It seems do-it-yourself centerpieces are very in vogue. They not only allow you to exercise your creative muscle, but they’re also practical, because for a small amount of effort, you get a huge return on investment in that they last for the entire holiday season. And of course, they’re cost-effective, because they’re made from items that you have or that you can purchase for very little money.

Here are some suggestions for creating multi-purpose arrangements that can just as easily decorate a sideboard or end table as they can the center of your table:

Kara L.C. Jones, owner of MotherHenna at Etsy Shop, provided these alternatives to standard table arrangements:

• Clear glass bowls filled with fresh, colorful fruit.
• Clear glass bowls filled with marbles, with tall, wide candles stabilized in the marbles.
• Square, flat pieces of mirror with candles of various heights placed on them.
• Clear glass bowls filled with water with floating flowers or floating candles.
• Small teapots filled with fresh flowers.

Karen Tinsley-Kim, President/Product Developer of Redema, an ottoman/foot rest manufacturer, says:

“I think some of the best holiday centerpieces are the simplest. Use a festive cloth or napkin for the foundation, and add one large or three small containers filled with something that contrasts in texture and/or height, such as a candle, stones, glass pebbles, holly, mistletoe, mini ornaments, candy canes, fruit — whatever you have on hand. For the holidays, something a bit sparkly or shiny, but kept at a minimal [sic]. If a candle is used, that may be bright enough. I believe having a related color scheme of all the items keeps it visually together, but something that adds a highlight, such as a silver ribbon, can add some holiday pizzazz.”

Dina Capehart, stay-at-home mom, hobbyist crafter, and thrift store junkie, offered this idea:

“My favorite and most effective and inexpensive centerpiece was done by adding holiday decorations into a hurricane lamp. Two small or one large lamp make quite the statement. These items can be found in thrift shops at literally no expense. Think $5 per centerpiece.”

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson, co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family (The Green Year LLC, 2008), say:

“Invite each guest to bring from home a small item that is meaningful to them for some reason. Provide a pretty plate on a pedestal or bowl. As guests arrive, ask them to place their item on the plate or next to it, depending on the item. You can add some springs of holly, an ornament or two, whatever you want. At the meal, ask each guest to explain the meaning of the contributed treasure. We’ll bet anything this will create the most memorable centerpiece ever!”

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, co-owner of Communication Central, and author of Get Paid to Write! Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (self-published), uses this simple trick:

“I gather a few pine cones and put them in a glass bowl. If I have the time and energy, I’ll spray them in gold and one bright color — orange or yellow in November, blue for Hanukkah, purple year-round because it’s my favorite color. I have a couple different bowls I can use — a plain/clear glass one, a faceted crystal one, and a purple one.”

Crystal Olig, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Event Solutions magazine, was kind enough to provide TH readers with this sneak peak at a tip that will be featured in the magazine’s upcoming edition:

“Create edible centerpieces. Put individual sweets on a pedestal in the middle of each table to double as décor and dessert. Picture candy apples dipped in caramel or chocolate and then individually wrapped in cellophane with beautiful ribbon and nested among evergreen sprigs. Not only will the centerpieces look festive and eye-catching, but guests can either eat their candy apples for dessert or take them home as favors.”

This last idea certainly qualifies as an imaginative use of the unexpected to create a dramatic statement. Peter Emmenegger, owner of INQUISITIVEkid, credits the idea to an elderly lady without any kids. She looked at the compact marble runs (building blocks made of beech wood) and said; “Now that would make a great center piece. Whenever the company is boring, at least we would have something to talk about.”

Once again, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” If you find yourself in need of a focal point for your table this holiday season, just look around. There are a million creative designs just waiting to be made.