I'm feeling all the holiday vibes lately, anyone else?!? With Thanksgiving just in the books, and Christmas right after that, I decided to share a simple, cheap, and easy holiday table scape you can DIY in just a few minutes! Seriously, this took me under 15 minutes, and cost me under $15! I added some tips below on ways you can tweak it and make it your own too! I hope you love it!
What You'll Need:
– Eucalyptus
– Apples
– Candles (tea light or stick or a mix!)
– Knife
– Spoon or measuring teaspoon
– Optional: white pumpkins or table runners
Putting Together Your Table Scape
Step 1: The Surface
You can either lay down a table runner, table cloths, or just clean your table and use that (which is what I did for the photos).
Some table runners I came across that I think would be perfect for this include a white faux fur, white cotton, and a natural cotton.
Step 2: Eucalyptus
Next you'll want to lay out your eucalyptus. There are three parts of the eucalyptus that I'm going to reference, so to make sure we are on the same page (and since I don't know the formal names):
The leaves (look like traditional leaves)
The bulbs (tiny little greenish yellow bushels), and
The sprigs (tall stick like with the leaves coming out the side stacked (far left and right below)
Personally I like to lay down the leaves and bulbs first, with the more “fan like” portions at the ends of the table. Next, I weave in the sprigs to fill in lighter parts of the spread. I do this because eventually the center of the table will be a little thinner than the ends, but I don't want them to feel empty. Plus, I like the middle a little thinner because that's where you'll likely have more serving plates or condiments during your meal.
Step 3: Lay Out The Trimmings
You'll want a center point, I used a white pumpkin that I had left over from halloween, and just added to at the end to balance it.
Some other options include a lantern, the gorgeous candle box from Hearth & Hand, a mix of formal metal candle stick holders (also Hearth & Hand) serving plate, etc.
Fill in the gaps with the apples so you know how many you'll need for the next step (no need to cut too many apples!)
Step 4: Cut the apple candle holders
Trace
Place the candle atop the apple and either mark with a pencil/pen or go around the edge carefully with a knife.
Cut
One the apple is marked, use a knife to cut the candles shape.
Scoop
Next, use a spoon, or if using small apples like me, the 1/4 teaspoon from the measuring sets. Scoop around the line you cut to get the shape, then dig in a little deeper (otherwise the candle will be too shallow and pop out of the apple).
For tea light candles: Place the candle in the hole, then using a towel, wrap the apple completely and press the candle in deeper. This is for two reasons: 1) the apple is going to juice a little and 2) if you didn't cut the apple deep enough the tea lights metal will be exposed and could knick you a little or just be uncomfortable.
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Step 5: Replace the apples and zhooshing
Put the apples back, and zhoosh up any hollow places. Feel free to cut some of the eucalyptus from fuller areas and use it as a filler.
Set your table however you like and enjoy!
And don't forget to check out last years fall table scape for more inspiration!
Originally published 11/13/17
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SAVE FOR LATER:
im hosting thanksgiving this year and this is such a great idea! i may have to try it!
Ohh love this soo much! It looks so pretty and I love that it’s inexpensive! Thanks for sharing.
Oooh pretty. I will try it for the holidays.
Love this! Such a cute and easy tablescape!
Wow, that turned out really nice! It’s simple, yet captivating!
It looks great! I like how it isn’t too tall, so it won’t interfere with conversations.
This is SO CUTE THO. I lovelovelove that little white pumpkin!!
Oh my gosh! This is adorable! Such a great idea to put candles in the apples, and I always love white pumpkins!
This is so pretty, Rachel! Love that it’s easy and can be done on a budget– thanks for sharing!
How gorgeous!! I totally want to do this at my parents for Thanksgiving this year!
I love this!!! I have been dreaming up ways to help decorate my mom’s table for Thanksgiving and this is absolutely perfect. I love the eucalyptus & white pumpkins so much. It’s the perfect mix of organic elegance. 🙂
How easy is that?! its so pretty! Thanks for sharing this.
