Holiday seasons have a way of showcasing the best and worst of decor and everything in between.I attended a dinner-dance this past weekend where the space was tastefully decorated with the usual greenery, candles, ribbons and a bit of bling. But when I sat down at my table all I could imagine was Victoria's Secret: the chairs had been draped with satin-polyester covers and the napkins spent more time on the floor than on our laps.A very slippery combination. All of which brings me to the point that when entertaining, we really do need to consider function before form!
This time of year seems to compel us to entertain as many people at once as possible; perhaps it is anticipating the consequential cammaraderie but it certainly does challenge our use of space. Whether we host a family buffet or an open house for 100, it is important to create a good traffic flow. Try to position your serving table so that guests can circulate around it, rather than just one side. On the other hand, if space is very limited, you might want to pass the food or place the trays around the room on various tables. Unless you are serving finger food only, you will need to provide plates and flatware. It is best to set this near the food. I like to roll the flatware in a napkin which helps when juggling food and drink. Drinks can be served in a totally different area. Whether you hire serving help or solicit it from your teenagers, it is nice to have someone moving about, picking up empty plates and glasses. If nothing else, it minimizes the kitchen crowd!
Now that the logistics are out of the way, what about the decor? Naturally, you will use your best linens and create a most festive centerpiece. Do you have a theme in mind? You don't need to go crazy, but there are so many options and if you're stuck, leaf through any magazine to start your creative juices. A table arrangement as basic as a bowl filled with evergreens, dotted with a few gold or silver Christmas tree balls can do the trick.
If you like the gold and silver look, try this: group glass blocks -available at a building supply store or places like Home Depot - tied like a package with 3" wide gold or silver ribbon and placed on end. Surround them with votives of crystal candle holders. To add even more glamour, you can position the blocks and candles on mirror tiles.
Mirror tiles work wonders for magnifying an effect. Glass or crystal trees grouped on a round mirror which has been lightly dusted with artificial snow can transport winter to Christmas in the South.
Everywhere I go -whether it's the dollar store or Macy's, there is no limit to the number of Christmas figurines snowmen, nutcrackers, santas, angels -gather a few and create a centerpiece with them...add greens, trail some ribbon, and you've set your theme. Always make sure the height is appropriate. If the table is for a buffet, you can make the center as high as you like; in fact the height should be such that it is set apart from all the serving pieces. Speaking of serving pieces, few of us have the luxury of matched pieces, so use what you have with the idea that the mix makes the table more interesting.
As much as we all want to create the most wonderful setting for family and friends, ehn all is said and done, we know that it is the family and friends that create the setting....so my advice is to do your creative best but most important, relax, smile, and enjoy your own party! Happy holidays!
This time of year seems to compel us to entertain as many people at once as possible; perhaps it is anticipating the consequential cammaraderie but it certainly does challenge our use of space. Whether we host a family buffet or an open house for 100, it is important to create a good traffic flow. Try to position your serving table so that guests can circulate around it, rather than just one side. On the other hand, if space is very limited, you might want to pass the food or place the trays around the room on various tables. Unless you are serving finger food only, you will need to provide plates and flatware. It is best to set this near the food. I like to roll the flatware in a napkin which helps when juggling food and drink. Drinks can be served in a totally different area. Whether you hire serving help or solicit it from your teenagers, it is nice to have someone moving about, picking up empty plates and glasses. If nothing else, it minimizes the kitchen crowd!
Now that the logistics are out of the way, what about the decor? Naturally, you will use your best linens and create a most festive centerpiece. Do you have a theme in mind? You don't need to go crazy, but there are so many options and if you're stuck, leaf through any magazine to start your creative juices. A table arrangement as basic as a bowl filled with evergreens, dotted with a few gold or silver Christmas tree balls can do the trick.
If you like the gold and silver look, try this: group glass blocks -available at a building supply store or places like Home Depot - tied like a package with 3" wide gold or silver ribbon and placed on end. Surround them with votives of crystal candle holders. To add even more glamour, you can position the blocks and candles on mirror tiles.
Mirror tiles work wonders for magnifying an effect. Glass or crystal trees grouped on a round mirror which has been lightly dusted with artificial snow can transport winter to Christmas in the South.
Everywhere I go -whether it's the dollar store or Macy's, there is no limit to the number of Christmas figurines snowmen, nutcrackers, santas, angels -gather a few and create a centerpiece with them...add greens, trail some ribbon, and you've set your theme. Always make sure the height is appropriate. If the table is for a buffet, you can make the center as high as you like; in fact the height should be such that it is set apart from all the serving pieces. Speaking of serving pieces, few of us have the luxury of matched pieces, so use what you have with the idea that the mix makes the table more interesting.
As much as we all want to create the most wonderful setting for family and friends, ehn all is said and done, we know that it is the family and friends that create the setting....so my advice is to do your creative best but most important, relax, smile, and enjoy your own party! Happy holidays!
No comments:
Post a Comment