I'll never pass up an opportunity to entertain, but I can start to get a little particular about my table decor during the holiday rush. It feels a bit like re-wearing an old outfit: How do you create a look that feels fresh without spending a lot on new pieces?
When it comes to Christmas table decor ideas, I've been using a trusty trick I learnt from McGee & Co last year. In a short Instagram video, Shea McGee shared her 'no-fail approach' to table centerpieces – and it's really stuck with me.
The hack involves just a few easy styling rules; and rather than calling for bouquets of fresh flowers or piles of new tableware, the entire look comes together with pieces you likely already own. Think antique brass candle holders like these from McGee & Co, paired with a statement bowl or tray.
'I'm often asked how to style a dining table when you're not using a formal floral arrangement,' says Shea in the video. The key, she reveals, is 'pairing groupings': creating combinations of pieces with different heights, silhouettes, and textures.
'I usually look for a group of two: one taller thing and a shorter thing,' she explains. 'Maybe it's a larger vase and a bowl – a vase that looks good with or without flowers, and a bowl that looks good with or without fruit in it.'
To recreate Shea's festive farmhouse look, I'd start with McGee & Co's elegant Delphine footed vase paired with the Olindo serving bowls for a contrasting silhouette. If you're after a more rustic look, try a round ceramic vase and a lower, wider bowl like the Dion serving bowl.
'I also look at a grouping of three,' continues Shea. 'This is potentially a pair of taper candles – those look good lit or unlit – and then I'll pair them with something lower, placing a tray or a bowl next to them.'
Taper candles are one of Shea's top hosting hacks for fall 2025, and they're a reliable way to elevate any tablescape. Choose thin taper candles for a dainty, minimalist scheme, or introduce some texture to your table using a twisted taper candle set.
You can experiment with the colors, of course, and invest in a few statement candle holders to tie the look together. (I would group a handsome marble tray with petite Cosima taper candle holders, and add something taller like the Fey taper holder to vary the heights even further.)
Shea's table centerpiece hack proves that expert tablescaping comes down to creativity and a dash of resourcefulness. Beautiful blooms will always make an impact, but a spectacular tablescape doesn't necessarily require a trip to the florist.
By carefully combining old and new pieces, Shea creates, in her words, a 'no-fail approach to a simple dining look that you don't have to buy fresh flowers for'.
Shop Shea McGee's Table Centerpiece Essentials
I love the traditional look of these candle holders; they're eye-catching, elegant, and timeless. Plus, it's so easy to mix and match different heights.
Handsome and practical, these footed boards are a hosting staple. You can even layer them with other pieces like small nesting bowls to create more visual interest.
These taupe taper candles are wonderfully versatile: they complement both neutral and bold color schemes, and they'll always add some sophistication to your space.
Bring the scalloped decor trend to your table with these charming serving bowls. They pair perfectly with rustic dinnerware and organic materials like McGee & Co's braided placemats.
For a more contemporary look, try these glass taper holders. Since they're lower, you can combine them with taller pieces like bud vases, and they'll bring plenty of texture to your table.
I adore the shape of this ceramic vase; it creates an instantly stylish centerpiece, and I know my guests will be swooning.
If you do fancy bringing some fresh flowers or foliage to your table, you really don't need to buy them; Joanna Gaines' DIY centerpiece hack produces a magnificent arrangement using cuttings from your backyard.
