When you’re setting the table next week, consider easy and affordable decorations like pumpkins and squash and incorporate brilliant hues of orange, red and yellow to create a stunning presentation.
• Use your personal china, flatware and stemware.
• Create a foundation with table linens, including napkins. I used Mink Brown Satin linens, courtesy of Select Event Rentals in McLean.
• Make a non-traditional centerpiece by filling gutted pumpkins and butternut squash with seasonal flowers. Tips: Select a short, perfectly round pumpkin to keep the centerpiece fairly low. Cut a flat piece off the squash bottom to help it stand better. Buy a ready-made bouquet of flowers from the grocery store.
• Extend the centerpiece with glass candy dishes (or small bowls) filled with ornamental gourds, leaves, leftover greenery and candles.
Further embellish your table with a few extra details:
• Wrap the [cloth] napkin around the dinner plate and accent with a piece of ribbon, leaf, acorn or baby pumpkin. Additionally, create a place card by writing the guests' name on the object.
• Serve butter in the shape of a leaf by using a cookie cutter. Drizzle maple syrup on top for yummier rolls and sweet potatoes.
• Disguise your wine bottle with pretty fabric (or cloth napkin) tied with a ribbon.
Need another reason to decorate with gourds? They can be baked after the dinner party and used in your favorite bread, soup or casserole recipe. Now that's multi-tasking!
Has this article inspired you to create a gourd-geous Thanksgiving table? If so, please leave a comment and let me know!
Ashleigh is a certified special events professional and owner of posh parties, LLC , a party planning company specializing in themed social and corporate parties and celebrations. She lives in Reston, VA with her husband and three children. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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