I’m often scurrying before guests arrive & don’t always have the opportunity to run to the store to pick up flowers & groceries. More often than not, I’m working with what I have, which is why I love constructing things like a crostini bar for last minute entertaining.
With a couple sets of guests in town this week, I managed to make a quick trip to the store & bought a few versatile things, including a bag of apples, a bag of pears & a $2.99 bunch of eucalyptus. I LOVE gorgeous flower arrangements, but to get anything substantial, it’s often expensive, & doesn’t last long.
This centerpiece cost less than $10. A floral centerpiece of it’s size would cost $50-100 to create. An edible centerpiece makes a statement when your guests arrive, but also allows guests to help themselves for breakfast or a snack! Even better, you can create one in less than 5 minutes. Yes, a colorful fall centerpiece is 5 minutes.
Supplies:
- scissors
- tray
- eucalyptus
- 2-3 varieties of fruit
Details:
Position your tray in the center of your table or on your buffet. We’re working with rolling fruit.
Snip pieces eucalyptus or greenery of your choice & add to all 4 corners, draping off of your platter. Add to the middle of the platter as well, extending out.
Start with your first fruit. Casually disperse a few pieces. Don’t overthink it – it really is this easy.
Integrate a few pieces of your second fruit.
Start building, giving it a good mix of colors & laying them haphazardly in different directions, mostly showing stems. Fruit does a great job of telling you where to add another piece & where one just doesn’t work. Yes, fruit talks {by rolling off}. Take a look from all angles & see if you need to add or take any pieces away.
Intersperse a few additional snips of greenery in nooks, crannies & wide open spaces by tucking them in.
Done. Yes, you did it!
No flowers were harmed in the making of this centerpiece.
Here’s the easy to pin strip to save this tutorial for later!
If you like this post, chances are you’ll like how to arrange flowers & fall table settings as well as my 5 minute floral table runner & 5 minute Thanksgiving centerpiece & table setting!
Julie
I absolutely love your website, and especially your holiday centerpieces. I am a less is more kind of gal, and I can see you are too. All of your centerpieces are just lovely. I have a question for you. Where do you get the eucalyptus from?
Thank you, Ileana! Sometimes you’ll have to ask for it at the floral center at the grocery store, but Trader Joe’s carries it year round.
Julie!! I love your website!! I find the information to be so practical and informative which really makes a difference for the working woman who wears many hats!!! Perfect centerpiece idea. I’m sure my family and friends will appreciate my efforts!! Excited for sure.
Thank you, April! I love anything that’s almost effortless and beautiful. Unfortunately highly styled centerpieces don’t fit into my lifestyle either. I am glad you enjoyed it and hope you find more practical ideas you can integrate into your home and entertaining. Have a beautiful weekend!