• Seasonal fruits make interesting centerpieces.fruit basket image by Liz Van Steenburgh from Fotolia.com
  
  Centerpieces can be used for a variety of special events, from a lavish wedding to a simple family dinner; they dress up the table and add an air of festivity to any event. When making your own centerpieces, keep to a simple theme to avoid getting overwhelmed with details. The most elegant centerpieces can be easy to assemble and display.
  
  

Candles

• For a glowing, twinkling centerpiece that creates a relaxing or romantic ambiance, look to candles. Get a simple and sophisticated look by laying a long mirror tile down the center of the table and place candles at intervals down the length of the tile. You might space them out or cluster them next to each other for a dramatic look. On round tables, find clear glass vases in varying sizes and shapes and place white candles inside of them. The light will reflect off of the different vases, creating an elegant, dramatic look.
  
  

Flowers

• While flower centerpieces from a florist can be very expensive, you can save a good deal of money by making your own. Using a collection of long-stem single-flower vases, place one flower in each vase and place several vases at the center of the table for a unique look. Use different heights of vases to create levels, and be sure that the stems are clean and free of leaves; the green showing through the glass adds to the centerpiece. Gerber daisies can work very well for this type of centerpiece.
  
  

Natural materials

• For a unique and fun centerpiece that reflects the season of your event, be creative with natural materials. For a Thanksgiving centerpiece or a fall event, you might consider using colored squash, apples, and other fall fruits and vegetables, perhaps mixed with fall leaves. At Christmas, use pine cones, evergreen garland, holly berries, or even apples and avocados to incorporate a festive theme. For a fun spring or summer event, look for brightly-colored limes, lemons, and oranges. Place items in bowls, clear vases, on platters, or even arranged directly on the table.
  
  

Crafts

• If you have a talent for crafting, you can put your skills to use in making centerpieces. For a winter event, decorate Christmas ball ornaments with glitter and craft paint to say the date and name of the party; you can give away the ornaments at the end of the night as favors. If you're interested in flowers but do not have the budget for them, consider making flowers out of paper or fabric. For a personal touch, make unique picture frames to use as centerpieces, displaying pictures of the party honoree, and use smaller frames as place cards and favors.