Tips for Creating a Beautiful Tablescape

Don't spend a lot of money. Use things you already own to decorate your table. Look all around your house (that includes the bathroom and bedrooms) and even in your garage and yard for items to use on your table. Be mindful of ways you can reuse anything you plan to purchase for your table. Imagination is a much more value commodity than money in this endeavor.

Tip #2: THINK THEME

Decorate your table around a theme. The theme of your table is often dictated by a season, holiday or occasion. It can also be determined by your desire to use something you love on your table, whether it involves a hobby, favorite color, a song, a piece of pottery, some pretty paper napkins, a souvenir from your travels, or even a fruit or vegetable.

Tip #3: EXCEPTIONS TO ETIQUETTE

There are no hard and fast rules to setting a beautiful table. Memorable tables can be very formal or very casual. Paper or plastic plates and napkins are acceptable and often are quite appropriate for casual themes. Your table may be set any way you choose. Don't worry over the correct placement of the salad forks...who says you even need salad forks?

Tip #4: FORGET FLOWERS

It's not necessary to purchase fresh flowers. I've set many formal and informal tables over the years and have purchased fresh flowers less than a handful of times. Your table's centerpiece may be as simple as several lemons in a glass vase or weeds found in a ditch.

Tip #5 TERRIFIC TABLECLOTHS

Your table needn't be anchored by a tablecloth. A blanket, a bed sheet, a quilt, two table runners crisscrossed or no tablecloth at all, depending on your theme, may take the place of a traditional tablecloth.

Tip #6 PRETTY PLACECARDS

Placecards can be easily and inexpensively made out of folded cardstock or purchased ready-made. A placecard lets your guests know that you've put forth a special effort to make them feel personally welcomed.

Tip #7 DO-AHEAD DUTIES

My most important advice to you is to set your beautiful table as far ahead in advance as possible. The day before your dinner is not too soon to set up the major components of your table. Make sure glasses and flatware are shiny and spot-free. Press your tablecloth. Place the serving pieces on the table. Decide on your seating arrangement. You will have plenty of other matters to attend to as the hour of your guests' arrival approaches.

Tip #8 LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Enjoy the fruits of your labors and bask in the glow of numerous compliments on your gorgeous tablescape!