Manzanita Centerpiece Ideas

Looking for a fun and unique centerpiece for your baby shower? Try a manzanita centerpiece.

Manzanita branches are perfect for centerpieces because the branches are thick and sturdy, making them ideal to hang things from. You can hang acylic crystal beads, attach flowers to the branches, or even artificial butterflies or birds.

This baby shower centerpiece was inspired by my favorite party blog Hostess with the Mostess.

What you'll need:

• Manzanita branch {I used 2 branches to make the centerpiece fuller}

• Container of your choice

• Floral foam blocks or any vase filler

• scrapbook paper and ribbon {optional}.

• decorations for the tree like flowers or beads

Manzanita branches can be found at many craft stores, but if you have a hard time finding them in your area, I recomend Blooms & Branches. I ordered mine from there, and was very happy with the branches and the price. If you want to order one that is already in a pot or painted gold or metalic, try Shopwildthings.com. They also carry a huge selection of acrylic beads and beaded curtains, which are perfect for hanging from the branches.

How to Make a Manzanita Centerpiece

Fill you vase or container with the blocks of floral foam. Make sure they are packed in nice and tight.

You could also use any other filler, like stones or sand. I like the foam blocks because the hold the branches tightly in place. I also wanted to add flowers to the top.

Then, stick your branches into the foam. I wedged mine in between two pieces of foam.

If it doesn't feel tight, stuff more pieces of the floral blocks until you have a snug fit.

If you are going to add flowers around the bottom of the tree, make sure to soak the top pieces of the floral foam in water so your flowers will last longer.

If you used a colored container, you can skip the next step.

Since I used a glass container, I used scrapbook paper around the outside to cover up the foam and tie it in with the rest of the decorations.

Measure the height of the vase and cut the paper the same height. Wrap it around and secure with hot glue {glue the paper to the paper so you don't ruin the vase}. Then I added another strip of scrapbook paper around the top and ribbon around the bottom. We also used thin ribbon to cover up the seam.

Now all you need to do is add some decorations.

Photo by: Jennifer Jones Photography

This centerpiece is draped with small strands of acrylic beads. I cut pieces off of a beaded curtain because, I was also using the strands for other decorations. See the shower this centerpiece was used for here.

We also attached a few flowers with floral wire and added flowers sticking out of the top of the container. We used carnations because they are nice and fluffy and also inexpensive.

If you want something that lasts longer than fresh flowers, use tissue paper flowers instead.

More Manzanita Centerpiece Ideas

Butterflies or birds would also make beautiful decorations for your centerpiece. Attach them to your tree using floral wire or glue dots.

You can also spray paint your branches to match your decor.

Baby Shower Wishing Tree

Your manzanita centerpiece can also be used a wishing tree. A wishing tree is a place for the guests to leave warm wishes or advice for the guest of honor. To make a wishing tree, you will need to make some wishing tags. You can buy some premade at craft stores or use a Clever Lever Tag Punch to make your own out of card stock. Then, use a hole puncher to make a hole in the top of the tag and tie a piece of ribbon through the hole (making a loop). Have each guest fill out a tag and hang it from the tree centerpiece.

See more baby shower centerpiece ideas.