To save on centerpieces, think inside your budget and beyond flowers.

Glass ball arrangements: Group them in a silver, brass or crystal bowl. Coordinate colors to your room or tree dÈcor. Tuck holly sprigs, magnolia leaves or greens between ornaments.

Use produce: Think red and green - avocados, artichokes, red apples, pomegranates. Stack in a pyramid and tuck ribbon through the arrangement. Broccoli or asparagus bunches can be tied upright with plaid ribbon. Hollow out apples and pop in white candles tied with ribbon. Make clove stars or snowflakes on oranges or stencil white stars on big, red apples in a bowl.

Tabletop trees: These small trees, about $7 at craft stores, can be trimmed with peppermint candies or miniature lights.

Candle collection: Group six or seven candy cane stripe pillar candles of different heights on a mirror or silver tray and trim with ribbon or artificial greens.

Pinecone tree: Buy a craft store Styrofoam tree shape and hot-glue onto it miniature pinecones by their bases porcupine-style. Fill in gaps with miniature ornaments or small nuts and make a raffia garland.

Joy Kraft