Nonfloral Arrangements

Although the typical centerpiece for special occasions is often a cascade of flowers, floral centerpieces are often too expensive even for the most liberal of budgets. Besides expense, some guests may be allergic to flowers or you may prefer something other than flowers. Rest assured, there are a multitude of other arrangements that are just as exquisite and are more individualistic than the classic floral bouquet.

When selecting an arrangement, you should take both your party’s theme and your personality into consideration. For instance, if you are an avid reader, consider stacking old books and intermingling them with eyeglasses, candles, and writing instruments. You could even pick ten of your favorite books and build a centerpiece around each one. For example, the Sherlock Holmes centerpiece would have two or three staked books, a magnifying glass, a pair of gloves, a pipe, and a deerstalker hat arranged on the table.

You should also consider the mood you want to create, as well as your tastes when choosing a centerpiece because the arrangements will help set the tone of a room. Small picture frames make elegant centerpieces, especially when interwoven with tulle and candles. Guests will enjoy perusing photos of you and your family or generic photos of picturesque scenes like sunsets, waterfalls, mountaintops, birds in flight, people holding hands, or any number of interesting scenes. Pictures will lend a personal mood to the occasion and help keep your guests entertained while they are waiting to be served or for you to visit their table.

Towers of cupcakes or petit fours make for fun centerpieces that guests can help themselves to whenever they want dessert. They are simple to make or order and can be decorated beautifully to match the theme of any event. For a beach-themed celebration, short-sided boxes filled with store-bought sand, polished stones, seashells, and starfish can also be simple, creative centerpieces that will be both aesthetically charming and entertaining. Besides being a substitute for flowers, battery-operated lava lamps can be a unique alternative to candles and are especially fitting for retro parties.

If you still want the natural effect and appeal of flowers without having to use them, try using potted bamboo stalks, bonsais, Crotons, Sweet Leafs, poinsettias, ferns, or ivies as centerpieces. Even topiaries or miniature trees, like olive and lemon cypress, can make beautiful, natural centerpieces, which you can decorate with small tree ornaments or strands of lights. Another natural alternative to flowers is fresh fruit. Arrange a basket of apples or a silver bucket of oranges for a country feel, or try filling slender glass cylinders with water and a mixture of sliced and whole lemons for a fresh, summery effect. As should all the party decorations, the centerpieces should say something about your style and interests, so be sure to select an arrangement that will say volumes about you.