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Easy Budget Friendly Centerpieces for Table

Last weekend we hosted a Fall Campfire Party and I needed an arrangement for the appetizer table. I wanted to create a unique but budget friendly centerpiece.

Here is how to create Easy Budget Friendly Centerpieces for a Table and use the items throughout the remainder of the season without any waste.

You may remember a few weeks ago, I shared Fall Decorations for Buffet Table for our Fall Campfire Party. Well, I had everything planned for the buffet table and the dining tables , however I had failed to plan for the appetizer table.


Centerpieces for Table on a Budget

First, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money but want your table to look great, here are some options.

I had purchased some fall plants to add to my planters around the greenhouse but I had not planted them yet.

So instead of planting the new plants, I decided to wait until after the party. I could use the plants to make a centerpiece for the appetizer table.

Next, look around your landscape for greenery or flowers that aren’t completely spent.

Most of my flowers had seen better days, but several marigold blooms looked great.

In addition, the nandina plants were starting to turn their color for fall. Since they could use a trim, they were a perfect choice.

Finally, decide what type of containers you want your centerpiece arranged in.

I have an abundance of thrifted baskets and decided to use them, along with a large terra cotta saucer, dough bowl and vintage mason jar.

I began by arranging the marigolds and nandina stems in the mason jar to add some additional height to the centerpiece.

If you have purchased gourds or pumpkins those are great to round out the Fall centerpiece for the table.


Easy Arrangement for Centerpiece

Before you begin, be sure that the soil is moist in all your plants. Since you may not be able to water again, it’s best to arrange your centerpiece just before your event.

First, I used this large basket to place all the new plants inside. This basket doesn’t have a flat bottom and therefore, I placed it on top of a large terra cotta saucer to keep it tilted forward.

Next, begin adding your plants to the basket. Start with your tallest plants and fill in around those.

If your basket is deep, you can add containers to lift up the plants and keep them from disappearing inside the basket. Here, a whipped topping container, serves as a riser for the ornamental cabbage and fern.


Place Centerpiece on the Table

Once the main centerpiece was finished, I added a second basket to hold another ornamental cabbage.

In addition, a simple box riser was added to elevate the mason jar and marigold arrangement.

I love that the centerpiece appears to be spilling out of the baskets! Instead of placing the baskets at the center of the table, I placed them at the back edge. This allows all the appetizers to be within easy reach a the front of the table.


DIY Budget friendly Centerpiece

To complete the budget friendly centerpiece, a vintage brass candlestick with an Antique Candle Co. fall scent and the dough bowl, filled with the gourds & squash, was added.

The Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Bites were a big hit, as was the centerpiece.

Reuse the centerpiece plants

Each of centerpiece plants can be placed in permanent containers after the event. You are then able to enjoy them for the rest of the season.

Everything used for the DIY Budget Friendly Centerpiece was free or something that I had planned to purchase anyway. Therefore, nothing is wasted and the table looks great.

Left over marigolds and a few lingering zinnias are added to the vintage soda bottles on the outdoor bar.

I hope you enjoyed this Easy Budget Friendly Centerpiece Idea! You can see how to make the hand painted table runner’s here.

Thanks for stopping by today! I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you!

Pin it to remember it

Kim | Shiplap and Shells

Saturday 2nd of October 2021

Thank you for the great centerpiece tips, Rachel!

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Sunday 3rd of October 2021

Kim, You are so welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

CoCo

Friday 1st of October 2021

This arrangement is beautiful Rachel! I love all the different types of plants you used and how they work so well together for the season. Kale is one of my all-time favorites so it was fun to see you use it front and center. Hope your October is off to a great start, CoCo

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Friday 1st of October 2021

Coco, Thanks so much for stopping.

KariAnne

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

These are so lovely! Thank you for the inspiration! Happy day! KariAnne

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Thursday 30th of September 2021

KariAnne, I appreciate you for stopping by.

Debra Oliver

Tuesday 28th of September 2021

it's really amazing how you pulled all these fall plants together for a beautiful basket centerpiece. Love the kale! You've inspired me to salvage a few of my marigold blooms for a bouquet.

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Tuesday 28th of September 2021

Debra, I'm glad you found some inspiration here. Thanks for stopping by.

stacy

Tuesday 28th of September 2021

Rachel what a great idea! Love how you pulled your centerpiece together!

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Tuesday 28th of September 2021

Stacy, Thanks so much. You are the centerpiece Queen!!