Creative Ways To Set Your Table
You don't need to buy expensive flowers or break out your fancy china to set a festive table. With the holidays around the corner, many will be entertaining more than usual in the next couple months, so Real Simple's November issue offers easy, inexpensive and fun table setting ideas.
By adding color and getting creative with what you use, you can have a lot of fun setting a table. And, best of all, many of these things can be found around the house or at your local supermarket. Kris Connell from Real Simple magazine visits The Early Show to explain three color themes — blue, green and red — using chalkboards, candles and an oversized vase.
Blue Table
Chalkboards
Real Simple suggests using reusable chalkboards as placemats to make dinner more about fun and games. The chalkboards can double as place cards by writing the guests names on them. You can play as many games as you want on the chalkboards, which makes it fun for children, and those who are young at heart. They are also reusable. When you are finished, you can simply clean the boards with a felt eraser so they will be ready for the next party.
Chalk-a-doodle placemats
Price: $15 each with chalk and erasers
Availability: www.readerscatalog.com
Votive candles with blue paper
The more the merrier applies to candles, not only guests. Instead of lighting one candle, cluster a bunch of votive candles together for an elegant effect. Real Simple suggests placing them in a bunch, or run them down the length of the table. Or you can even place them on a mantle or shelves throughout a room to brighten it up. For a cool blue glow, Connell suggests using pinking shears to cut strips of paper big enough to wrap around the outside of glass votives. Then attach the paper using double sided tapes. Real simple recommends using shades of the same color for a sophisticated look. You can create whatever color you want.
Large footed vase with Hershey's kisses
To spice up a buffet or drinks table, Real Simple recommends using a large footed vase or glass bowl instead of a standard candy dish. Adding shiny foil wrapped treats will make the table shine even more. This suggestion is great because you can do it at the last minute. All you need is a vase and a bag of candy. You can use whatever candy you want, but it looks better if you use one type of candy in the vase.
Green Table
Bobbing for apples
Instead of fancy floral arrangements, look no further than your kitchen or the local supermarket to create a beautiful center piece. Pick a single color palette for a sophisticated, low-key look. Connell recommends filling large clear glass vases with water to different heights and then placing granny smith apples in them. Using real fruit beats decorating with fake fruit any day. This requires very few ingredients, and very little artistic talent is needed. You just need to grab 2 ingredients from the kitchen.
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- Lime place settings
Connell suggests using limes as placeholders. To accomplish this, write out each guest's name on one end of a sticky file label. Next, center the label at the dull end of a small wooden skewer, or a tooth pick, and wrap it bringing the labels together. Place each skewer in the lime and put it on a plate.
Big rubber bands
There is never enough room at the buffet table. Real Simple recommends using oversized rubber bands to wrap a complete table setting, plate, utensils, and napkin. This eliminates fuss and adds a splash of unexpected color.
Russel & Hazel rubber bands
Price: $8 for three
Availability: www.russelandhazel.com
Red Table
Book a table
Placing a bright colored notebook on the table is a great way to add a splash of color. A name plate can go on the cover of the notebook and to play out the theme you can place a pen with the silverware. The notebook also doubles as a great take-home party favor.
Notebooks
Price: $5
Availability: www.carrotandstickpress.com
Fruit stands
Instead of putting fruit in bowls, Connell suggest flipping containers upside down and arrange the fruit on top. You can create this seasonal display with a trip to the produce aisle at your local grocery store. Create a visual impact with fruit of one color. Using the same shades make a stronger visual impact. And clear containers will match every color scheme.
Candy striper
Who needs fancy flowers when you can fill a bucket with dry sand and arrange a beautiful bouquet of lollipops? The sand will keep the lollipops in line and when the party is over you can eat the bouquet.