Setting your table for a dinner party doesn’t have to be a chore if you plan ahead.
There are many decorative items on sale in stores at this time of year and you may be able to purchase a few for a real bargain. Two of my favourite secret shopping spots during the holidays are the dollar stores and hardware retail shops. These hidden little gems carry most of what you would find in department stores and you will pay far less. I’ve found items in these outlets that I have seen in high-end specialty stores.
Miniature stockings
This year I found these cute little miniature stockings at Home Depot (as well as at a few dollar stores) and they were amazingly inexpensive.
Dress up your holiday table this year with these stockings used as cutlery holders at each recipient’s place setting. You may be able to find them in red, green and cream as well.
If you have a pretty charger to place beneath the dinner plates it makes a nice background for the whole place setting.
Snowballs
This is the easiest idea ever and works beautifully for modern place settings. A simple Styrofoam ball acts as a faux snowball on each white plate. Look for these Styrofoam balls at craft stores such as Michaels.
Cut a small section off the bottom of each snowball so it can sit upright on each plate. Make a small cut on the top of the ball and insert each guest’s name card. Very simple and very chic.
Frosted pinecones
I love the look of white at Christmas. White on white is so elegant and simple. The addition of a small, glittery white pinecone on each place setting is simple and stunning.
Small pinecones are in nurseries and floral shops at the moment as well as craft stores. Purchase some silver glitter glue or alternatively a bottle of white craft glue and a small container of silver glitter.
Using a thin paintbrush, add a bit of glue on the tips of each pinecone and sprinkle with the silver glitter. Let dry.
Place a white napkin in the middle of each dinner plate and lay the pinecone on top. Add a nametag in the form of a white ribbon placed underneath the pinecone.
Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. Contact Barb at [email protected] or follow her on her blog at lunter.ca.
