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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Pallet Centerpiece for Your Christmas Table

    December 4, 2020 by Patti Estep 27 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Two images. Top shows two pallet board clamped together and bottom is a decorated table with the boards stained and made into a tray with candles, greens and clove studded fruit.

    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.

    Pallet centerpiece with white candles, cedar branches, orange & lemons studded with cloves and pomegranates

    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.

    Large collage of blog hop Christmas wreaths, trees and table decorations.

    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.

    Two boards from a wood pallet glued together in a vice.

    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.

    Pallet boards stained in a brown gel antique color.

    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.

    Backside of stained pallet boards next to a piece of flannel red fabric cut to fit the boards.

    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.

    Red flannel fabric glued to the back of the boards.

    You can still see some of the nails on the right side but the flannel was thick enough to keep it from scratching.

    Old thrift store belt with flowers etched into it.

    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.

    Drill making holes in the belt material.

    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.

    Screws holding the belt strips onto the wood pallet board.

    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.

    Wood pallet tray with white candles, pomegranates, and clove studded lemons and clementines.

    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.

    Dining room table set with red and white dishes and a DIY pallet centerpiece with cedar, white candles and 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, ...

    Red and white place setting with a folded napkin holding silverware.

    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.

    • Square napkin folded in half

    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.
    Dining room tablescape set with red and white dishes and a DIY pallet centerpiece with cedar, white candles and clove studded citrus fruit.

    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.

    Table with a wood pallet centerpiece with white candles, cedar branches, orange & lemons studded with cloves and pomegranates.
    Pallet centerpiece with white candles, cedar branches, orange & lemons studded with cloves and pomegranates
    Print

    DIY Pallet Centerpiece

    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.
    Prep Time1 d
    Active Time1 hr
    Total Time1 d 1 hr
    Course: Christmas Decorations
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $15

    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.
    handdrawn graphic of a bell in a swag labeled Christmas trees
    collage showing four different decorated Christmas trees

    Atta Girl Says // Harbour Breeze Home // Kippi at Home // A Life Unfolding

    handdrawn graphic of a bell in a swag labeled tabelscapes and centerpieces
    collage showing four Christmas tablescapes and centerpieces

    Thistle Key Lane // Aratari At Home // Postcards from the Ridge // What Meegan Makes

    collage showing four Christmas tablescapes and centerpieces

    Hearth and Vine // Sustain My Craft Habit // My Family Thyme // Dabbling & Decorating

    handdrawn graphic of a bell in a swag labeled wreaths and door decor
    collage of four different Christmas wreaths and other holiday door decor

    Worthing Court // The Tattered Pew // Zucchini Sisters // Sweet Pea

    collage of four different Christmas wreaths and other holiday door decor

    Noting Grace // Sonya Burgess Blog // White Arrows Home // The Little by Little Home

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leen Curinga

      December 20, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 20, 2020 at 4:39 pm

        Thanks Leen. I'm looking forward to the days when I can go thrifting with friends again very soon. Merry Christmas!

        Reply
    2. Rebecca

      December 12, 2020 at 9:41 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 13, 2020 at 6:24 am

        Thanks Rebecca. It was so fun to make. I'm looking forward to being able to use it in other ways in the future.

        Reply
    3. Lynne

      December 11, 2020 at 9:07 pm

      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!

      Reply
    4. Atta Girl Amy

      December 11, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      Love this idea, Patti! Your table is so pretty, and I know it smells amazing with the evergreen and pomander balls.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 11, 2020 at 2:42 pm

        Thanks Amy. It does smell great and it was so fun and inspiring to see all the great creativity from all the bloggers.

        Reply
    5. Sonja

      December 08, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 09, 2020 at 6:16 am

        That's so great Sonja. Merry Christmas!

        Reply
    6. Kristin

      December 06, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      I love this idea!! I love the leather handles and how you styled it! So pretty!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 07, 2020 at 6:21 am

        Thanks Kristin. All the Christmas ideas were so inspiring this year.

        Reply
    7. Leigh

      December 06, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      Patti,
      I love this! The natural elements made so festive is so pretty. Love this idea and the belt as straps is so clever!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 06, 2020 at 4:23 pm

        Thanks Leigh. I still have some of that belt left. Who knows when it will come in handy again.

        Reply
    8. [email protected]

      December 06, 2020 at 6:56 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 06, 2020 at 7:31 am

        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.

        Reply
    9. Kelly Radcliff

      December 05, 2020 at 12:20 pm

      Patti you are so creative! I absolutely love the leather straps you added. The greenery and spiced oranges make it just beautiful. Merry Christmas!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 06, 2020 at 6:15 am

        Thanks Kelly. Decorating for Christmas is a great way to lift our spirits. Merry Christmas to you too!

        Reply
    10. Sonya

      December 04, 2020 at 4:46 pm

      Beautiful tablescape and love the pallet boards being used to create something so pretty and useful, genius. Happy Holidays.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 05, 2020 at 7:05 am

        Thanks Sonya. I love it when something simple works out the way you want it to.

        Reply
    11. Rita Joy @ Harbour Breeze Home

      December 04, 2020 at 2:25 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 04, 2020 at 2:33 pm

        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.

        Reply
    12. Lindsay Aratari

      December 04, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      I bet this smells so good! I love your tablescape!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 04, 2020 at 1:24 pm

        It really does. Thanks Lindsay!

        Reply
    13. [email protected]

      December 04, 2020 at 10:33 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 04, 2020 at 10:34 am

        Thanks Libbie. I do hope to use it for special dinners too. So glad you like it. Happy Holidays to you too!

        Reply
    14. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane

      December 04, 2020 at 8:58 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 04, 2020 at 9:04 am

        Thanks Michelle. I know you will make something beautiful for your table.

        Reply

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