Every holiday season you invest hours planning and preparing the menu for each celebration you host. When it’s a sit-down soiree, the delightful cuisine you produce deserves a presentation worthy of your efforts. A beautifully set table can elevate your dinner from great to perfect.
“Table-setting is an art form anyone can learn to execute beautifully,” said Mary Bernardo, director of product development at Princess House, a leading provider of exclusive cookware, food storage and home and entertainment products. “Simple touches like elegant holiday plates, colorful linens and an eye-catching centerpiece ensure a holiday table looks as inviting as the food smells.”
Layers look lovely
Tablecloths, placemats, table runners and chargers not only help protect your table from spills and scrapes, but they also create a lovely backdrop for dishes, glasses, stemware and, of course, the food. Layering these items adds depth and interest to the tabletop. Consider starting off with a simple white or red tablecloth, and then add either placemats in seasonal patterns or a festive runner. If chargers take up too much room, you can layer plates to create the same effect.
Keep dishware seasonal and simple
“It’s been said, simplicity is the soul of elegance, and that’s certainly true when you’re setting a holiday dinner table,” Bernardo said.
Choose dishes with a basic white or cream background accented with a traditional holiday motif. Glassware should be simple, as well as flatware. If your everyday collection is in good condition, feel free to use it. If you don’t have enough, supplement with basic flatware that’s free of embellishment or heavy designs.
Add seasonal accents
Even the simplest table setting can feel festive when you add holiday-specific touches, like napkin rings in jewel green or red, a centerpiece filled with evergreen or holly and twinkling candles. For a festive, practical centerpiece, consider using your favorite holiday serving bowl. Then, add holiday decor items, like mini Christmas packages, your favorite decorations or a pillar candle in a holiday hue. Top with a few sprigs of evergreen, holly or fresh flowers and you have an easy, elegant, do-it-yourself centerpiece.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.