5 Centerpieces for Less Than $10

Entertaining on a budget is not impossible! It just takes a little imagination and some crafting ability. The next time you have guests coming over, try out one of these centerpiece ideas. All of them cost less than $10, and many of them have pieces that you can eat or use again later for different decorations. Money you spend on these centerpieces will be well-spent and will make your guests feel special.

Carnation Candy Dish

You will need one large bowl or vase and a narrow, cylindrical vase that can fit inside the larger vase. The first step is to put the small vase inside the larger one. Then fill the space between the two vases with the candy you purchased. Next add enough water to fill the small vase about halfway and then put a carnation in it. You have created a precious and edible centerpiece for very little money.

Mirrored Flowers

Get a round mirror or mirror square at a craft store. Keep your eye out and pick one up at the end of the wedding season for even bigger savings. Then put a small, unembellished vase in the center of the mirror. Fill the bottom quarter of the vase with colored gems, which you can find at discount or craft stores for $1-2. Then add some water and a small bouquet of flowers. Even an inexpensive bouquet will last several days with the rocks and water. The best part about this centerpiece is that it looks larger because of the mirror effect.

Wildflower Bouquet

This centerpiece takes a little work and a bit more dexterity from the frugal crafter. When your family finishes a jug of apple or orange juice, wash the jug out really well. Then you will need to cut a piece of burlap or similar stiff cloth. Sit the jug in the center of the cloth. Pull the cloth up and cut it at the same height at the jug. Then you will use a wide piece of ribbon to tie the burlap to the jug. If you have problems with the ribbon, you can use a rubber band to hold the burlap in place and then tie the ribbon. Put a single long-stemmed flower, such as a sunflower, into the opening of the jug for a nice, casual centerpiece.

Circle of Light

This centerpiece is super-simple to make. You will need to get a large bunch of ivy. You can find ivy cheap at most discount stores. You will put four short tapered candles in small candleholders. The holders shouldn't be seen much, so their appearance doesn't matter. You will take gather the ivy around the candles in the center of the table. Use a hot glue gun to glue a small piece of the ivy coming up about halfway up each of the candles. This Circle of Light centerpiece will shine brilliantly and will look like lights in a forest when it's all glowing.

Night at the Aquarium

When you're having an outdoor event, try this conversation-starting centerpiece. You will need a wide bowl. You can use a goldfish bowl, or you can look for a wide-mouthed bowl in the craft section. Fill the bottom of the bowl with sand, which you can buy by the bag at most craft stores if you don't have sand in your yard to use, and then put a few seashells on top of the sand. Add a starfish or a sand dollar for a little extra pizzazz. Fill the bowl with water and pick up two or three floating candles. Put them in the bowl and light them for a beautiful aquarium effect.