8 Creative Christmas Centerpiece Ideas With Candles

Let us inspire your holiday decor with these creative centerpiece ideas (and tips to design your own).

Updated November 19, 2019
Dining table place setting with Christmas holiday decorations

Sure, you can add some magic just by putting some pretty candles in your grandma's candleholders, but it's even more fun to embrace the holiday spirit with a special centerpiece. Try out these fun Christmas centerpiece ideas with candles to bring a little extra holiday cheer to your dining table, foyer, or any other spot in your home.

Foyer Table Christmas Candle Centerpiece

Table set for Christmas with candles and centerpiece

Try your hand at creating an artistic centerpiece like this one featuring round floating red tealights, two white pillar candles of different heights, and white tapers in multi-colored candle holders.

You'll need a white tray to hold the pillar candles and a few tealights. Add several pussy willow branches, two red rose blooms cushioned by eucalyptus sprigs, and various greenery. Showcase your centerpiece on a foyer or front entrance table.

Ice and Snow Centerpiece

Christmas decoration on a table

This striking centerpiece features a textured white pillar candle nestled in faux snow-covered pine boughs are decorated with cotton bolls, bundled cinnamon sticks, crystal teardrops, and mini white Christmas balls. Gold decorating wire is woven through the greenery. This makes a wonderful dinner table centerpiece for all your holiday meals.

Cranberry, Lime, and Star Candle Centerpiece

Holiday centerpiece cranberries, limes & star candles

Combine classicly festive red and green in this simple centerpiece. You just need a bowl filled with cranberries and sliced limes. Top it off with white star candles sprinkled with gold glitter for a fun breakfast table centerpiece.

Candy Canes and Candle Dripped Bottles

Christmas decorated table

You can create a budget-friendly Christmas centerpiece with candles when you use empty glass bottles and taper candles that drip. Allow the candle wax to drip along the sides of the bottles. Be sure to use a glass coaster decorated with small gold beads for a cute candle holder. Add a jar filled with candy canes flanked with pine and berry sprigs. It's a great choice for every day dining during the holiday season.

Unexpected Black Candle Christmas Centerpiece

Christmas decoration on a table

The unexpected is the theme for this Christmas centerpiece. Pine boughs dusted with snow are decorated with dried vines, white balls, and dried lotus pods painted white. Black pillar candles are evenly spaced in the center of the arrangement for a stunning yet unexpected addition. Use this as a dramatic mantel centerpiece or for an elegant Christmas dinner party.

Quick Tip

You can add any kind of black or white decorations to this modern centerpiece, so don't limit yourself to lotus pods. We love the idea of bringing in white seashells, pine cones painted white or black, or even flea market finds you've spray painted to fit the theme.

Simple Candle Ring

Candle Ring Christmas decor

This is perfect for placing on a buffet or brunch table.

  1. Choose a premade holiday candle ring with plain pine or holly accents.
  2. Choose a pillar candle that matches the size of the ring in a color that matches the décor of where the centerpiece will be placed.
  3. Add festive accents to the plain ring, such as silk poinsettia blooms, coordinating ribbon, or fake holiday candy.
  4. Insert the candle into the decorated ring.

Christmas Pillar Platter

Pillar Candle Centerpiece

Sturdy pillar candles are good to use when you know you'll be burning your centerpiece for a while.

  1. Select three pillar candles the same size.
  2. Wrap each pillar with wide decorative gold ribbon and secure with fabric adhesive.
  3. Select a tray or platter and arrange the three candles.
  4. Fill the tray/platter with various vine balls, painted wood curls and Christmas ornaments to your taste.

Gold or Bronze Taper Candle Bowl Centerpiece

Christmas gold taper candle decoration

Place this centerpiece on an end table or fireplace mantel.

  1. Use a brass advent 4-candle holder.
  2. Secure the candle holder in a gold or bronze bowl.
  3. Insert the gold or bronze taper candles in the candle holder.
  4. Add pine sprigs, pinecones, red berries, red ornament balls, cinnamon sticks, and florist greenery sprigs around the candles and holder until you've filled the bowl and the holder is camouflaged.

Tips for Christmas Centerpiece With Candles

There are many popular types of candles used in holiday centerpieces. Depending on the decoration style you want, you can choose the candles based on different characteristics.

Try New Candle Shapes

Pillar and taper candles are the most popular for Christmas, but ball candles that can resemble ornaments are also suitable. Tea light and votive candles can be used in smaller centerpieces. Whimsical centerpieces may use molded or sculpted pillar candles shaped like snowflakes, snowmen, holly leaves, Santa Claus, reindeer, or other festive symbols.

Consider Scented Candles

A scented candle centerpiece can turn an ordinary decoration into a stunning holiday accent. Gingerbread, vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon, cider, and pine scents are particularly popular for the holidays.

Give Some Thought to Candle Colors

Red and green are the obvious choices for candle colors for the holidays, but richer emerald and burgundy jewel tones can be elegant alternatives. Gold, silver, white, ivory, and ice blue are also popular candle colors, while mauve or purple candles are favorites for Advent candle centerpieces.

Experiment With Candle Styles

The arrangement of candles in a centerpiece has a dramatic impact on its style and beauty. Christmas candle centerpiece ideas include:

  • Single candles: One pillar or taper candle can be a stunning focal point of a centerpiece.
  • Wreaths: Candle rings or wreaths are popular and easy designs for holiday centerpieces.
  • Shields: A glass tube shielding a taper, votive, or pillar candle adds safety and elegance to a Christmas centerpiece with candles.
  • Lines: Several candles arranged in a line along a plate or mirror can be an elegant centerpiece for large spaces.
  • Bunches: Several candles of different heights or colors could be grouped together for a more substantial centerpiece.
  • Elevated: A single beautiful candlestick can be a simple, understated centerpiece. A more elaborate design may include multiple levels.

Add Accents to Christmas Candle Centerpieces

You can use accents throughout your Christmas candle centerpieces. Choose a theme for your accent pieces for a consistent look, such as greenery accents of berries, poinsettias, or pinecones. You can add sleigh bells, faux snow and ice, or Christmas icons and motifs, such as Santa Claus and elves.

Related: Advent Candle Meanings & Traditions to Illuminate the Holidays

Get Creative With Christmas Candle Centerpieces

A Christmas centerpiece with candles is an elegant addition to any holiday décor, and it could also be a beautiful holiday candle gift for a loved one or party hostess. This is such a fun and festive way to let your creativity out to play this holiday season.

Trending on LoveToKnow
8 Creative Christmas Centerpiece Ideas With Candles