$15 Italian Themed Centerpiece with Lemons and Grocery Store Flowers

Create a $15 Italian themed centerpiece using lemons, grocery store flowers, and simple decor—perfect for birthdays and special occasions.

We recently hosted an Italian-themed dinner party for our mom’s birthday and put together a beautiful centerpiece inspired by her love of lemons. She’s always loved decorating with lemons—way before it was trendy—so this was the perfect way to celebrate her on her special day.

And this Italian themed centerpiece isn’t just great for birthdays—it’s a fun and affordable idea for baby showers, dinner parties, or just about all special occasions where you want to bring a little charm and color to the table. Italian centerpieces are never a bad idea. 

This post is all about how we created a italian themed centerpiece!

Looking for more Italian themed party ideas?

Check out the full list of decor details and creative ideas here to help you pull off a fresh and fun celebration! From DIY balloon garlands and themed tableware to lemon-inspired centerpieces and custom digital invitations, this lemon-themed party setup is packed with easy, affordable touches that are perfect for birthdays, showers, and summer gatherings. Whether you’re planning your first Italian-themed party or just love a fresh and cheerful theme, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make it memorable.

Italian Themed Table Setup

For this celebration, we leaned into a Capri-inspired and rustic-chic look, blending simple table decorations with fresh touches. Think lemons, a few floral arrangements, and subtle nods to Italy. We kept things casual but elevated with a cohesive color palette of yellow and blue—a beautiful match for the theme and a nod to our mom’s favorite decor style. You can take this look and step it up with matching place setting for your dinner guests or simplify it by using simpler florals. 

The Table Runner: Match the Theme or Add Texture

We used a table runner that came with a Capri-themed party kit from Amazon (check it out here). It was a great way to tie in our yellow-and-blue color scheme, but you don’t need it to get the same effect. Folded table cloths, a set of table linens, or even a lightweight throw blanket from Home Goods or a thrift store works just as well.

We’ve reused our pinstriped farmhouse-style dining table cover more than once—just give it a quick press with an iron, and no one will ever know it’s not a real runner.

Start with an Anchor Piece

Our anchor decor piece was a wooden tray we already had on the table. It’s one we redecorate seasonally, adding different bowl fillers or DIY projects depending on the holiday or theme. For this Italian themed centerpiece, we filled the tray with blue rag balls, fresh lemons, and a grocery store flower arrangement.

If you’re looking for filler inspiration, check out our full list of tray and bowl filler ideas here. Want to make your own rag balls? Here’s the DIY tutorial.

This style is super versatile and can be reused all year. After the party, we used the leftover lemons in water, tea, and even made a healthy lemonade using Stevia drops. (Our toddler loved squeezing the lemons with our favorite lemon squeezer—such a fun little project to do together!)

Grocery Store Flowers = Budget-Friendly Beauty

We grabbed a few premade flower arrangements from the grocery store, which saved us time while still looking great. If you’re going for an even more affordable route, pick up stems like baby’s breath, daisies, or hydrangeas and arrange them in mason jars or empty wine bottles. 

Our favorite place for fresh flowers is Trader Joe’s, but Kroger, Walmart, and even Dollar Tree often carry ready-to-go bouquets. Just trim the stems down and you’ve got an instant centerpiece for little time and low cost.

Final Touches

Pair this Italian dinner party theme with a few wine bottles, simple place cards to further elevate your italian table setting, and a delicious spread of Italian food. Add wine glasses, maybe a splash of olive oil and balsamic on the table, and you’re all set. You can’t go wrong with this italian themed table and some good italian food! 

Whether you’re hosting for the first time or planning your next month’s supper club, this is one of the best ways to create a stylish yet low-maintenance Italian dinner party table right in your own home.

Italian Dinner Party Menu Ideas

A beautiful Italian-themed centerpiece sets the tone, but let’s not forget the food! Creating a simple, delicious menu is a great way to tie everything together and give your dinner guests the full experience.

Start with light appetizers like bruschetta, marinated olives, or a salad plate featuring a classic caprese salad. For the main course, you can’t go wrong with baked ziti, creamy fettuccine alfredo, or a homemade lasagna. Serve everything family-style to create that warm, welcoming Italian dinner party feel.

Don’t forget the bread! Set out a small bowl of olive oil with herbs for dipping—such a simple step, but it adds a touch of authenticity. Finish off the meal with a sweet treat like tiramisu, cannoli, or lemon sorbet to complement the citrus theme.

And of course, a few wine bottles on the table (or even sparkling lemonade for a non-alcoholic option) can help round out your place setting and make the evening feel extra special. With good food, good wine, and a beautiful centerpiece, your Italian themed party is sure to be one to remember!

Share your DIY Italian Themed Centerpiece

As always, thank you for following along with me in my creative journey. Be sure to tag me and use #meagannicholedotcom when sharing your DIY Italian Themed Centerpiece! Thanks for stopping by MeaganNichole.com

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