5 Festive Floral Arrangements to Recreate For Your Next Holiday Gathering

Preparing for a holiday feast? Add a second helping of joy to your table this year with fresh twists on classic flower arrangements! We’ve tapped the pros, including floral designer Gabriele DeFrances and Carly Cylinder, owner of Flour LA, Inc. and author of The Flower Chef ($20.83, Amazon), share tips for creating beautiful bouquets — and on a budget, no less! 

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Cornucopia Bouquet 

“Here, a textural mix of blooms, berries, and foliage blends together for a vibrant bouquet reminiscent of a colorful fall cornucopia,” says DeFrances. “And the woven basket offers rustic harvest flair.” 

To recreate: Slip a water-filled vase into an 8-inch tall basket. Snip 24 fall flowers (like asters and chrysanthemums) down to 12 inches, crisscross their stems in the vase, and tuck in leaves and berries or rose hip snippets.

Friedrich Strauss/Living Media

Floating Floral Pond

“A mini floral pond is the perfect cheery choice for dressing up any smaller space, from an entry table to a coffee table — it’s compact, yet has a major wow factor,” says Cylinder. 

To recreate: Add a layer of river rocks to the bottom of a low glass bowl and fill it nearly to the top with water. Snip seven dahlia stems in a variety of fall hues down to 2 inches, then float the flower heads on the water’s surface.

Friedrich Strauss/Living Media

Sweet Stacked Display

This tall, whimsical tower of flowers boasts multiple layers of eye-catching interest, and leaving an inch or two of space between each bloom showcases their full beauty. 

To recreate: Pour water on each plate of a tiered server. Snip the stems of 10 dahlias or chrysanthemums in gold, pink, and red hues down to 2 inches. Display blooms on each plate, alternating colors and spacing evenly and tucking rose hips or berry snippets between them. To finish, wind a long vine around the display, weaving it between the flowers, and set on a buffet or dessert table.

Friedrich Strauss/Living Media

Rosy Twinkler

A pretty bowl filled with floating candles and roses adds instant ambience. 

To recreate: Fill a pedestal bowl with water. Snip 12 yellow roses and three red dahlias or mums to 2 inches; set them afloat. Add berries and floating tea lights.

Friedrich Strauss/Living Media

Glowing Lantern Halo 

“Bright orange Chinese lanterns nicely accompany warm, flickering candles,” notes DeFrances. “It’s a cozy centerpiece that’s sure to collect compliments!” 

To recreate: Thread Chinese lanterns onto a piece of floral wire that’s long enough to cover the rim of a cake plate and use small snips of wire to attach rose hips and greenery. Twist the wire ends together to form a halo before setting on the cake plate. Pop battery-run tea lights into cupcake liners and add them to the plate.

This story originally appeared in our print magazine. 

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