This DIY pallet centerpiece is perfect for a beautiful Christmas table with just two pallet boards. An old belt is used for handles making it easy to pick the entire centerpiece up and move out of the way in time for dinner.
Christmas is just around the corner and even if you are just celebrating with a few people creating a beautiful tablescape can really help you enjoy a special dinner at home.
Today I'm sharing my Christmas table decorations as part of a huge Celebrating Christmas Tour. If you are coming over from What Meegan Makes, welcome! Meegan's style is as sweet as her personality. There are bloggers sharing Christmas tree ideas, wreaths, and some like Meegan and myself who are sharing Christmas tablescapes and centerpieces. Jane and Sonja from Sustain My Craft Habit are next in this blog hop so don't forget to stop and see what their Christmas table is like.
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A big thanks to Leen at Sand Dollar Lane and Amy from Atta Girl Says for putting this tour together! See all the details at the bottom of this post.
But first, take a look at this beautiful fragrant Christmas pallet centerpiece project.
Making a Christmas Pallet Centerpiece
We had some leftover wood pallet boards from my pallet garden last spring. I glued two of them together in a wood clamp overnight.
Next, I used some dark antique wax to give it a darker uniform look. You could use stain or paint, whatever you have on hand.
On the bottom I covered the wood with some red flannel fabric, to give it a finished look and to protect the surface of our table.
You can still see some of the nails on the right side but the flannel was thick enough to keep it from scratching.
I kept this cute old belt that I bought at Goodwill. Originally I used some of it to make a leather bracelet. This time I used it for handles.
I cut strips of the belt about 1 by 5 inches for each side of the pallet boards. Then I drilled pilot holes on each end.
That made it easy to manually screw in some simple screws. Just make sure your screws are not so long that they come through the other side.
Cute, huh? The handles make it easy to move for dinner.
Now for the decorating. I started with white pillar candles. Then I added clementines and lemons studded with whole cloves. A couple of pomegranates for a little red color are added in. Also, I used a few wood slices to add height. You can find other things around the house to use as risers such as lids from jars and containers and then cover them with the cedar before adding the fruit.
Next, I added fresh cedar and juniper among the fruit and candles. The greens cover the wood slices so you could really use anything for risers. Lids from jars, ...
Once again I'm using my collected red transferware for this Christmas table. The chargers are from the dollar store and the bowls are reproduction depression glass I bought several years ago.
How to fold a napkin to hold silverware.
Do you like the way I set the silverware? Here's how you can fold a large square napkin to make a pocket for a knife and fork.
- Start with a square napkin and fold it in half
- Then fold it in half a second time.
- Lift up one corner and bring it to the opposite corner.
- Then flip the whole napkin over towards you.
- Now fold 1/3 of the napkin from the top down.
- Next, take the bottom third and fold it up placing the corner into the little triangular pocket.
- Turn it over and you have a folded napkin with a pocket for your silverware.
Usually, I cover the table with a pretty tablecloth. However, this year I thought it would be nice to let the natural wood color show. I love the way it looks and it smells wonderful too. The great thing is you could easily make this pallet centerpiece several days to a week ahead. One less thing to worry about.
DIY Pallet Centerpiece
Equipment
- Wood clamp
- Sponge brush
- scissors
- Drill and a small bit
Materials
- 2 wood pallet boards
- wood glue
- wood stain or antiquing gel
- Flannel fabric or felt
- Fabric glue
- Old belt or strips of leather
- 2 small screws
- 3 pillar candles
- Fresh cedar or other evergreens
- 2 pomegranates
- 4 clementines
- 4 lemons
- whole cloves
Instructions
- Glue two wood pallet boards together on one long side and clamp together until dry.
- Use a wood stain or antiquing gel to cover the tops and sides.
- Once the stain is dry glue some felt or soft fabric to the backside of the boards.
- Cut a strip of leather, vinyl, or an old belt about 1 inch wide by 5 inches long.
- Drill a small hole at each end of the leather strip.
- Put the screws into the holes and screw them into the pallet at each end.
- Decorate with white pillar candles, fresh greenery, and fruit studded with whole cloves.
