One of the easiest and best ways to increase the appeal of a great dinner party is to have table decorations that are creative, interesting and unique. Here are some simple and easy ways to add a special touch to a dinner table by using table settings and centerpieces that are coordinated to the cuisine, occasion or the guests being invited.
Co-ordinating Table Décor with Cuisine
It is quite easy to match table linen and decorations to the cuisine. Use a brightly colored table cloth matched with contrasting napkins for a family lunch of soup, grilled chicken and dinner rolls. Create an edible centerpiece out of a fresh, tossed green salad in a glass bowl. The pale colors of the soup and the deep brown of the chicken will contrast beautifully with the table linen and the colors of the salad.
Co-ordinating Table Decorations to Occasion
Table linen can easily be matched to the occasion that a dinner or lunch is celebrating. A delicate lace table cloth with matching napkins can be used to celebrate an anniversary dinner while a red and white checked table cloth can be used to host the family barbecue. Christmas table linen can easily be used for Christmas dinners while Halloween and Easter themed table linen sets can be created by pairing table cloths with prints of ghosts, pumpkins or Easter bunnies with matching napkins.
Co-ordinating Table Settings with the Guest List
Another simple yet great ways of decorating the table is to personalize place settings according to the guests invited. Guests invited for a formal dinner will be appreciate personalized place settings with their names written decoratively on dainty place cards. Family members will enjoy looking at placemats that are actually a laminated collage of family photographs while a dinner table for foodie friends can have a decorative edible centerpiece.
Holiday Centerpieces and Flower Arrangements
Holidays and festivals are a great time to use table centerpieces and flower arrangements to create a coordinated and themed look. For instance, a Thanksgiving table can be used to display a basket or platter of fruits and vegetables, arranged artfully or flowers arranged in bowls that are filled with water and green apples or limes. A Christmas table can look festive with red and green candles, white table linen and red flatware and pine cones scattered with tinsel.
Table Decoration Tips
- Keep centerpieces and table settings for everyday occasions simple and easy-to-do. It will be more fun and enjoyable.
- The centerpiece should not be too big or tall since then it would obstruct the view of people sitting across each other.
- For meals with children, keep table decorations child-friendly. So, avoid candles that can be knocked over or vases that can be smashed. Instead, opt for baskets with fruits or dried flower arrangements.
- Avoid too many colors and textures. Let there be a dominant color scheme and center the settings and decorations around that scheme.
Table setting and decorating adds to the overall look of a dinner table. Whether it is a formal sit-down dinner for business associates or a casual get-together of family and friends, a well-laid and tastefully decorated dinner table will surely win compliments. Coordinate table decorations with occasion, guest lists or the cuisine and sit back to enjoy the praise.
Related Articles:
- Setting a Perfect Formal Dinner Table – A detailed article on how to arrange a formal dinner table using the right linen, plates, silverware and accessories.
- How to be a Great Host – An article that describes how to be a gracious and thoughtful host.
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