Creative Summer Gift Ideas

Creative Summer Centerpiecestable with a flowering cactus plant or use old
Whether it is for a special wedding shower orwood crates to plant some flowers and plants.
reception, a backyard dinner party, or just anGuests can take these eco-friendly centerpieces
urge to add some new design flourishes aroundhome and replant them.
the house, summer centerpieces can add a newIf you have a green thumb, keep it simple with
focal point or make a beautiful and uniquejust some fresh-cut flowers from your garden
statement for any occasion. This article offersplaced in a crisp white pitcher or old glass mason
some creative suggestions for summerjars. Fill the bottom of a large glass container with
centerpieces to make the season even brightercut lemons and limes, add water, and top with
and certainly more beautiful.flowers for a more rustic look.
Water FeaturesFor a luau, place floral leis on the table or create
Submerged or floating floral centerpieces arecenterpieces with tropical fruit and flowers. You
elegant and eye-catching, especially for somethingmight even try to make a fresh fruit
that is so simple and inexpensive to create. Whatarrangement of cut fruit with cubes of melon,
makes them so beautiful is that when flowers arepineapple, and berries skewered to look like a
submerged in the water, their colors and detailsflower bouquet. Be sure to keep bowls of melted
become magnified to reveal their detail to achocolate nearby for a delicious way to serve
greater degree.dessert and party décor at the same time. An
You simply need a clear glass vase or a deepelegant dinner party might call for one of the
clear glass bowl. Attach the stems to the bottomwater feature suggestions or keep it simply
or sides of the vase with aquarium glue or fishingsophisticated with an orchid plant, lilies, or freesias
weights. You might be able to even usefor each table.
decorative stones or pebbles as "natural" weights.Wedding Wonders
Distilled water works the best as tap water mightSummer is the season for weddings, so there are
lead to bubbles on your flowers. Try to only usebridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and wedding
real flowers as the dye from the silk or syntheticreceptions that could all use a centerpiece. Elegant
flowers may bleed into the water.flower baskets or pots with summer flowers,
Of course, you can also have the flowers floatingsuch as roses, carnations, calla lilies, or daisies, and
on the top of the water alongside candles as wellspecial party favors attached make nice gifts of
as others weighted to create a more balancedthanks for guests. If the wedding is more relaxed
design feature. These types of arrangementsand has a fun feel, try sand pail centerpiece with
work well for all types of summer occasions,seashells, sand, and flowers.
especially those that last into the evening hours.Of course, there are always the beautiful
That way, you can take advantage of thetraditional wedding table centerpieces that match
dramatic look of flowers within the glow of thethe wedding colors and decorations. When the
candles. If you are making these for an eventweather is hot and even humid, think about using
where there will be many centerpieces, thinkcool pastel shades in wedding centerpieces or go
about making them up on-site rather than aheadall white for a vintage feel.
of time as they may be delicate to move. ThesePersonalize It
types of centerpieces make nice gifts to takeThese centerpieces are good ideas to get you
home after an event as they last up to a weekstarted in terms of imagining the possibilities. You
on average, depending on the flower.can even mix up the suggestions, combining fruit
Summer Themesand flowers or adding some other non-floral
From a barbecue block party or backyard luau todecorations to fit your party theme. All of these
an elegant dinner party, use centerpieces on allsuggestions can be personalized with the flower
tables as decorations and as gifts for the guestschoices and themes to fit your individual style,
to take home and enjoy long after the event isdécor, or party theme. Whatever you choose,
over. Tie the floral centerpiece into the theme ofmake it your own as you will be sure to enjoy
the party. For example, if you are doing athe beauty, seasonal flowers and plants, and
western-themed party, then try decorating eachspecial features that summer brings.