Here are the DIY details for the “Table Tree” centerpiece from the Grateful Mod Tablescape. This tree was inspired by one of the illustrations from the Grateful Mod Printables, and I’m pretty excited about how it turned out! I had originally planned to paint styrofoam balls to use for the tree tops, but with all the Christmas decor that’s out right now, using ball ornaments sounded way easier (and it was)!

Although there are multiple steps to this arrangement, there’s really only one step that’s anything other than “easy” – and that’s working with the wooden dowels. You’ll need to cut the dowels down to size and drill holes into the large dowel. It REALLY helps to enlist a partner to hold the dowel steady while you cut & drill (or vice versa). I know the idea of drilling at all can be a little daunting, but it honestly only took about 10 minutes – so once you get past that step you’re golden! Full DIY details below…

MOD TABLE TREE CENTERPIECE

• {matches the Grateful Mod Tablescape}

You’ll Need:

• 1 large wooden dowel (available at craft stores)
• 1 small wooden dowel (cut into 3 pieces)
• ball ornaments in 2 different sizes
• decorative paper circles
• hot glue
• vase + vase filler
• styrofoam
• embellishments to decorate the vase (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the large dowel down to desired height, then drill 3 small holes into it that are large enough to fit the smaller dowel pieces (the “branches”). Drill the holes an angle so that the smaller dowels will reach upwards like branches. Tip: It’s helpful to mark the spots you want to drill with a pencil first.
2. Insert the small dowels into the drilled holes. If the fit doesn’t feel tight enough, use a dab of hot glue to help secure it.
3. For the base, fill a vase/container with floral foam or styrofoam. Stick in extra small pieces of foam if necessary to ensure a snug fit. No one will see the foam so it doesn’t need to look pretty! Insert your wooden tree into the styrofoam to stand it up, then cover the styrofoam with a vase filler like the mini orange styrofoam balls (used here), or orange sand, vase gems, etc.

4. Use hot glue to combine 3 ball ornaments together into bunches of 3, with the top “hook” parts of the ornaments facing inward towards each other. (I used 3 bunches of 3 ornaments on this tree.)
5. Place the ornament bunches onto the tree branches, using the branches themselves and hot glue to secure them into place. I was able to slide the dowels into nooks in the bunched ornaments for the 2 side branches, and then keep them facing the way I wanted with the help of a little hot glue.

6. Use hot glue to add a few more individual ornaments around the tree until you’re happy with how it looks.
7. Punch paper circles from decorative paper with a 2″ craft punch. If the paper you’re using is single-sided, glue 2 circles together to make sure there’s a pattern on both sides. Add a few of the paper circles to the tree, placing them strategically to cover up places where the tops of the ornaments are showing or any other big gaps that need covering. (Do this on both sides of the tree.)

8. Decorate the vase with decorative paper and embellishments. I used 2 of the free Grateful Mod paper patterns + the party embellishments here.

You’re DONE – Display and enjoy your cute table tree! =)

As I mentioned earlier, this would make a great centerpiece for Christmas too – or even beyond! I’m thinking of other fun materials for the spring/summer “tree tops” already…like

• colorful twig balls
• bellani pod balls
• ginger balls, etc!