Looking for budget-friendly holiday decor that still wows your guests? Transform ordinary glass bottles into an elegant, easy DIY Christmas centerpiece in under an hour with this simple upcycled craft project.
Turn old glass bottles into a beautiful, easy DIY Christmas centerpiece that will be the talk of your holiday dining table!
This simple project costs less than $10 and creates stunning Christmas holiday table decor using materials you likely already have at home.
This inexpensive centerpiece works perfectly as the center of your table, complementing your place settings and glassware without overwhelming your dining room tablescape.
Upcycling is the practice of transforming discarded materials into something new and useful, and it is one of the most rewarding ways to create Christmas holiday table decor.
Instead of throwing away those empty wine bottles or mason jars, you’re giving them a beautiful second life while reducing waste.
Plus, this easy DIY Christmas centerpiece project adds a personal, eco-friendly touch to your celebrations that guests always appreciate. It’s sustainable decorating at its finest!
What You’ll Need For This Project
- Empty clear glass wine bottles
- Goo Gone — a solution that removes sticky labels
- Pliers
- Scissors
- Living or artificial evergreen sprigs and berries
- White candlesticks
- Paper towels
- Razor blade (not pictured)
- Small decorative elements (optional): berries, pinecones, or ornaments
Steps for Making Your Easy DIY Christmas Centerpiece
Prepare Your Bottle Foundation
Start by thoroughly cleaning your glass bottles, removing any labels and adhesive residue. Wine bottles work beautifully for this project, but mason jars or repurposed vases create different looks that complement various Christmas table decor styles.
Pro Tip: Choose bottles with wider bases for better stability at the center of the table, especially if using real candles.
Create Your Greenery Base
Gather your evergreen sprigs around the bottle neck. Fresh sprigs from pine, fir, or cedar work wonderfully and add that authentic Christmas scent.
For longer-lasting centerpieces, artificial greenery is a practical choice that looks just as beautiful.
Add Your Candle
Place a taper candle in the bottle opening. The candle should fit snugly but not be forced.
Safety Tip: Use dripless candles to avoid wax mess on your table, and never leave burning candles unattended.
Final Holiday Touches
Tuck small decorative elements like red berries, mini pinecones, or tiny ornaments into the greenery for extra festive flair.
Creative Variations to Try
Color Schemes for Different Tablescapes:
- Gold ribbon with white candles for elegant sophistication
- Natural twine with cream candles for rustic dining room charm
- Silver accents with blue candles for winter wonderland theme
Different Bottle Styles:
- Tall wine bottles for dramatic height on your dining table
- Short mason jars for cozy, casual table setting ideas
- Vintage bottles for shabby chic appeal
Seasonal Adaptations:
- Add cinnamon sticks for warm, spicy scent
- Include dried orange slices for natural decoration
- Mix in holly branches or small wreaths for traditional Christmas look
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Secure with Festive Ribbon
Wrap red ribbon or rustic twine around the greenery to hold everything in place. This adds a pop of Christmas color and keeps your arrangement secure.
Try different ribbon styles for various looks:
- Velvet ribbon for elegant dinner parties
- Burlap twine for farmhouse Christmas style
- Plaid ribbon for traditional holiday charm
- Stability First: Test your centerpiece before the big dinner to ensure candles won’t tip over on your dining table
- Scale Appropriately: Make multiple smaller centerpieces rather than one large one for better table conversation and to complement your place settings
- Plan Ahead: Artificial greenery centerpieces can be made weeks in advance
- Safety Always: Consider LED candles for homes with children or pets
- Tablescape Coordination: Choose ribbon colors that complement your existing glassware and table setting ideas
Your Beautiful Christmas Holiday Table Decor Awaits
This easy DIY Christmas centerpiece proves that stunning Christmas holiday table decor doesn’t require a big budget.
With just a few simple materials and 30 minutes of crafting time, you’ll have an elegant inexpensive centerpiece that rivals expensive store-bought decorations and perfectly anchors the center of your table.
The warm candlelight combined with fresh greenery creates the perfect ambiance for your dining room, while the personal touch of this handmade easy DIY Christmas centerpiece makes your celebration even more special.
It coordinates beautifully with any tablescape, from formal place settings to casual family gatherings.
How To Make an Easy DIY Glass Bottle Christmas Centerpiece
Materials
- Empty clear glass wine bottles
- Goo Gone — a solution that removes sticky labels
- Living or artificial evergreen sprigs and berries
- White candlesticks
- Paper towels
- Razor blade (not pictured)
Tools
- Pliers
- Scissors
Instructions
- Clean bottles - Remove labels and wash thoroughly
- Add greenery - Arrange evergreen sprigs around bottle neck
- Tie ribbon - Secure greenery with ribbon or twine
- Insert candle - Place taper candle in bottle opening
- Add accents - Tuck in berries or decorative elements
- Display - Place at center of dining table
We’d Love to See Your Creations!
Tag us on social media @Curbly, sharing your results photos. Did you try a different color scheme or add your own creative twist to your Christmas holiday table decor? We love seeing how you make these projects your own!
Pin this tutorial for easy reference, and don’t forget to check out our other budget-friendly Christmas craft ideas for more holiday inspiration.
Looking for more DIY Christmas decor ideas? Browse Curbly’s collection of easy holiday crafts that transform everyday items into festive decorations.
