The Holiday season came a little too fast this year. But I'm not complaining! I can't wait for my Grandma Cat's turkey and her pineapple empanadas. The empanadas are the first thing my family rushes to set aside because you might not get one if you wait 'til dessert time. (I'm still not over last year.) What's your family's favorite dish?
I wanted to share a few decorating tips that I've learned and thought of that won't break the bank and will impress your guests. I decided to go with a neutral tone for this setting because it's what I already had in my collection. For Dallas, Texas most trees are still green around this time so I mixed green into it. For those of you who live in areas where the leaves are all kinds of colors, I bet your table will look so rich and warmer! Check out my tips below and share the blog with a friend!
#1 Floral & Foliage: Step outside and forage from your herb garden or backyard. Rosemary branches and magnolia tree branches would be ideal. Just be sure to clean them off really well and get any bugs off then place in water until you get ready to decorate. Baby's Breath (gypsophila) is pretty inexpensive and looks beautiful bunched together.
#2 Vases: You can use almost anything as a vase. I like to peruse the drinkware aisle at Target, Dollar Tree, and local Estate Sales to find new and interesting vase options. If you don't want to spend any money go raid your Mother or Grandmother's cupboards for the good stuff.
#3 Plates & Flatware: Mix & Match. Thankfully now a days it's chic to mix and match plates. Gone are the days of matching china sets. Don't get me wrong. If you have it, USE IT! A few years back we were throwing a backyard fête and I did not want to rent the plates so I visited my local Goodwill and found plates for $1. They are now part of my collection of party plates we use for the not so formal family gatherings.
#4 Texture & Extra decor: Think about using a shear fabric or curtain you may have stored away as an added texture for your runner. For your Thanksgiving table, bring in some of the smaller pumpkins or gourds (that are still in good condition) and place them along the table. Take it a step further and spray paint your pumpkin in a hue that compliments your color scheme. For Christmas, pull out some of your old ornaments and use generously. Ornaments with sentimental value can add a personal touch and will definitely become conversation starters. If you're looking to make it more of an intimate setting, you can never go wrong with votive candles.
#5 Personalize it: This is a major key. Personalizing your table or guest seating will not only impress the your guests but it will make them feel really special that you took the time to think of them. One simple way is handwriting their name's on a simple tag and placing it on the plate. Even if you feel like your handwriting is not that great, go for it! Pinterest has so many ideas on place cards. Search away but keep it simple.
Share your tips in the comment section below and like the post if you learned something new!
