Easy and Affordable Summer Centerpieces

You Don’t Have to Break the Bank to Create the Perfect Table Accent

Jun 30, 2009 Heather Lin

A simple centerpiece can add the finishing touch on an already perfectly set table. With a few easy ideas, guests will be wondering why they didn't think of it first.

Instead of creating a grand bouquet of flowers which your guests will have to talk around, why not use a single stem to make a statement. A brightly coloured peony bloom floating in a low clear dish of water can create a festive mood, while replacing the coloured bloom for a white one can add a touch of class to any meal.

Complement fancy food with a single red rose standing tall in a slender vase. One stem of four or five small Asiatic lily blooms in white, pink, orange, or red would also do the trick. Guests won’t be distracted by the floral arrangement bursting out of the middle of the table, and will be able to concentrate on the delicious meal set before them.

Big Isn’t Always Better

Big blooms are an easy way to impress, but if you’re having a rustic meal, try complementing the food with some wild flowers instead. Finger sandwiches, salads, and no-fuss fried chicken will not be out of place with a small bunch of daisies, buttercups and forget-me-nots in small vases. These arrangements are perfect for buffet meals, where a few vases can be placed around the table.

Fresh Fruit a Colourful Solution

It was a bone of contention in the movie The Breakup, but Jennifer Aniston had it right when she asked for enough lemons to fill a bowl. A big clear bowl of fresh fruit is the ideal complement for brunches and light late lunches in the hot weather. Fill a bowl with bright yellow lemons for some zing, or try some bright shiny green apples for a fresh flash of colour.

Using fruit as a centerpiece will also help ward off any nasty allergies your guests may suffer from, and you can reuse the fruits of your labour later as a snack or in a recipe.

When in Doubt, Sweeten the Center

Candy is an affordable way to add some fun and colour to your table. A big bowl of jellybeans, Gobstoppers or other small, loose candy works wonderfully, since you can choose the colours to highlight your tablecloth, napkins, and food. Since it is the summer, you may want to stay away from chocolate-based candy, such as M&Ms or Smarties, as they may succumb to the heat before your guests have finished eating. After the main meal, the candy can then be used as a topper for an ice cream dessert, or can be enjoyed as dessert itself.

The copyright of the article Easy and Affordable Summer Centerpieces in Entertaining is owned by Heather Lin. Permission to republish Easy and Affordable Summer Centerpieces in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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