
It’s hard to believe that something that grows right in your front yard can be so expensive, but we saw your eyes widen at the price tag on that floral centerpiece. Whether it’s a wedding, an anniversary, a fun summer bash or your gram’s 90th birthday, floral centerpieces can take a big bite out of your pocket. Thankfully, some highly crafty and creative people have come up with beautiful and affordable centerpieces that don’t involve flowers. Check out these 21 gorgeous non-floral arrangements, but don’t tell your florist!
1. Pom Poms: Thinking those paper party pom poms are out of style? Think again. String those babies together in one shape or lay them out in piles along a table for tons of color. (via Mokkasin)
2. Fruit: Colorful fruit can give you lots of color options for your centerpiece. Genius. (via Events Cherished)
3. Glitter Candles: Candles make a lovely glitter-and-glow centerpiece on their own, but who says you can’t add some actual glitter to them? As we always say, the more sparkle the better. (via A Practical Wedding)
4. Winter Cotton: This pick is a great in-between for nature and affordability. Not to mention the clean white look it provides. (via Ruffled)
5. Paper Flowers: Just because you can’t afford the real thing doesn’t mean you have to forgo flowers altogether. Make these paper beauties for your wow-worthy centerpiece. (via Scissors)
6. Pinwheels: Paper pinwheels make a simple go-to for an outdoor summer party. Let your guests take one home! (via Laurel Lane)
7. Succulents: Low planters filled with succulents are a great way to add some green to your centerpiece without breaking the bank. (via Willard and May)
8. Wooden Cubes: This DIY centerpiece is perfect for your Pinterest-worthy party. You can even choose your own color scheme. (via Tell Love and Chocolate)
9. Arrows: Homemade arrows are a centerpiece even the kids can help make! Don’t forget some arrow typography on those invites to match. (via Hostess with the Mostess)
10. Antlers: Looking for some rustic outdoor table decor? Antlers add a natural mountainous vibe that makes everyone feel woodsy. (via Oh Lovely Day)
11. String Shapes: Shapes like these are a bright, budget-friendly way to fill the middle of your table. Add some twinkle lights to be super fancy. (via The Knot)
12. Goldfish: Take your guests under the sea with this swimming centerpiece. They make great party game prizes, too. (via DIY Network)
13. Geometric Shapes: Replace bright flowers with bright geometric shapes that you can buy or DIY. We might have to throw a party just to use this awesome idea. (via Ruffled)
14. Painted Pumpkins: Are the colors for your fall shindig not really fall colors? That’s okay! Paint your pumpkins to match your theme. (via A Practical Wedding)
15. Monochromatic: Make a hodgepodge centerpiece look super coordinated with a little spray paint. That means anything, of any color, could be thrown into this centerpiece and still work. (via Philly Mag)
16. Tasseled Balloons: Balloons certainly help add to the festive feel of a party. Add some tassels and get ready to shimmy! (via Jordan McBride)
17. Apple Crate: You don’t have to be Snow White to love apples. Take advantage of the orchards and put a stack in the middle of your table. (via Polka Dot Bride)
18. Mossy Ideas: Succulents aren’t the only affordable green. Make this the centerpiece for a perfectly green tea party. (via Etsy)
19. Cotton Candy: How can you resist such a simple and yummy centerpiece? Your kids will thank you. (via Martha Stewart Weddings)
20. Heart Branches: This arrangement certainly spreads the love. We adore the pop of color that the pitcher brings to the table with it. (via Alisa Burke)
21. Feathers: Just some feathers and a wooden block? Sounds simple enough! Dip dye the ends of the feathers for a colorful, sparkly style. (via A Practical Wedding)
Do you have an epic non-floral centerpiece? We’d love to hear about it! Share below!
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
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Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
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Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
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Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
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When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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