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How to make a Christmas table centrepiece

By Bunnings magazine /

Outdoor table setting with a light tablecloth, a long greenery centrepiece holding white taper candles, and bowls of grapes and other fruit. Sliding glass door with pale curtains behind; beige chairs, one tied with a ribbon and foliage, and a twine‑wrapped bottle on the table

Overview

Turn budget-friendly pine into candle holders you can use all year round with this Christmas table centrepiece. Simply drill holes for flameless tapers or tealights and finish with an easy ‘whitewash’ paint technique in a hue of your choice. The simple yet chic piece can be incorporated into table settings of all styles and palettes, while the use of flameless candles is a safety feature that’s ideal for a busy Christmas table.

We cut a 1.2m length of timber in half to make two candle holders – one for tapers and one for tealights. But you can use any scrap of interior timber as long as it is thick enough to accommodate your choice of candles. Adapt the length of the timber and the distance between holes to suit your table.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Mark the timber

    Working on a drop sheet, clamp timber to a workbench and cut into two 600mm lengths using a circular saw. Starting 10mm from one end of a timber length, mark eight equally spaced and centred points.
    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: You can have your timber cut in store.
    Hands holding a ruler and pencil, marking measurements on a length of timber on a drop sheet
  2. 2

    Drill the holes

    Wrap painter’s tape around the 22mm spade bit 20-30mm from the tip to use as a depth gauge. Clamp the timber to the workbench and drill holes at each marked point. Wipe away timber shavings. 
    A hand holding a drill with blue painter’s tape wrapped around the spade bit on a drop sheet
  3. 3

    Sand the timber edges

    Sand the cut edge of the timber and the drilled holes with 120-grit abrasive paper and wipe away the sanding dust. Working in the direction of the grain, sand all the faces of the candle holder with 180-grit paper; wipe away dust.
    A hand holding a timber block and another hand using sandpaper to sand the side of the block, on a drop sheet.]
  4. 4

    Paint the timber white

    To make a ‘whitewash’ with leftover paint, pour paint and water into a paint pot in a 2:1 ratio and mix thoroughly with a paint stirrer. Following the grain, apply a coat of the diluted paint to the top of the candle holder using a paintbrush.

    A hand wearing a black glove applies white paint using a paintbrush to a piece of timber with holes drilled into it with a drop sheet underneath.
  5. 5

    Wipe away the excess paint

    Use a lint-free cloth to wipe away the excess paint, then leave to dry. Repeat painting, wiping and drying for the sides and ends of the candle holder. Apply a second coat to get more coverage, if desired.

    A hand wearing a black glove wipes a white painted timber block with a green cloth, on a drop sheet
  6. 6

    Add the taper candles

    Insert the tapers into the holder, using a little Easy Tack so they sit securely in the holes. You can use fewer candles; stagger the arrangement and cover the empty holes with greenery or decorations. Repeat with remaining timber to make another taper holder or a tealight holder (see Tip, below).

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: To make a holder for tealight candles, follow the same steps for the taper holder but use a Forstner bit (this project used a 41mm one) to drill the holes. The tealight candles will sit securely in the holes without Easy Tack.
    A hand inserts white flameless taper candles into drilled holes in a white wooden block, candle packaging is on the table.
  7. 7

    Keep in mind...

    • When using power tools, always protect ears and eyes with ear muffs and safety glasses (gloves and mask are also recommended); when sanding and painting, always wear the recommended safety gear (such as gloves, mask, and eye and ear protection). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and work in a well-ventilated area. 
    • Keep all paint and chemicals out of reach of children and pets. 
    • Paint colours may vary on application. 
  8. 8

    Want more project ideas for the festive season?

    Check out our Christmas craft guide. 

     

    Photo credit: Adrian Lander, Tamara Maynes. 

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.