Create an Inviting Holiday Table
If all one did was decorate a tree and set a beautiful table, holiday cheer would still be plentiful when sharing a meal with family and friends.
For a traditional table, select a pattern that has a holiday theme such as holly, poinsettias, and wreaths. Place the dinner plate on a charger that complements the color, but allows the dinner pattern to pop. For example, use a red plate on a gold charger to create a dramatic, elegant effect. Depending upon your preference, use a good quality table cloth free of blemishes for a formal look or use placemats for less formal presentation. Choose a color that serves as an inviting backdrop to the china, centerpiece, and other decorations.
A simple centerpiece idea is a wooded basket filled with pinecones, colored balls that compliment your china, and holly leaves for texture. A crystal bowl filled with greenery from the woods, stiff ribbon intertwined, and large size colored balls is another festive idea. Flank the sides of the basket or bowl with candlesticks crafted from silver, gold, and brass with white candles to add a dose of illuminating beauty. Always make sure the centerpiece does not impede conversation by being too high.
A great way to find table decorating ideas is to look through magazines promoting the holidays. Find your favorite setting and see how you can recreate the look using items you already own. Improvise as needed.
