We don't all have the time to pick fresh cut flowers from our gardens (for those of us lucky enough to have gardens), nor do we all have the time or money to buy flowers. But it is nice to have something to fill up your vases from time-to-time. Besides, it's handy to have a few items and ideas for centrepieces in your back pocket for those last-minute dinner invites you've decided to dole out. Hey, you may even want to keep things looking pretty for yourself.
Here are a few ideas to put together some quick and casual (and cheap) centrepieces.
Feathers
Feathers can be arranged just like flowers and are gorgeous enough to stand on their own in any nice vessel. They're also quite affordable and will last a heck of a lot longer than flowers.
Above: On the left, a dozen 10" peacock feathers for $7.50 from suppliesfromnadia's Etsy shop. And on the right, two dozen green and gold 1-3" peacock plummage for $6 carolinesfeathers' Etsy shop
Paper
There are endless do-it-yourself ideas for quick and casual paper flowers. And if you're looking for something to occupy the kiddies, you can turn craft time into something for the table. You'll have your kids' new DIY skills to chat about over dinner! But if you're not the crafty type (like me), you can turn to those who are crafty and buy some pretty adorable and chic paper flowers online.
Above: a bouquet of paper flowers for $30 from FlowerThyme's Etsy shop
Fruit
There's nothing simpler than grabbing one of your favourite big bowls from your cupboard and filling it with fruit. It's an easy quick fix for a centrepiece at a casual get-together, and if you're not serving dessert, you and your guests can grab something sweet from the bowl post meal.
Above: image via clayirving on flickr
Jessica McLaughlin is a freelance writer by night in Toronto who spends her days as a web manager. You can find her at homeware.tumblr.com where she blogs about kitchen and dinnerware.
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