![How to Create a Nutcracker Themed Christmas Dinner How to Create a Nutcracker Themed Christmas Dinner](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-308983987-9-Hero.jpg)
![Leslie Saeta contributorImage](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/leslie-saeta-headshot.jpg)
A Note From The Home Depot
There’s nothing like the holiday season, and it’s even better when you can enjoy it outside. Leslie Saeta of My 100 Year Old Home shared how she transformed her patio into a holiday paradise even a nutcracker would love, with some help from The Home Depot!
I am so excited to share with you my Christmas Nutcracker Dinner that I created on our back porch for The Home Depot Holiday Style Challenge. We live in Southern California and entertaining outside is something we love to do all year long. With our large fireplace and heaters in the ceiling of the porch, we dine outdoors — even in December!
![Dining room featuring fireplace with wreath. Styled with holiday decor and a Christmas tree in the background Dining room featuring fireplace with wreath. Styled with holiday decor and a Christmas tree in the background](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-308983987-2.jpg)
I created a Nutcracker themed dining room with the items I found online on The Home Depot's website. I love the gorgeous tree, the beautiful table items, and the Nutcracker accents.
![Table styled with hanging votive candles and ornaments Table styled with hanging votive candles and ornaments](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-3.jpg)
I made a very special wooden centerpiece that holds lots of candles and I can't wait for you to see how I made this. This evening will truly be an amazing dinner for our family.
The Nutcracker Themed Tree
![Christmas tree decorated with ornaments on patio Christmas tree decorated with ornaments on patio](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-308983987-4.jpg)
The Home Depot sent me this amazing Christmas tree. It was so easy to assemble and took me less than half an hour. The tree came in three parts and everything was pre-wired. I love that it comes with a remote control and a timer.
![Christmas tree on patio with boxes of ornaments to the side Christmas tree on patio with boxes of ornaments to the side](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-313034216-5.jpg)
I decorated the tree with three types of ornaments. They are the Home Accents Holiday 80 mm Shatterproof Ornaments, the Northlight 5.25 in. Assorted Classic Nutcracker Ornaments and the 3.25 in. (80 mm) Celadon Green Shatterproof Christmas Ball Ornaments. The tree collar is a Home Accents Holiday 27 in. D Red Metal Christmas Tree Collar.
![Close up shot of tree with ornaments Close up shot of tree with ornaments](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-313034216-6.jpg)
I made my own burlap ribbon because it's really hard to find it in 8" and 11" widths. I bought one roll of burlap fabric and made all of the 8" wide burlap ribbons for the tree and the two 11" wide tie backs for our outdoor curtains. The total cost was $11. (An easy way to cut burlap is to measure the width you need, and pull out one string of the burlap fabric along the width line. By pulling the thread, you will have an obvious line to use as a cut guideline.)
When it is lit, the tree looks absolutely gorgeous. I added this fun, LED Nutcracker as well for additional flair!
![Christmas tree lit in the evening with LED Nutcracker next to it Christmas tree lit in the evening with LED Nutcracker next to it](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-312927043-7.jpg)
Wooden Centerpiece with Hanging Votives
I think the most dramatic element of my Nutcracker themed dining room is the wooden centerpiece I made with the hanging votives.
![Hanging votive centerpiece over styled holiday dining table with fireplace in background Hanging votive centerpiece over styled holiday dining table with fireplace in background](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-8.jpg)
This centerpiece can be used in the dining room, on a patio table, and just about anywhere. You can adjust the height of the votives in the jars and also hang anything from the rope. The bottom trough of the wooden centerpiece can hold appetizers or in this case, dried eucalyptus with Christmas ornaments.
How to Make a Wooden Centerpiece with Hanging Votives
![Table styled with holiday decor, hanging votive candles and a Christmas tree in the background Table styled with holiday decor, hanging votive candles and a Christmas tree in the background](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-308983987-9.jpg)
![Bare dining table with wooden centerpiece frame Bare dining table with wooden centerpiece frame](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-10.jpg)
Cut the boards in these sizes:
Sides: Cut two boards - 4" x 72"
Bottom: Cut one board - 72" x 7"
Vertical Pieces: Cut two boards - 48" x 5 1/2"
End pieces: Cut two boards - 7" x 4"
Pieces to support vertical boards: Cut two boards - 3 7/8" x 5 3/4"
I built this wooden centerpiece to specifically fit our outdoor table. You can adjust the size to meet your needs.
![Centerpiece being built with common board Centerpiece being built with common board](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-11.jpg)
Once the boards are cut, attach the sides to the bottom with a nail gun. Nail the end pieces on each side.
![Common board getting measured and traced Common board getting measured and traced](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-12.jpg)
Cut the vertical boards so that they are in the shape of a paddle. I made the cuts 10" from the bottom and cut the paddle width down to 3" across.
![Centerpiece being built with common board Centerpiece being built with common board](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-13.jpg)
Place the vertical boards into the trough and add the pieces that support the vertical boards on each end. You want the vertical boards to fit snugly but still be able to remove the vertical boards for storage. Drill a hole in the top end of each board to thread the rope through.
![Drill going onto common board Drill going onto common board](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-14.jpg)
Lightly sand the edges of your wooden centerpiece and stain the color of your preference. I love the Behr Classic Gray water-based stain.
![Wood stain next to piece of common board Wood stain next to piece of common board](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-311621905-15.jpg)
Look at the difference!
![Stained common board placed next to unstained common board Stained common board placed next to unstained common board](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-16.jpg)
Set up the wooden centerpiece on your table. Add the vertical boards and thread the rope through the holes and tie a knot in each end to secure the rope. I tied jute twine to the top edge of mason jars, filled them with votive candles, and tied them to the rope.
![Centerpiece base on dining table with fireplace in background Centerpiece base on dining table with fireplace in background](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-315106708-17.jpg)
Creating the Nutcracker Themed Table
![Table styled with holiday decor, hanging votive candles and a Christmas tree in the background Table styled with holiday decor, hanging votive candles and a Christmas tree in the background](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-308983987-18.jpg)
For the table, I shopped most of the items on The Home Depot's website online. I selected the green and white ticking placemats and added these glasses. I also found these wine goblets online. Even though they look like exquisite glass, they are made of recycled plastic. How amazing is that? Lastly, I selected the 11.02 in. RYO White Dinner Plates (Set of 6) by Manhattan Comfortto finish the settings. I am so happy with these items and can't wait to use them indoors and out, all year long.
![Tiny Nutcracker on dinner plate Tiny Nutcracker on dinner plate](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge--313318138-19.jpg)
I made nutcracker cut-outs to decorate the top of the plates and placed a wooden nutcracker on top of each. Then I made nutcracker snowflakes and hung them to the ceiling of our porch.
Decorating The Outdoor Fireplace
![Fireplace decorated with stockings and a wreath Fireplace decorated with stockings and a wreath](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-306550045-20.jpg)
I also decorated our outdoor fireplace. On one side I hung stockings, and added three nutcracker ornaments from my personal collection. I also hung this artificial eucalyptus wreath (with wire strung from the trellis on each side).
On the other side of the fireplace, I placed another Nutcracker with LED lights.
![Nutcracker by fireplace Nutcracker by fireplace](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/LeslieSaeta-My100YearOldHome-2020HolidayStyleChallenge-312821875-21.jpg)
This was a magical experience and I cannot wait to host this Nutcracker themed Christmas dinner with our family.