Going with a theme

DIY Ideas for your holiday table setting

The most important element is setting the tone and look for your table. Choosing a theme is crucial! Here are a few to consider, A brighter take on the traditional red and green, or perhaps an existing element in the room will be your inspiration – such as the polka-dotted window valance in this picture which was the inspiration for this colorful holiday theme. Dots appear everywhere and are accented by real oranges on the table and the tree.

Next thing to consider is your table itself. Oh….wait…. don’t forget your chairs! Be sure to add some holiday flair to your chairs with this festive chair back idea. This is a quick decoration on the back of your dining-room chair that is also super easy. Just tie on a big red-ribbon bow along with a wire sprig of greenery and a glittering white snowflake ornament and – VOILA - it’s pretty and simple - your guest can even take the sprig home as a little gift!

Now for your linens….try a ribbon table runner. Simply set the table for a festive meal by layering color, texture, and materials. Purchase runners or make them by cutting lengths of fabric and pressing the edges under. In addition to the runner you can make these pretty napkin rings and place mats. Punctuate a napkin with a ribbon-covered button made using a button kit. A length of ribbon tacked with thread forms the napkin ring, which is topped with the button and second ribbon loop. To add designer details to a purchased place mat, apply a length of ribbon using no-sew adhesive fabrics tape.

Let’s move along to place settings….

Create a special place at the table for each guest with these 3 easy to make ideas:

Elegant Ribbon Roses

Make ribbon roses to fill oversize bowls. For the roses, start with 5-inch-wide wired ribbon cut 60 inches long. Pull the wire on one side of the ribbon, roll it into a rose shape, and tack the ends.

Ribbon-Accented Table Setting Colorful ribbon projects add a festive punch to this holiday table. Simply wrap a ribbon around two plates to create an elegant place setting.

Holiday Place Settings Dress up each place setting with a keepsake ornament. Just replace the metal hook with a pretty ribbon tie.

Center of attention

Centerpieces by Maevelicious

Looking for some sparkle - these ideas are sure to take center stage on your holiday table!

Low Glow

Real or artificial magnolia leaves (these have a quick spritz of gold paint) are set on a flat platter to form the foundation for an arrangement of holiday ornaments and tiny berry sprigs. Easy and impressive!

Noel, Noel (shown above)

Glass candlesticks look like elegant pedestals for these oversize red ornaments decorated with glittered letters.

Or how about hurricane candle holders filled with colorful mini ornaments.

Serving Up Sophistication (shown above)

A pair of stacked cake plates dressed with evergreens, glass balls, pine cones, and red berries makes a sophisticated, no-fuss centerpiece.

Candy Cane Candle Centerpiece

Stylish glass vases hold candles for a centerpiece and look as festive as a candy cane. To make this centerpiece, tie the candles together with ribbon, leaving long ends. Hold the candles upright while pouring in enough layers of decorative red and white sugar to anchor them firmly.

Lovely Lanterns
A little simpler are various lanterns filled with faux snow and ornaments – great for indoor or out!

Decorative Balls These decorative balls fashioned from red, green, and white Christmas light bulbs make a delightful low centerpiece when grouped en masse in a bowl along with a few glass-ball ornaments.

Supplies
· Disposable foam brush
· 5-inch-diameter plastic-foam ball
· Acrylic paint in the same color as the bulbs
· C9- or C7- Christmas bulbs
· Glue gun and hotmelt adhesive

Instructions
1. Use the foam brush to coat the plastic-foam ball with acrylic paint. Let dry.
2. Insert the screw end of a lightbulb into the foam ball until the glass touches the ball.
3. Remove the bulb and apply a drop of hot glue to the end of the bulb. Immediately reinsert the bulb into the hole.
4. Working outward from the first bulb, continue attaching bulbs in the same manner until the ball is covered with bulbs

Cool Roses Red-and-white peppermint sticks are tied with a red-and-white grosgrain ribbon. (Use a sturdy rubber band to hold the canes in place, or just hot-glue them to an inexpensive vase.) It's a jolly presentation for usually formal red roses.

Minty Topiary Quick to make and colorful, these topiary trees are made from candy that's been hot-glued to a Styrofoam cone. These could be displayed as is or set on a silver candlestick for added elegance.

A Minty Fresh Forest Poked into a cardboard base that's sprinkled with fake snow, green Plexiglas rods hold aloft peppermint balls in a contemporary sculpture. If you leave the mints in their wrappers, use a dab of hot glue to hold the candy aloft.

Make your table setting this Christmas as memorable as the event itself!