Summer sports like baseball, soccer, swimming, lacrosse and softball lend themselves to clever tablescapes and centerpieces. Use these ideas for your own team party!
Summer sports include baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer and swimming. If you're having a sports-themed gathering, and need ideas for clever centerpieces, look no further. Sports themed centerpieces and tablescapes are outlined below, based upon sport.
Baseball or Softball Themed Tablescapes
Cover the table in green fabric to simulate the outfield. If desired, create a baseball diamond by adhering white electrical tape to the fabric, near the center of the table.
Scatter baseball cards on the table --- some face up, and some face down.
Place a clear or colored glass bowl, filled with new or used baseballs/softballs at the center of the table
Lay two smaller baseball bats across the table, with the barrels at opposite ends of the table.
Use existing equipment (as clean as possible) for your tablescapes. This could include baseball caps, catcher's mask, mitts, balls and even smaller sized cleats.
Use candy and treats commonly associated with baseball on your table. This could include Big League Chew, Cracker Jack, peanuts in the shell, and popcorn. If you really want to hit a sentimental note, include "Oh Henry!", and "Reggie" chocolate bars. The treats may be presented in bowls, scattered on the table, or packaged individually at each placesetting --- whatever works best with your layout.
Lacrosse Themed Tablescapes
Cover the table with a solid colored tablecloth in a neutral color (ideally black or another dark color).
Spread jerseys across the table, at an angle from the axis of the table.
Lay two lacrosse sticks across the jerseys, with the baskets at opposite ends of the table.
Scatter five or more lacrosse balls at intervals, in and around the sticks.
Soccer Themed Tablescapes
Cover the table with a solid green tablecloth
Spread multiple soccer jerseys (different teams and different colors) over the tablecloth
Coil clean soccer socks into "rosettes" and scatter them along the center of the table.
Scatter yellow cards and red cards across the table
Swimming Themed Tablescapes
Cover the table in solid fabric that is aqua colored.
Use swim goggles and bathing caps to decorate the center of the table.
Drape medals decoratively along the midline of the table.
For some extra kitsch, scatter pool toys or rubber ducks/fishes on the table.
Scatter Swedish Fish in the center of the table, or fill up clear glass bowls with them
Feel free to pick and choose the decorating ideas that you look for your own tablescape. Put your own personal touch on your sports party!
The copyright of the article Baseball Themed Centerpieces in Entertaining is owned by Janice Benoit. Permission to republish Baseball Themed Centerpieces must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Aug 29, 2006 12:55 AM
Jacqueline Church
:
I usually host a Superbowl party and this year, I'm hosting a kickoff party. Any ideas?
Aug 29, 2006 8:10 PM
Janice Benoit
:
Football parties are great fun! Try creating a tablescape that mimics the gridiron. You can use green felt with yard markers, or be over the top and actually use astroturf for the table covering! Uprights can be easily created with wooden dowels that are painted white.
You can get all sorts of team memorabilia at your local discount stores.
You can also visit Play It Again Sports (or your local sports resale store), and purchase inexpensive equipment to use as decor --- junior sized footballs, tees, tiny cleats, mouthguards and helmets can all be incorporated into tablescapes or buffet design.
I also have had a fantastic time hosting New Year's Day Bowl Parties. I host an all day long open house, and we alternate the games throughout the day. A punchbowl on the top of the TV is filled with the "Game Theme." For instance, the Sugar Bowl is filled with sugar; the Cotton Bowl is filled with cotton balls, etc.
