Artful arrangement
Our casual place setting shows simple can be beautiful. Its personality started with a cleverly folded "pocket" napkin. Then we added artfully arranged silverware, a $2 place mat, layered dishes and a frame of grapevine twigs -- all on a table runner cut from bargain burlap.
Wrapping paper accents
Turn colorful, graphic designs into bargain Christmas decor for your table.
Easy napkin rings: Fashion wrapping paper scraps into simple, seasonal napkin rings. Mount paper to card stock. Cut 1x10-inch strips. Starting 1-3/4 inches from one end of a strip, create a 1-1/4 inch slit. Wrap strip around a napkin, pulling the opposite end through the opening. A felt snowflake adds finishing frill.
Colorful name card holders: Wrapping paper scraps can make merry place card holders. Glue paper to both sides of a 3x5-inch piece of card stock. Fold in half, leaving a 1/2 inch lip to fold up as the card holder. For extra cheer, write names in holiday colors, or "give" guests names from classic Christmas tales and let them pick their seats.
Flair on a budget
Inexpensive items can give your holiday table a lot of pop. For place settings, we spent $2 on a packet of 15 doilies, then printed out guests' names and laid the printed, cutout circles on top of the doilies. (Dollar stores sell durable, clear plates for about $1 each.)
We dressed up the rest of the table by using three spools of ribbon, in various widths and shades, as a table runner, embellished with holiday ornaments. We also created bud vases by covering coffee cans with wrapping paper and ribbon.
Tiny tree table
Out-of-the-ordinary vessels will make tiny evergreens stand out.
Here, foot-high yews, with root balls nestled in moss, look fresh lined up in a galvanized tray. Anchor with white and purple eggplants for an all-natural look. Use eggcups with tiny juniper sprigs to create "trees" at place settings; fill the cup bases with spice berries and pinecones. Linen napkins wrapped with green ribbon complete the organic look.
Instant decoration
Thread bells on ribbon and scatter a few tree ornaments for an instant table decoration. A sprig of aromatic rosemary adds a touch of green to folded napkin pockets. Shown on plate: Turkey Breast a la Porketta, a pork roast invented by Italian and Portuguese immigrants in Iron Country.
Golden touch
Create an elegant look with gold-rimmed plates and flatware. Small gifts wrapped in bright red paper are a fun way to start your gathering. Display a special message to each guest with a decorated card on a stand.
Dress up chairs
Add to the appeal of your holiday table by dressing up chair backs. Here, we draped the chair with a yard of soft white fabric tied in a square knot, added a purchased twig wreath, and held it all together with a fat red ribbon and glued nametag.
Pinecone beauty
White-tipped pinecones atop napkins hold place cards. The soft colors are repeated in white candles wrapped with fat green velvet ribbon attached with pearl-headed pins.
Frame your food
Place charger plates beneath the dinner plates. Accent with ribbon between the two plates, if you like. Shown on plate: Walnut Room Butternut Squash Ravioli, a holiday main dish from Macy's Walnut Room in Chicago.
Edible place cards
Eye-catching fruit like these Anjou pears makes a perfect platform for place cards.
Make it clearly Christmas
Layer silver and paper snowflakes or Christmas-theme confetti between clear plastic plates for frosty fun at the dinner table.
Keep it super-simple
White plates provide a pretty contrast against a red charger and red tablecloth. A simple striped ribbon adds just the right touch of color to the white napkin.
Lovely layers
For a quick and easy casual presentation, fold napkins into a square and top with an evergreen sprig and a pretty ornament, such as this crocheted star.
