This Christmas, we hope you're finding magic in the everyday moments. If you're looking for Christmas centerpiece ideas for a festive brunch, dinner and everything in between, we're here to help. Keep reading for all of the key things to consider before getting crafty, then relax and cherish the Christmas decorations and traditional meal with your family.

Before You Lay Your Centrepiece:

Gather Necessities

The first thing to consider before styling your Christmas centrepiece ideas is what necessities you'll need. We like to break the necessities down into three categories: basics, decor and natural items. For the basics, consider the dishes, silverware, glassware and linens you'll need for your Christmas tablescape. For linens, don't forget to think about the napkins, runner or tablecloth you may need. The decor can range from candles and candlesticks to vases, serveware and eye-catching holiday decor. The natural items depend on what look you're going for. Consider incorporating fresh flowers, branches, garlands or pinecones.

Plan It Out Properly

What kind of event are you hosting? It's easiest to create a festive centrepiece when you have a good idea of who will be at your table. How many guests will be there? What do you plan on serving? Your Christmas centrepiece should be fairly space-sensitive and shouldn't obstruct anyone's view of another guest. You also want to save room for dinnerware and serveware on your Christmas table. If your holiday centrepiece is on the larger side, consider serving food buffet-style on a sideboard, credenza or kitchen worktop. For many, gathering may look very different this year. Please be sure to confirm with an official resource, such as the CDC, for the most updated recommendations for gathering in your area.

Clean & Polish

Before diving into styling your Christmas centrepiece ideas, make sure that all of your decor and serveware is in good shape. There's nothing more annoying than going to post your table on your Instagram story only to notice wrinkles on the placemats. Steam or iron any placemats, table runners and tablecloths you plan to use. Polish silverware and glassware. Check serveware and plates – especially the rarely used holiday pieces – for any chips or cracks. Make sure you have enough of everything for each of your guests, from appetizer plates to coffee mugs.

How to Style a Festive Tablescape

Start With the Centerpiece

Before you set out even one plate or glass on the table, start in the middle with the Xmas centrepiece. You'll want to place the largest items first and then go in and tuck greens, florals or candles next. For a festive centrepiece, we love including holiday decorations that give a nod to wintertime nature like garlands, winter florals and citrus. If you have an extra garland you aren't using along the staircase, run it down the table instead.

Try the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds may have you thinking of photography, but it's an easy way to style the best centrepiece ideas. Try decorating with three types of flowers or greenery, consider using three colours or use three large candlesticks to make a statement. Vary the heights and textures of the items that you use to keep your Christmas centrepiece multi-layered and visually interesting.

Keep It Clean

If you want to add ornaments, bells or pinecones to your centrepiece, keep it tidy. Fill an apothecary jar with holiday decor, try a tiered cake stand or place a decorative tray on the table. These little organisational hacks are extra useful, because you can easily remove the pieces to make room for more dishes.

Add Serveware & Dinnerware

Once your Xmas centrepiece is perfected, go back in and add the serveware and dinnerware you'll need for the meal. If you can set out the serveware ahead of time (even though it's empty) you'll be able to easily ensure that you have enough room for all of the food. Set out place settings for each guest. We like to lay the placemat or charger first, followed by the plates, napkins and then silverware. Tuck the napkins under the plate or place them in a ring next to the dish. Set out glassware around plates ahead of time or line glasses up near the drink-serving station. For a festive final touch, add name cards to identify each guest's seat.

Festive Centrepiece Ideas

Looking for a few more inspiring Christmas centrepiece ideas? Keep reading below for a few of our expert-rated DIY centrepiece ideas.

Beat Winter Blues

It wouldn't be Christmas without reds, greens and tartan. However, sometimes we need a break from the traditional Christmas table decorations. If you have heirloom pieces you want to work into your Christmas centrepiece, add a few pieces that are more modern and eclectic. We love the warm-hued vases, mason jars, glassware and dried floral pieces in this centrepiece. To achieve this look, pick a simple palette of neutral colours and then work in a variety of textures. This centerpiece just feels warm and welcoming, even though it's far from a traditional centrepiece.

Bask in a Winter Wonderland

If cosy snow days are your favourite part of winter, recreate the feeling of a fresh snow with a winter-wonderland-themed DIY Christmas centrepiece. If you already own crisp all-white plates, table runners and linens, simply add in touches of gold and silver decor. We love these gold hurricane candles and sparkling silver candlesticks. Add a touch of the outdoors with festive pinecones or bottle-brush trees. Keep it organised on a cake stand and then move it to a countertop when you need more space for serving food.

Take Inspiration From Your Christmas Tree

Rather than confining the pine, greenery and ornaments to just the tree, use them as inspiration for your Xmas centrepiece ideas. We're obsessed with this pine, pinecone and ornament garland that runs down the length of this dining table. You can even add poinsettias for an extra pop of colour. Pick out a handful of ornaments in a similar colour palette and nestle them into the garland to perfect your Christmas table centrepiece. Add shiny metallic bells into the mix to reflect overhead lighting. For an extra-special touch, place an ornament at each place setting for a lasting memory.

Tip: For even more festive ideas and inspiration, check out:

• A Merry Christmas Cocktail Guide
• Fill Your Kitchen With These Christmas Baking Essentials
• DIY Christmas Table Decorations to Keep You Merry and Bright