Your Table Settings Reflect The Theme of the Party and Your Personality

Setting the stage on your holiday table is a perfect way of showing your guests how happy you are to have them in your home.

As you plan your table decor, remember it can be fancy and elegant, or casual and fun.

The major contributor to an eye-catching table is color. Table coverings such as placemats, tablecloths, and runners in solid colors or prints can achieve your desired effect. Fortunately, no-iron tablecloths and runners come in a potpourri of colors, designs, and prints. On a practical note, dark colors or printed cloths are more functional because wine and food stains won’t show if any mishaps occur.

• Design your table’s color palette according to the season or holiday. In the Autumn, use brown and rust colors, in the Spring and Summer try using dark and light shades of blue. And, of course, for specific holidays, decorate the table with the traditional colors, such as red and green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, green for St. Patrick’s Day, and red, white, and blue for July 4th.

• Centerpieces are key for a well-dressed setting. To complement the centerpiece, add a few colorful trinkets or small items to accessorize the table that continue the theme. In the summer, you may have a seafood theme with a bowl of seashells in water with a floating gardenia. Sprinkle a few seashells around the table to add to the theme. In the Spring, if you use assorted colorful flowers as a centerpiece, you might put a single flower in a tiny vase at each guest’s place setting that would also add color to the table. In Autumn, use a variety of different sized pumpkins and gourds as a centerpiece. Then, scatter colorful, silk Autumn leaves around the table. Add more color with napkin rings, and small items that match the theme.

• Napkins, dishes, and glassware play an important supporting role when dressing the table. Tying fabric napkins with colorful ribbon adds more pizazz to the table. Dishes and glassware do not have to match. It’s best to use white or plain-colored dishes so the food will be the standout. Use glasses that are fun to drink from. A favorite “standing ovation” goblet has a large bowl and long stem.

• For evening parties, always use candles – tapers and votives. Lighting is very important, and almost everyone looks better in candlelight. A few other tips to create a spectacular table:

• The centerpiece is the focal point of the table and should remain on the table and in the lime ight for the entire party.

• Centerpieces must be reason-able in size and below eye level, so everyone at the table can see and speak to each other.

• Use serving pieces that are attractive. And, use your imagination. A rarely used champagne or ice bucket can serve as a space-saving vessel holding flatware tied with a ribbon on the buffet table.

Maureen Molé is a lecturer, product spokesperson, and the author of The Book of Entertaining at Home. Email her at MaureenMole@gmail.com.