This time of year, more than any other, has us busy with parties – giving them and going to them.  In addition to everything else going on, trying to come up with a quick but really pretty table presentation is sometimes more than we can handle.  I’ve got some ideas for you – easy and fast and guaranteed to enhance your party table.

BUFFET TABLE CENTERPIECE

This idea is perfect for a buffet table because it can go at one end or be centered with the food placed around it.  Use a collection of clear glass cylinders, vases or apothecary jars of varying sizes filled with colors to match your theme.

• Whimsical & light hearted?  Use bags of those small white marshmallows which is kind of snow-like  (maybe dump them in a plastic bag and spray with glitter or metallic paint then shake; let dry and fill containers).
• Elegant & formal?  Fill the containers with all silver or gold ornaments and bead garland.  Have the garland trail out and over the lip of the jars.
• Traditional?  Fill each container 1/3 to 1/2 full of fake snow then layer something red or green on top…..ornaments, garland, candy, flowers (use silk unless you’re going to put the stems in floral tubes)
  

  Create your winter wonderland with artificial snow and berries.

 

CASUAL HOLIDAY LOOK

Gift wrap 3 empty boxes in graduated sizes in coordinating paper, stack them and tie them all together with one big ribbon.  If you use flat shirt type boxes, it will be low enough to be in the middle of a dinner table and still see over.  Wrap small jewelry sized boxes and scatter along the length of the table, stacking some and separating some.  Add a garland and tuck the little presents within the branches.  Or put a package at each place setting with a name tag to serve as placecards.  This idea would also work well as a buffet centerpiece – one package tower on each end of the buffet serving table.

Another use for wrapped empty boxes is to use them as risers.  If you’ve created a display and something isn’t tall enough, set it on a wrapped box for extra oomph.  The best part is that you can color and theme coordinate the boxes SO easily.

DECORATE WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS

A very simple, natural look is to take 3 clear glass containers (cylinders, vases, water goblets) and fill 1/2 – 2/3 full of white rocks.  If the containers are all the same, you can fill them exactly the same and put them in a row down the middle of the table.  The repetition creates drama.  If they’re a variety of sizes, cluster them and fill them with varying amounts of rock.  Then add one berry spray (real or artificial) per container that leans out over the top of the container.  Depending upon what will fit in your container, you could add a votive, a single red (or blue or green) ball ornament off to the side, not right in the middle.  Or perch a little clip-on bird to the rim of each container.  Instead of a fancy ribbon use twine or raffia.

CENTERPIECES FROM THINGS YOU ALREADY HAVE

Use elements you have in your yard or garage or closet or left over bits and pieces from your other projects:  branches (bare or evergreen – real or faux), pine cones, silk evergreen or berry sprigs, paper from a scrapbooking stash, computer printed scripts or patterns, fabric scraps to gather, fray or scrunch, terracotta pots complete with moss (great in a cottage or vintage look), jewelry like pins (attach to a napkin or hang from ribbon), bracelets or necklaces to wind or drape through greens.  How can you use these goodies to make a creative table?

Also in the spirit of using what you have…..how about putting some of those canned goods to use – and I don’t mean cooking.  If you’re creating a candle grouping but have too many the same height, use a can of beans……  Wrap the can in ribbon or wrapping paper!  Use double sided tape (works well) or a spot of glue to hold the ribbon in place, put your pillar candle on top & voila – a taller candle, festively presented (make sure to use fire safety measures when burning your candles).  What else could you put on top of a ribbon wrapped can?  Use it as a riser for a figurine, an ornament, a vase of flowers….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEN MORE IDEAS

This table from House Beautiful shows using what you have, simply, can still create an elegant table.  Playing up the red glassware, a pewter bowl filled with red fruits is long lasting, edible, easy to copy and so good to look at.

 

For even more ideas from designers, Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality participated in a Holiday Show House last month and this link is to some more of the festive tables designed for that event.

The black and white checks are fresh and unexpected.

If something here sparked an idea or you have a brainstorm of your own, please share.  We all love to see holiday creativity flourishing.  REMEMBER:  Just by sharing a comment on any post during the 12 days of Christmas, we’ll send you a complete photographic step-by-step instruction booklet about how to make a professional florist bow.  It’s not so hard and all my florist tips are included.  So, speak to us……

Today we’re participating in another holiday “link” party – this one at A Soft Place To Land.  It’s focus is on DIY projects so if you have the energy to tackle another little project before Christmas, this will be the place to visit.  Or, if you’re like me, I’m bookmarking and saving my favorite ideas for next year’s decorating.