How To Decorate Your Holiday Table
by Danielle Stewart
A unique and festive holiday tablescape
can easily be created with some planning, simple materials and your
imagination. Just like dressing up for special occasions, little touches
can make a big impact on how your table looks to your guests.
One design trick to add height and visual
interest to your tablescape is to use a pretty cake stand as a focal
point, or several of varying heights if you have a large table. Cake
stands are now readily available in many different styles, shapes and
price points. A cake stand will make whatever is placed on them seem
more important -- and this need not be a cake! Hostesses now use cake
stands to hold all types of foods -- hors d'oeurves, vegetables,
cookies, pies or tarts. Besides presenting edibles, cake stands can also
serve as a base for other centerpiece designs. Put out a selection of
candles of the same color but differing shapes and heights, or fill a
tiered stand with matching votive candles instead of cookies to create
an eye-catching centerpiece.
Another favorite way to relieve the
monotony of a flat tablescape is to cover your table with one
tablecloth. Then place plastic or cardboard boxes (like ones for photo
storage, or whatever you have handy) in a few different spots at varying
heights, one or two boxes high. Drape another tablecloth over these
boxes, and you have a much more interesting space to display your
delectables on. You may either use a matching tablecloth or one in a
contrasting shade and mold it around the boxes. Be sure the boxes are
sturdy enough for the serving dishes or arrangements you place on top.
Other table decorating ideas are to fill
clear crystal bowls or vases with one of these: candy canes, peppermint
candies, a dreidel collection or glass ornaments tied to a ribbon
garland. Glass creamers and footed bowls can also be used as containers
for crab apples, mini-artichokes, other fresh fruits and nuts. Or put
together some pinecones, cinnamon sticks and greenery in a pretty
decorative bowl.
Trays or mirrors also work very well as a
base for holiday table arrangements; the mirrors reflect whatever is on
them, adding even more depth. Place red, green or white pillar candles
in a bed of nuts and tiny red or green ornaments. Shiny beads in silver,
gold, red and green are also perfect touches to weave into these
arrangements. Some hostesses prefer a blue, silver, gold and/or white
color scheme for Chanukah celebrations.
There are a wide variety of greens,
either live or artificial, to design with: pine, holly, white pine,
boxwood, cedar, berries and noble fir. Consider using rosemary topiaries
as well.
A simple yet dramatic table statement can
be made by placing large, glass holiday ball ornaments on top of crystal
candlesticks of varying heights. Wired ribbon tied on to and running
between the candlestick bases is another touch for this elegant
arrangement. Be sure to use earthquake or museum wax to secure the balls
to the candlesticks to prevent them from being knocked off.
Using favorite collections are either
great accents or focal points for a centerpiece. Holiday villages or
various styles, colors and sizes of dreidels or menorahs work well for
this creative idea.
Some other general centerpiece hints are:
Consider have several smaller
arrangements on your table rather than one large one.
If it is for the dining room table, the
arrangement should be either low enough for guests to talk over, or high
enough to talk under.
If your centerpiece is going to sit in
the middle of a table, it must look attractive from every viewing angle.
Water any fresh flowers or plants used in
your centerpiece daily.
Centerpieces with fresh flowers and
plants will last longer if kept away from direct sunlight and heater
vents that may blow hot air.
If you use candles in the centerpieces do
not leave them unattended and be sure the candles are not near any
flammable materials in the arrangement, such as ribbons.
Let your imagination soar as you capture
the magic of the holiday season!
About the Author
Danielle Stewart is the author of
"Theme Party Secrets Revealed!" an ebook of step-by-step
instructions, tips and resources for planning and throwing killer theme
parties! Some topics are holidays, birthdays, graduations, and
anniversaries. See http://www.ThemePartySecrets.com/Secrets2bRevealed.html |
