The short answer: measure your table first, keep the design low enough to talk over, and match the colours to what you already own. A long table takes a larger centrepiece with several candles, a small table or a sideboard suits a single candle, and white and gold are the easy choice if your dishes or decorations are already busy. This guide covers how to choose, how to place it, and how to keep it fresh through the holidays.
Start with the table, not the flowers
A centrepiece that looks perfect on a screen can crowd a real table once the plates, glasses and serving dishes are down. Before you choose, picture the meal. Will the food be served family style, with platters down the middle? Then leave room and go smaller. Will the food come from the kitchen or a sideboard? Then the centre of the table is free, and a fuller design can take the spotlight.
A handy rule is to keep flowers and greens below the eye line of someone sitting down. Candles can rise above that line because they are slim and easy to see past. A wide mass of flowers at the same height is what blocks a conversation.
- A small round or square table: one compact design with a single candle is plenty.
- A standard dining table: a medium design with two or three candles sits well at the centre.
- A long table: one larger centrepiece works, or use a second arrangement so the far end does not feel bare.
- A buffet or sideboard: height matters less here, since nobody is talking across it, so a taller bouquet in a vase is an option.
Choosing your colours
Look at your dishes, your tablecloth and the decorations in the room before you decide. The right colour is the one that suits the setting you already have.
Red and green is the traditional look, and it is hard to go wrong with it. The Holiday Classics Centrepiece pairs red carnations and mini carnations with seasonal greenery, pine cones, two red taper candles and a red and green ribbon. For more shine, The Lights of the Season Centrepiece adds red glass balls and a red wired ribbon around three red tapers. See our red flowers if you want another red piece for a side table.
Red and gold feels more formal. The Celebration of the Season Centrepiece sets red roses and red spray roses against holiday greens and variegated holly, with gold pinecones and a gold brocade ribbon around three red tapers.
White and gold is calm and refined, and it sits easily with patterned dishes. The Season's Glow Centrepiece uses white lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums and statice with gold pinecones around three white tapers. One thing to check: lilies have a stronger scent than most flowers, so ask yourself whether your guests would prefer something milder at the dinner table.
White and green is the quietest option. The Glowing Elegance Centrepiece holds a single white taper in a glass hurricane, surrounded by white roses, spray roses, carnations and baby's breath. A candle in a hurricane also makes a good choice for a room with drafts.
Candles: enjoy them safely
Many holiday centrepieces are built around taper candles, and they add a lovely glow once the lights go down. A few simple habits keep them safe:
- Never leave lit candles unattended, and put them out before you leave the room.
- Keep the flame clear of ribbon and dry greens. Greens dry out over time, so take extra care as the days go by.
- Trim or replace candles before they burn down close to the greenery.
- Keep the centrepiece out of reach of children and pets, and away from curtains and drafts.
If you would rather not light them at all, the candles still add height and shape to the design.
Keeping it fresh until the big day
A little care helps a centrepiece look its best through a busy week. Keep it in a cool spot away from heating vents, fireplaces and direct sun, since warmth shortens the life of cut flowers. Check the water or floral foam every day and top it up as needed. Remove any faded blooms as you notice them. Our guide to winter flower care has more tips for the cold months, including what to do when flowers arrive on a frosty day.
When to order
The holidays are a busy time for any florist, so it is a good idea to plan early. If the centrepiece is for a dinner on a particular day, ask for delivery a day or so before, which gives you time to find it the right spot. Our same-day delivery of fresh flowers across the GTA is there for last-minute plans, but we recommend ordering ahead during the holidays. If you need a specific time, please call us at 905-677-9999 before you order.
Giving a centrepiece as a gift
A centrepiece makes a generous gift for someone hosting a holiday dinner, as it takes one job off their list. Let them know it is coming, so that they can leave room on the table and decide whether to light the candles. Our guide to flowers for a holiday party host covers other ways to thank a host. Every order includes a free handwritten card. For other ideas, read our guide to Christmas flowers and holiday gift ideas or our care guide for poinsettias, which make an easy addition to an entryway. Our gift baskets are made to order and need at least one day's notice.
Browse our holiday table flowers
Every centrepiece is hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio. Delivery is free on orders over $50. See all of our Christmas and winter holiday flowers, or call us to talk through your table.