Adding just the right festive flair to your table while entertaining will make dining more fun and pleasurable. You’re sure to receive rave reviews from your guests when you try any of the following decorating tips.
Shades of red, ivory, gold, and green are perfect color combinations when decorating for social gatherings at Christmastime. When table space is at a premium, decorating the chandelier frees the table while still enhancing the festive occasion. Bows, ribbons, sprigs of holly or mistletoe, or a flower or evergreen “kissing ball" can be hung on a chandelier over the table.
Fill small round vases, such as the kind for forcing bulbs to bloom, with fresh flowers and greenery. Tie them securely to the “arms" of the chandelier, either to replace or enhance the table’s centerpiece – visually continuing the floral theme upward from the table. Use long lengths of untied ribbon gracefully looped from one vase to the other. This helps make dining more elegant and makes the dining area look larger than it really is.
Unless the table is large and the decorative arrangement can be placed at one end of the table, keep the centerpiece low enough so that viewing other guests and food items is not hindered. The rule of thumb is to save larger, higher centerpieces for buffet-style settings.
In lieu of a centerpiece, festive pomanders can be made and placed at each setting. For instance, you can hot-glue star anise around the center of a pear. Wrap wire around a organdy multi-looped light green bow, and push the ends of the wire into the top of the pear.
When decorating, consider the color and pattern of plates, glassware, chair fabrics, and table cloth don’t compete with the setting, compliment it. For instance, a rustic wooden half-bushel barrel filled with fruits, berries, nuts, and evergreen sprigs, and a large red bow will enhance a country décor.
Fill bowls with seasonal fruits, berries, and with nuts to add color and texture to the tabletop. Red or ivory slightly opened roses with sprigs of spruce are lovely as well as aromatic.
When you want to highlight the centerpiece’s container, such as a decorative tureen or copper kettle, keep decorating materials tight around the container’s top edge, and build up from there.
When it comes to adding height to an arrangement, fruit “kabobs" will do the trick! Bamboo skewers work perfect use small fruit, such as small lemons, limes, or kumquats. For heavier fruit such as tangerines and apples, use florist picks. Eucalyptus branches will further enhance the arrangement.
If wine is to be served, decorate the top of the cork with a small sprig of holly or mistletoe. The bottom part of the stem of wine glasses or goblets can also be decorated with holly, mistletoe, or a delicate bow.
By paying special attention to table decorations when entertaining family and friends, your gatherings will be more festive and fun for all!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
Adding just the right festive flair to your table while entertaining will make dining more fun and pleasurable. You’re sure to receive rave reviews from your guests when you try any of the following decorating tips. 