I’m OBSESSED with this tablescape! I almost did something like this for my Friendsgiving party I had, but I couldn’t find any real Eucalyptus near me. SO, so pretty!
Absolutely beautiful. What a fun, cheap and eye-catching way to enjoy your holiday meals at the table. I’m curious to know where you found your eucalyptus. I’ll have to do a little internet search 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
xxx,
Mary
Trader joe’s! $2.99 a bushel! I used two to get this look!
This is so cute! I can’t believe you did it for just $15! I’m a huge fan of bargaining, so this is amazing. Lovelovelove it!
THIS IS AN awesome idea!!
This came out so nicely! If we had a dining room table, I’d definitely do this haha.
This is so cute! I might do this for our table
This is soo pretty!! I love it, so stunning and perfect for the holidays!
OMG I’m obsessed with this! You make it look so easy!
This is beautiful and easy to accomplish. I love eucalyptus, it looks great as a tablescape. Great idea!
This is gorg! I love eucalyptus.
Ahh! I love this! And you made it so easy for us to put together. Love the candles/apples! Adorable.
Okay, this is really beautiful and I loved how you explained how to do it in the photo with the text. I always see stuff like this and wonder “how in the world do they do that?!”
This turned out so pretty! i can’t believe how easy it was either!
So simple and easy to do. I love how elegant it looks as well.
Love love love this idea! I am looking for tea-light candles for our table, I think it adds such a great element to dinners like these. Such a creative tablescape Rachel!
I lovelovelove this! I love how unique eucalyptus looks and it smells amazing too!
Yes! it smells SO good!
This is absolutely gorgeous! This is a project that the entire family could join in and have fun with.
LOVE this! Mike’s friend/co-worker in Park City might come to Aspen for Thanksgiving with his girlfriend so if they do, I’m totally copying this!
Do it! it’s so easy and looks so elegant!
This is so gorgeous! We just finished putting up our Christmas tree so we need to find a way to mix fall decor with Christmas ones haha.
Haha i totally get that! Our tree is up too 🙂
Love it. And I bet it smells amazing! So nice to know this can be done on the cheap. Thank you!
This is so pretty and looks easy to do! I love the way it came out. I have never thought to use eucalyptus.
What a beautiful, simple tablescape. I love the mix of apples and pumpkins. I always think to use pumpkins but never think to use apples. How fun!
This is beautiful! I love that it is so cheap! Some of the decor is out of control expensive. But this is pretty and lovely without breaking the bank.
Okay yo, this is so pretty! I can’t believe it’s that easy/inexpensive to make!
I love the use of apples – what a festive and easy solution! I’ll have to try this out 🙂
I love anything with eucalyptus – and the apples are a sweet touch! Very pretty tablescape.
I bet those apple candle holders end up smelling really good! I’ve always gone to my parents for Thanksgiving, but I would love to do this one year if I ever host a dinner.
This is such a pretty idea! I can’t wait to decorate for Christmas!
I love this look and you’re so right, it’s so easy and cheap to put together! Also, loving the Hearth & Hand candle holder you included 🙂 Can I just have everything from the Hearth & Hand line?!
Your table look fabulous! I have a eucalyptus plant in my yard and it has the roundish leaves on the rather stiff stalks that you mentioned. I have seen pictures of the leafy leaves but I have never seen those. I assume they must be a different type of eucalyptus. And I’ve never seen the bulbs. I am so intrigued!
🙂 gwingal
Oh my gosh, that is such a beautiful table!! I absolutely love the apples, such a smart addition.
I love that center piece. It is so beautiful.
This is stunning! I love eucalyptus- looks gorg!
This is a GORGEOUS table scape! I love love love this. I am going to make apple tea lights asap.
Oh my gosh it’s gorgeous! Thanks for the step by step… I think even I could do this!
I love this table runner. So cute!
xoxo, Paige
OMG this is the cutest!!!! I love the bright apples and I bet the whole thing smells amazing!
This looks so easy to do and so festive! It would look great on the kitchen table during the holidays or even on a mantle!