Decorating a Table

by Lesley Barker

Theme and Mood

Decorating a table reflects the mood or theme of your event . Before designing your table decorations, choose colors and objects that resonate with the honored guest or occasion. A Christmas party table decorated with traditional reds and greens can be more elegant with whites, golds and silvers. A child's birthday party may be designed around the child's favorite color. Pirates, baseballs or teddy bears are great ideas for a centerpiece. Meals served at business events can be enhanced by the table decorations, as well as wedding meals. They indicate the level of formality. More informal meals will be served buffet style with paperware. Formal meals involve several courses served on fine china by waitstaff. The table decorations for formal meals will include place cards to direct the guests to their assigned seats. Finally, the table decoration serves as an ice-breaker for your guests by introducing a shared topic for conversation.

Centerpieces, Place Cards, Flowers and Candles

Centerpieces, place cards, flowers and candles are the typical elements used in decorating a table. All of these items can be purchased ready-made from party stores, florists or craft stores. On the other hand, you can customize your table decorations and make them yourself. If yours is a formal event, use family crystal and silver to hold flowers and floating candles. If you are a creative person, scour home and hospitality magazines at a local bookstore for ideas to adapt to your theme and occasion. Make sure that your centerpieces are low enough so that guests seated on opposite sides of the table can see each other over it.
Setting the Table

Start by putting the tablecloths on the tables, followed by the centerpieces. Bits of confetti spread on top of the table cloth add a bit of whimsy. If you are setting individual places, put out the china, flatware and glassware. If you are using cloth napkins, you may decide to fold them to echo the theme of your event. See the Resources for directions for specially folded napkins. If you decide to assign seats, use a seating chart to make sure that you put each person near someone whose personality will make for comfortable conversation during the meal. Finally, add salt and pepper shakers, butter and any other condiments just before the guests arrive.

Theme and Mood