Atta Girl Says // Harbour Breeze Home // Kippi at Home // A Life Unfolding
Thistle Key Lane // Aratari At Home // Postcards from the Ridge // What Meegan Makes
Hearth and Vine // Sustain My Craft Habit // My Family Thyme // Dabbling & Decorating
Worthing Court // The Tattered Pew // Zucchini Sisters // Sweet Pea
Noting Grace // Sonya Burgess Blog // White Arrows Home // The Little by Little Home
Leen Curinga
Patti, you are so darn clever. I wouldn't have spotted that belt and thought bracelet and tray handles! I bet you are fun to go thrifting with!
Your tablescape turned out so pretty. I am loving all the natural elements!
Patti Estep
Thanks Leen. I'm looking forward to the days when I can go thrifting with friends again very soon. Merry Christmas!
Rebecca
Patti, your DIY pallet board centerpiece is so creative! I love how you used a thrift store belt as the handles. It looks lovely styled on your table with the candles, greens and fruits. I love your red dishes, too. Merry Christmas!
Patti Estep
Thanks Rebecca. It was so fun to make. I'm looking forward to being able to use it in other ways in the future.
Lynne
I love your beautiful pallet board and the natural centerpiece you created! It looks lovely and I bet it smells amazing too! Merry Christmas, Patti!
Atta Girl Amy
Love this idea, Patti! Your table is so pretty, and I know it smells amazing with the evergreen and pomander balls.
Patti Estep
Thanks Amy. It does smell great and it was so fun and inspiring to see all the great creativity from all the bloggers.
Sonja
I'm so excited because I have everything here to make this wood pallet tray! Using an old leather belt for the handles is genius. Thanks so much for the inspo and wishing you a very merry Christmas!
Patti Estep
That's so great Sonja. Merry Christmas!
Kristin
I love this idea!! I love the leather handles and how you styled it! So pretty!
Patti Estep
Thanks Kristin. All the Christmas ideas were so inspiring this year.
Leigh
Patti,
I love this! The natural elements made so festive is so pretty. Love this idea and the belt as straps is so clever!
Patti Estep
Thanks Leigh. I still have some of that belt left. Who knows when it will come in handy again.
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I love how you use two pallet boards to make your centerpiece and the pieces of leather belt you added make this project extra special. The embossed leather reminds me of a belt my dad had in the 70s that is hanging in my closet right now. I also love how you decorated your centerpiece with loved fruit and candles. I hope you and your family enjoy some meals together at the beautiful table that you created this holiday season!
Patti Estep
Thanks Paula. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that belt was from the 70's. I just loved the embossed flowers. How special that you have your dad's belt. I have a ton of ties from my dad. He was a bit of nut with his love of ties. I made a kissing ball with some of them a while back. You mentioning your dad reminded me that I need to come up with another fun project to make with dad's ties. Merry Christmas to you and yours Paula.
Kelly Radcliff
Patti you are so creative! I absolutely love the leather straps you added. The greenery and spiced oranges make it just beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Patti Estep
Thanks Kelly. Decorating for Christmas is a great way to lift our spirits. Merry Christmas to you too!
Sonya
Beautiful tablescape and love the pallet boards being used to create something so pretty and useful, genius. Happy Holidays.
Patti Estep
Thanks Sonya. I love it when something simple works out the way you want it to.
Rita Joy @ Harbour Breeze Home
What a clever idea for a pallet centerpiece! I love it. Thanks for sharing your creative and budget friendly ideas. Those oranges look stunning. Merry Christmas to you.
Patti Estep
Thanks Rita. I wanted to use fresh elements but I was amazed at how nice it smelled in the dining room. Always a bonus. Merry Christmas.
Lindsay Aratari
I bet this smells so good! I love your tablescape!
Patti Estep
It really does. Thanks Lindsay!
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Patti, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this centerpiece idea. Your instructions are easy to follow and it will work for all year. Pinned. Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays.
Patti Estep
Thanks Libbie. I do hope to use it for special dinners too. So glad you like it. Happy Holidays to you too!
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane
Patti, this is just the project I need for my long dining table. The fresh citrus and pomegranates creates a beautiful arrangement and the greenery really takes it over the top. Love how you made the leather handles too. I can't wait to give this a try. Pinning of course!
Patti Estep
Thanks Michelle. I know you will make something beautiful for your table.