How to Make Floral Centerpieces for High School Graduation Tables

Create graduation-themed floral centerpieces to spruce up the tables at a high school graduation. This style of centerpiece showcases a flower arrangement coming out of the top of a paper graduation cap. Each centerpiece is arranged in a basic, massed or mounded style, which is easy to execute. Any variety and color of flower can be used as the main bloom, so that the school colors and class flower can be showcased during the celebration.

Instructions

1

Fill a bucket halfway full of water. Place a block of floral foam into the bucket of water to soak for 15 minutes. Place a square glass vase on a clean work surface.

2

Remove the foam from the water. Cut the floral foam into a square that will fit snugly inside the vase using a knife. Place the foam square in the bottom of the vase. Fill the vase half full of water. Dry the outside of the vase with a cloth.

3

Measure the height of the vase with a ruler. Lay an 18-by-24-inch piece of construction paper on your work surface. Mark the height measurement on each end of the 18-inch sides. Draw a line between the two marks. Cut along the line with a pair of scissors to reduce the paper to the height of the vase.

4

Wrap the black construction paper around the outside of the vase. Glue the paper ends together around the vase with craft glue.

5

Cut a piece of black card stock into a square that is 3 to 4 inches larger than the dimensions of the vase. Place a cup or bowl in the center of the square and trace around it. Cut along the traced circle to create a hole in the center of the square. Place the square on top of the vase, positioning the hole over the vase's opening. Tape or glue the paper square in place.

6

Cut 1 to 2 inches off the stems of 10 to 12 large flowers while holding them under the water in the bucket. Choose flowers such as roses or lilies or use the graduating class flower if there is one. Arrange three of the flowers in a cluster in the center of the vase. Push the stems into the floral foam to secure them. Arrange the remaining seven to nine flowers evenly around the center flowers, pushing their stems into the floral foam.

7

Clip the ends of 10 to 12 foliage stems. Choose foliage such as leather leaf fern, maiden hair fern or mock orange. Insert the stems into the floral foam between and around the flower stems. Fill in all gaps between the flowers to create a nice background for the blooms.

8

Clip the end of four to six sprays of filler flowers. Select filler flowers such as statice, Queen Anne's lace, baby's breath or freesia. Insert the stems randomly throughout the arrangement to fill in any remaining gaps. Turn the arrangement as you add the stems to look for holes and gaps.

9

Glue the tassel onto the top of the card stock hat brim. Place a drop of hot glue onto the top of the tassel's cord with a hot glue gun. Gently press the tassel cord to the side of the cardstock and hold it in place until the glue dries.