When decorating your dinner table for Christmas keep in mind that centrepieces, which can consist of a bunch of different size candles or a flower arrangement, can add that very special touch.

With Martha Stewart becoming more popular, more people are finding themselves making their own holiday decorations including the piece that puts their table in sequence.

Owner/manager of The Flower Shop Mary Page Johnston said she gets all sorts of requests from people wanting to decorate their tables and mantelpieces for the holidays.

"We do lots of things with Christmas mixed greens which is a very popular thing along with the boxwood, fir, pine, holly, all the nice aromatic greens,'' Mrs. Johnston said.

She added: "The most popular shape people want for the table is the oval shape because most people have long tables. Most people come around and choose what they want some have candles and hurricane chimneys, pine cones and of course something red. Carnations are the most popular flower.

"People also request the boxwood miniature Christmas trees they are generally decorated with balls, and bows. They are a bit high but some people do use them as centrepieces. They are very pretty and they last well.'' Mrs. Johnston also said that centrepieces do not always have to be red a green, "some people like peach and gold, pink and silver depending on the decoration in their homes.'' At Hang It All, those of you who are feeling especially artsy can find a large amount of materials needed to make your own centrepiece and Christmas decorations.

Owner manger Andrea De Campos Guerra said she has lots of wreath form frames which are nice to do a round display with different size candles in the middle.

"We have centrepieces for candles and we have decorative Christmas picks which come in an array of colours. We also have decorative candle rings,'' Mrs. De Campos Guerra said.

She added: "We also have a wide array of Christmas ribbon in lots of colour ways. There are also berry branches, Christmas potpourri, and artificial Christmas pine branches for filling in. We carry everything to do Christmas decorations, garlands etc.

"We can help people put their ideas together.'' Mrs. De Campos Guerra also said: "Since Martha Stewart has come to the fore a lot of people have gotten back to home decorating.'' She added that the store also carried styrofoam wreaths, cones, and balls for creating that perfect decoration.

"The wire frames are used for oasis' or moss, which you would then fill with soil and put succulents in.

"Our store turns in to Christmas at Christmas time, we are like the decorating headquarters,'' Mrs. De Campos Guerra added.

"A lot of people are unaware of their talent to make things but we help them or make suggestions and they are really excited about the outcome. That is what makes it fun. Christmas is about decorating your home and it is nice when you can make your own things.'' In Martha Stewart's December issue of the magazine Living you can learn how to make beautiful and natural centrepieces for your table that are not very difficult.

Our everyday fruit is shown to be dressed up to make a perfect centrepiece for the table during the holidays.

She states: "Nature's great gift to our sweet tooth, fruit has always been prized, its importance demonstrated by its reverent placement in the centre of the dinner table.

"From cherries the colour of rubies to mangoes the shade of sunsets, fruit has most often been arranged with casual but caring hands, though at certain times and in certain cultures with great theatrics.'' Martha goes on to say that centrepieces emerged as great decorating statements as a result of changing table-setting habits.

In her magazine Martha describes how to make some of these fruit centrepieces for those of you who dare to try.

To make a fresh pear wreath she suggests using different kinds of pears, each a different size, and three heights of candles, "so that the visual rhythm is never static.

"Start by spray-painting a polystyrene wreath form dark green. Using glue, cover it with overlapping Camellia leaves, (or any other type of dark green leaf.

"Put toothpicks into the bases of two different sizes of green pears, such as Bartlett and Anjou, and align them, alternating a large and a small, around the wreath. The tuck in clusters of Bradford ornamental pears, or, if they're not available, use green berries.

"Weave three lengths of chartreuse ribbon between pears, evenly spaced around wreath. The sinuousness of the ribbon contrast with the strict form of the pears.'' Martha also says putting different shades of red fruit together in a glass bowl can also make for a lovely decoration in the centre of your dining room table.

"Pears, apples, pomegranates, crab apples, and litchi are varying shades of crimson.

"Silver vintage Christmas ornaments sparkle against matte red, as does rippling sheer silver ribbon.'' She says: "A single apple, tied with the same ribbon and dressed up with a silver leaf can mark each place setting.'' In the Holidays At Home magazine another great decoration idea is bottle citrus slices.

"Lemon, lime, and orange slices floating in tinted water add a touch of colour to your table or counter,'' according the article.

The author suggests using five bottles of different heights and slightly varied heights, especially at the neck.