular centerpiece.

Step 2: Begin placing floral picks in the container

Starting at one end of the container or vase, tuck the floral stems around the pillar candles. I’ve used three white candles that measure about 4 x 8 inches to fill up the space and contrast with the greenery.

Spread the branches and pinecones in different directions for a more realistic look if using wired branches.

I tried to place dry floral foam in the dough bowl for stability, but it was a disaster. The foam was messy and difficult to disguise in a wide container like mine. It could work if you skip the pillar candles, though.

Step 3: Add berry accents to the greenery

I ended up cutting my berry picks in half again so I’d have six pieces instead of three. Generally, I like using odd numbers for accents, but I had to juggle the fact I could only find one spray of berries.

Step 4: Add orange pomander balls

I won’t cover all the steps to make pomander balls in this post, but you can refer to my original orange pomander tutorial if you need help. It’s a simple process of creating designs in an orange and adding cloves that act as a natural preservative.

Place your pomander balls around the arrangement, covering any gaps in the greenery. I suggest inserting the sharp point of a wooden skewer into the “uglier” end of your orange. Then you can let the orange rest on the greenery or edge of your container. Use extra greenery to hide the skewer.

I love the way the pomanders look like Christmas ornaments in the arrangement. If you don’t want to make orange pomanders, you can also buy faux pomanders and place them on a pick or skewer.

I love making my own because the smell is so inviting. It’s like having a simmer pot in your home 24/7!

Displaying Your DIY Centerpieces

After placing your arrangement in the center of the table, you’ll likely have to rearrange a few stems here and there. I walk around my holiday table to look at it from different angles and make adjustments. It always seems I have some ornery branches trying to dip into my guests’ drinks.

I typically place a table runner under my dough bowl since it blends in with our rustic dining room table. I’ve added my plaid DIY fabric charger plates to the tablescape to add more contrast too.

There’s nothing better than the smell of citrus and cloves at Christmas time. You can pair your citrus centerpiece with dried orange slices at your place settings. I’m planning to add a few orange slices to my mini Christmas tree in the background.

I’m also hoping to create a few wreaths that feature faux slit oranges to hang on my dining room cabinets. There’s no limit to incorporating citrus in your Christmas decorations.

If you want to add a glam factor to your tabletop, come back to visit my DIY holiday centerpiece with mercury glass candle holders.

Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook if you try making your own DIY Christmas centerpiece (@firstdayofhome). I’d love to see how you express your creativity.

Pin it for later

More DIY Christmas Centerpiece Ideas

Continue your tour by visiting the other holiday centerpieces below. Next up is my dear friend Julie from My Wee Abode. Julie is so special to me, and she always has beautiful table decorations that look great in spaces large and small.

Please accept my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Monday’s Tour

Stonegable // Worthing Court // A Stroll Thru Life // The Tattered Pew // Thistle Key Lane

Tuesday’s Tour

First Day of Home // My Wee Abode // Midwest Life and Style //
Bricks ‘n Blooms // Craftberry Bush

You Might Also Like…