I don't know about you, but, by the time Christmas finally rolls around, I’m usually craving something calmer on my table. Not another glitter-dusted decoration, not a lavish candelabra that blocks conversation, and definitely not something that looks amazing for one day and tired the next.
No, what I want – especially during the holidays – is something simple, natural, and easy. And that’s why, every year, I always come back to the same DIY centerpiece: forced paperwhite bulbs arranged in a shallow bowl. Maybe with a few extra festive goodies thrown in for good measure, if I'm feeling really fancy.
It’s unfussy, affordable, and best of all, it evolves as the season goes on. What could be better, eh?
Why I Love Paperwhites So Much
Paperwhites look beautiful from the moment you set them out. Even before they bloom, in fact, you can enjoy the pale bulbs, papery skins, and the fresh green shoots –and they look just as lush alongside a holiday meal as they do on a sideboard or kitchen counter.
If I had more lead time, I’d start paperwhites earlier for guaranteed Christmas Day blooms. But over the years, I’ve stopped trying to make everything peak on one specific day. Starting them in mid-to-late December usually means they burst into flower between Christmas and New Year,.
Honestly? That's when I need them most; after the rush of hosting, gift-giving, and late nights, I need a hard reset, and those starry white blooms feel exactly that. I like to think of them as a reminder that something is still growing, even as the year winds down to its close.
How To Do It
Paperwhites are ideal for indoor forcing because they don’t require a cold period or weeks in the fridge: they just need warmth, light, and a little patience.
To set them up, I use a shallow bowl or low ceramic dish. I fill the container half full of clean pebbles, gravel, or marbles, and place the bulbs atop this material so that they sit close together for a fuller look. Water goes in just to the base of the bulbs (but never enough to submerge them, as this can cause rot. Not very festive).
I keep the bowl in a bright spot, turning it every few days so the stems grow straight. Within a week or two, shoots appear, and soon after that, buds begin to form. Then comes the fun bit: I’ll sometimes tuck moss around the bulbs, add dried citrus slices, or a few evergreen sprigs. Sometimes, though, I just leave it exactly as it is.
DIY Bulb Centerpiece Essentials:
The look is understated but intentional; think “winter table,” rather than overtly festive.
And because it’s living, it keeps changing. My little girls, every curious and watchful, start to notice and ask questions. It becomes part of the conversation, rather than something you clear away to make room for the food. Dare I say it, it becomes as much a part of all the holiday traditions as the food itself.
I guess the biggest shift for me has been letting go of the idea that everything has to be perfect for Christmas Day. This centerpiece doesn’t rush; it unfolds slowly, and in doing so, it carries the season forward instead of ending it (you can even plant them outside if you're in USDA zone 10).
By the time January rolls around and most decorations have been packed away, those paperwhites are still blooming, quietly brightening the table and reminding me why I chose them in the first place.
