Unique Holiday Centerpieces

My husband and I hosted Thanksgiving for his family for the first time this year.  I loved it!!  One of my favorite parts of the hosting process was setting the dinner table.  Gorgeous pumpkins from a local farm adorned various parts of our house throughout October and November, so I gathered them at the base of a fun outdoor lantern stand.  (The stand might look familiar since I used it for a July fundraiser event.  For that tablescape,  I incorporated fresh daisies, appropriate for the summer season.)

The benefit of this lantern stand is that it is tall enough for the lowest lantern to hang above eye level when guests are seated at the table.  One element we often overlook when setting the table is the ability for our guests to converse freely.  It is important to select a focal point for the table that is low enough to talk over or tall enough to see under.  There is nothing worse than sitting down to enjoy a delicious meal and having to peer through the candelabra or flowers to chat with friends.

Here are a few creative ideas that can inspire you to make your own beautiful centerpiece for your Christmas table.

 A simple red cloth gathered underneath a grouping of silver candlesticks, hand-carved Santas and a vine of glittery berries makes a stunning centerpiece for a large table.

 Clustering pieces that vary in height adds dimension to a centerpiece.  Don't be afraid to turn items on their sides to make things more interesting.

 

For those who prefer something more traditional, gathering a plaid fabric around a beautiful floral arrangement makes any table gorgeous.

Centerpieces

A few weeks ago I was at a fundraiser with my husband and a couple of our friends.  When we sat down for dinner, none of us could see the person sitting across the table from us.  There was a gorgeous (and very large) azalea plopped in the center of the table.  We promptly moved the flower to the floor so we could all converse with ease. 

We want centerpieces to be eye catching and attractive.  It's important for the piece to not be too small, as well, or it will look dinky in comparison to the table or the room itself.  There is a fine line between impressive and intrusive for centerpieces.  If a centerpiece obstructs a view and has to be displaced, it's purpose is not being served.  Here are a few photos of some appropriate focal points for the table that still allow conversation to flow.

Low & Spralling: A great go-to style that ensures your guests can see each other, talk openly and pass food without problems. 

 

 

Clustered: An interesting grouping can create visual interest and varied levels of height that still don't interfere with the view across the table.

Tall & Thin: When the surface area of the table is important, shooting for the sky is a good idea. 

If you have a table where guests will not be seated, than there are no restrictions as to height or width.  Food tables are often a great place to do something very grand and over the top because function is not important.

The next time you host a party, keep these ideas in handy and create a centerpiece that works for you & your guests.

Happy centerpiecing!

Let them eat cake...

...or pie, or steak, or green beans or whatever they want on these fabulous plates!  I am madly in love with all the new melamine dishware that has come out this season.  I got a glimpse into the trend in a back issue of Better Homes & Gardens.  Then I spotted it in abundance at my visit to America's Mart in March.  Once back home, I started seeing it pop up on the shelves of Target, HomeGoods and local boutiques.  If you don't know what melamine is, it is a type of plastic that is stiff and unbreakable.  It has always been great for children to use or to take out on picnics or to tailgate parties.  Until recently, the selection of pattern and color has been limited to solid colors and maybe the occasional stripe or sports team logo.  NOW, the design options are fabulous!  When I first saw some of these plates I thought they were ceramic plates because the colors and patterns were so unique.  Imagine my surprise when I picked one up and discovered it was light-weight and plastic.  

These dishes are something the whole family can eat on without worry that one might get dropped on the floor and shattered.  Some of them are even gorgeous enough to replace the good china when guests come over.  I wouldn't be surprised if brides start registering for these as their everyday dishes because they are too cute to pass up.  See what I mean:

America's Mart display 

 French Bull plate grouping

Monogrammed plate from Janice's Invites

Can't you see Easter lunch being eaten off of these beauties?!?!  Happy table-setting!