Fresh Meets Faux: The Trick to a Long-Lasting Christmas Centerpiece

Hey friends! I was excited to get my table centerpiece ready for Christmas, but I knew that using all live greenery would be a problem this early in the season. So, I decided to mix a little fresh with a little faux. I combined gathered magnolia leaves and pinecones (which dry beautifully) with artificial cedar stems that won’t flake onto the table next week. This easy, long-lasting Christmas centerpiece is simple to make and will look great for weeks to come. Let me show you how I styled it.

(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)

Christmas Centerpiece Container

The first step in planning a Christmas Centerpiece is determining what container you want to use. I had been searching for a painted planter for some time and recently found this great wooden piece at a thrift store in Wilmington. I loved that it had a lid so that it could be used without an arrangement as well. I snatched it up, removed all the faux succulents, and it was ready for my Christmas centerpiece.

Real Vs. Faux Greenery

Next, determine which greenery you plan to use for your arrangement. Since I wanted to make this centerpiece early in the season, I opted for faux pine and cedar stems, since both fresh versions dry out quickly and need to be replaced before the season is over.

Then I decided to use fresh magnolia leaves as the base of the centerpiece. Magnolia leaves will last for several weeks and remain fresh with proper care. You can learn more about keeping real greenery fresh at How To Keep Christmas Greenery Fresh Longer.

How To Make Pinecone Christmas Centerpiece Step-By-Step

Here is how to easily make a Pinecone Christmas Centerpiece. Gather your supplies, including several fresh magnolia stems. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

Step 1 – Fill Container with Styrofoam

My container was already filled with styrofoam, so I didn’t have to apply this step. However, you want to secure the styrofoam with hot glue to ensure that it is firmly attached to the planter.

Step 2 – Add Magnolia Stems

Next, begin adding the magnolia stems. I cut the stems so that the leaves would spread out over the edges of the planter. Then I pressed the stems into the styrofoam.

Next, fill in any gaps in the arrangement with individual leaves. I used an ice pick to create a hole in the styrofoam, filled it with hot glue, and inserted the stems of the leaves to secure them.

Step 3 – Add Faux Pine and Cedar Stems

Next, begin adding the faux pine and cedar stems. I began with the faux pine and pinecone stems. I inserted the stem into the styrofoam and bent the branches to drape over the magnolia leaves. After all the pine stems were added, I did the same technique with the cedar stems. Continue filling until you have a full arrangement with no gaps around the edges.

Step 4 – Arrange the Bleached Pinecones and Magnolia Seed Pods

Finally, add the bleached pinecones and magnolia seed pods to the top of the greenery. I found it wasn’t necessary to attach these pieces permanently. They locked into the greenery easily, allowing me to rearrange until I was happy with the look.

I began by nestling a few of the seed pods among the cedar greenery, then added the pinecones. Finally, I filled in the gaps with more seed pods. Pull the cedar stems in between and around the cones.

Christmas Table Pinecone and Greenery Centerpiece

I’m loving the pinecone-and-greenery centerpiece for this year’s Christmas table. It’s a perfect blend of rustic but elegant farmhouse charm.

The thrifted footed, painted container adds height to the centerpiece without the need for a table riser.

The bleached pinecones pair well with the magnolia seed pods, adding a rustic, organic feel to the evergreen centerpiece.

The centerpiece also blends with the wall basket arrangement that is the focal point of the gallery wall. I can’t wait to share the finished Christmas tablescape coming later this week, so stay tuned.

I hope you enjoyed today’s Christmas table centerpiece idea. Here are a few other Christmas greenery ideas you may want to save.