A table set and decorated is the heart of any holiday dinner. A holiday gathering is not complete without a decorative tablescape. After all, this is where friends and family come to gather, share a meal and create memories.
“In a society where we are often too busy to sit down at the dinner table every night, the holidays provide us the opportunity to gather together at the table. Personalize your tablescape, and enjoy it with your loved ones,” said Keith Watson of Keith Watson Events.
He went on to share some simple, stylish and meaningful tips to help everyone create a beautiful tablescape for this upcoming holiday season.
Consider the Guest List
Who is coming to the holiday gathering? If family members attend, include family heirlooms that guests will appreciate and recognize. Family china, serving dishes, or other heirloom items unite family members through the memories associated with these items while, at the same time, making new memories together.
Gather with Intention
Gather things for the holiday tablescape throughout the year and set them aside in a designated spot. Doing so gives the host time to plan a tablescape with intention and create a beautiful layout that guests will appreciate.
Greenery and Gourds
Pumpkins, gourds, mums and pepper plants are excellent options for a Thanksgiving– or fall-themed tablescape. Each of these lasts a long time and creates a gorgeous arrangement of color on any table.
Fresh greenery is a tablescape go-to during the Christmas season. A fresh wreath in the middle of the dinner table with some candles is a simple, stunning and elegant way to adorn a holiday table. Implementing cedar and juniper berries also adds layers of texture and color to a winter tablescape.
Helpful Holiday Hints
Before the meal is served, burn a scented candle, but be sure to blow the candle out before eating. Why? The scent will linger in the home without conflicting with the aromas of the meal. Boiling some cinnamon sticks on the stove is also an easy, helpful way to create a festive environment to accompany the holiday tablescape.
Set the tablescape a few weeks in advance (if possible) and add flowers or greenery a few days before the meal. That way, it can be enjoyed during the whole holiday season.
The More, The Merrier
Be sure to include family members, especially children, in the planning of the tablescape. It is important for them to be a part of this process, and it is never too soon for children to learn how to set the table.
By Meredith Biesinger.