ILLUMINATING your table for your next dinner party doesn't have to be a chore.
There are so many ideas out in the marketplace for creatively integrating the use of simple tea lights for everything from traditional to modern place settings.
Most of these ideas take only minutes to prepare, if you have all the necessary items on hand.
This is a really cute and easy idea using a simple bag of coffee beans. You can use whatever style of container you wish but be sure to use at least three to five of them down the centre of your table.
Materials: 3-5 small bowls Tea lights Coffee beans
When choosing your bowls for this idea, pick ones that are fairly shallow and low to the table so as to see the coffee beans from all angles. Small, clear, glass bowls may be a good choice if you do not have white ones.
Simply fill your bowls with coffee beans approximately three-quarters full. Place your single tea light inside the centre of the coffee beans.
Another quick and simple idea for tea lights is to remove the centre of a gerbera daisy or sunflower and place the tea light inside. To do this take a small paring knife and carefully hollow out a space in the middle part of the flower head. Place the flower in a small dish in the centre of your table.
If you have a bag of dried beans or split peas sitting in your pantry here's a great idea for a table setting. Pull out a few of your small, clear vases that are approximately eight centimetres tall. Fill them three-quarters of the way full with the split peas and place a large tea light in the center. Scatter the vases down the middle of the table. If you are planning a buffet, use one of the split pea vases for placing your cutlery inside. The split peas hold the cutlery beautifully.
Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home décor, entertaining and floral design. Contact Barb at barb@ lunter.ca or follow her on her blog at lunter.ca.
