enjoy • little things • good company • less is more • good times
Setting a table for guests to enjoy need not be a chore. Frequently, it’s the little things that reward you by providing real impact. I have often planned an elaborate table setting only to realise when I start to put it together that less truly is more.
Here are several simple ideas that will create a stir with your guests, young and old, but will take you just a few minutes to prepare.
From simple embellishments to fancy flourishes, the most interesting table décor doesn’t need to be expensive; there are many budget-friendly options available. By using these ideas you’ll get your setting just right and on-budget every time:
Recycle, upcycle and be clever. Often it’s those odd items you’ve kept but never thought you’d use that come in handy. Here, a delicate Chinese fan becomes a unique place card holder.
If buying serviette rings was never high on your priority list, it’s time to use some of the simple, quick and inexpensive ideas in this book. By delving into your treasure trove of fabric oddments and scrapbooking embellishments, there is no end to what you can do.
Acrylic paint, spray paint, glass jars and tins are all items you can use to create a one-off vase or container for flowers. A colour printer and a quick Internet search will help you create all manner of interesting bits and bobs (such as botanical prints placed into glass vases).
Storage space is at a premium in most homes, but it is a good idea to designate a place for those items you can use to create wonderful table settings. Keep this space neat and tidy so you can see at a glance what you’ve got and what you may need to get. The idea is to be able to put a setting together quickly and with ease. If it is a mission to find the items you’ve collected or you have to get a box down from the top shelf in the garage, you’re not going to do it very often.
It’s simple to do, it’s unusual and it will get people talking. An inexpensive set of metal cutlery can be turned into something extraordinary with a coat or two of spray paint. And, what’s more, you can match your colour scheme perfectly.
Just about any kind of jelly sweet can be strung together to create colourful serviette rings that guests can take home with them to enjoy later. To thread the jelly beans, use a sterilised darning needle and some thin ‘hat elastic’ or fishing nylon. Wear disposable plastic or latex gloves to keep things clean and hygienic.
Many of the settings we create favour tiny, individual arrangements over larger ones in the centre of the table. There are several reasons for this:
For budget-friendly décor, try to see ordinary things in a different way. For example, turn a recycled jam jar into an unusual table decoration by filling it with water and adding some lemon slices and a floating candle. Using sparkling water will create some bubbles, too.
For unconventional vases, group together an assortment of clean, empty bottles with the labels removed. A bonus is that if you use slim-necked bottles, like beer, wine or chutney bottles, you won’t need many flowers. The shapes and colours will become the star attraction and the flowers will be secondary. But choose your bottles and flowers wisely as you don’t want the arrangement to look unbalanced.
It’s become quite common for adults to walk away from functions and parties with goodie bags. For a dinner party at home, a modest, meaningful gift is a special way to thank your friends for taking time to join you and make your evening memorable. A gift that forms part of your décor will leave a lasting impression.
Primary colours, like this bright yellow placemat and matching place card, make a bold statement that will set the tone for a fun evening.
These little lanterns will provide a warm glow of light to your table setting.
To make the lanterns, choose scrapbooking paper that matches your colour scheme. Make a cone, glue the edges together and add embellishments if you want to. Put a tea light inside a large wine glass and place the cone over the glass. Leave a wide enough opening at the top of the cone to let the candle’s heat escape.
Pebble mats make an unusual focal point for a table with an organic or rustic theme, especially when combined with architectural or sculptural shapes and natural textures.
Scout your local scrapbooking store for beautiful paper to match different colour themes or décor schemes. Buy six sheets of each design and have them laminated so that you can use them as place mats again and again.
A simple way to take your table setting up a notch is to use linen serviettes, and make serviette rings from everyday objects. Think out of the box; here, we’ve used hair accessories to add a feminine touch.
The festive season inevitably means extra entertaining, often just drinks, or a get-together with friends for an informal meal. This is the one time of the year when you can keep your table set, even if it’s not going to be used everyday, to add some festive cheer to your home.
Have little things on hand that can be used to spruce up your holiday table at a moment’s notice. Wrap red ribbon around plain candles and group them with Christmas baubles and other knick-knacks for a pretty centrepiece.
Personalised photo vases are a great idea for a family reunion, as you’ll be able to display pictures that are meaningful to everyone. They also work well for any milestone birthday, as everyone will want to see where they’ve featured in the guest of honour’s life.
If you are celebrating outdoors, you can string some twine in a tree and use pegs to hang a few special photos on it.
To make a photo vase, choose a plain glass vase that is wide enough to hold a smaller vase or glass jar. Fill the small vase with water and place it inside the larger one. Arrange your pictures between the two vases, then place flowers in the smaller vase.
To make pretty place mats, download beautiful botanical prints off the Internet and enlarge them before printing them out. Alternatively, create a collage by placing an assortment of prints on the table, overlapping them to create a tablecloth.
Use floral prints as wrapping paper for your party favour.
It has long been customary for a bride and groom to send their guests home with a small token or wedding favour as thanks for helping to make their nuptials a special occasion. But it’s becoming common for the hostess to place a small gift at each setting to convey her appreciation of the friendship. These gifts should be small and inexpensive, even hand-made; remember, it’s not about how much you spend, it’s about the thought you put into it.
Use your imagination to come up with interesting, but thoughtful gifts. Here are some clever ideas:
