Comments on: Let’s Talk Table Settings

By: billiev

billiev — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 20:26:32 +0000

Shawna, we rarely put our food out on the table itself, we leave it on buffet server if we are eating in the dining room or on our kitchen bar if we are eating in the breakfast room. We do put the bread basket, butter, salt and pepper, gravy boat, etc. (the little things like that) on the table. It just seems easier for us that way and leaves room to ‘dress up’ the table if we want to.

By: David Donahue

David Donahue — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 05:42:13 +0000

We used to place a wide shallow bowl in the middle of the table partially fill with water and float Camellias with the first two leaves, smells nice too…

By: Shawna

Shawna — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:18:14 +0000

I have to wonder, where do people put the food if you have such beautifully-decorated tables? Are your tables massive? At my house during the holidays, between the traditional dishes, the non-traditional dishes, and the vegetarian dishes, we barely have enough room for the food. I feel like I’m missing a key tip here… do you take the decorations off the table when it comes time to eat?

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 03:26:57 +0000

It’s different every year at my house. This year I’ll spread colorful leaves from my trees down the center of the table like a runner, and set a a big pumpkin carved with a leaf design all the way around it in the middle of the table, light it up, and use it for a centerpiece. I’ll use vintage martini glasses at each place setting for floating candles. I dip the rims first in corn syrup and then some coarse sugar crystals which sparkle when the candles are lit, fill 2/3 with water, and set a little candle to float in each one. Last week I found some really cute maple leaf shaped candles, and will use orange sanding/decorator sugar on the rims of the glasses. A couple of Xmas’s ago, I used snowflake floating candles and chunky white sugar crystals for the rims. I also use individual salt and pepper shakers, and make butter “rosettes” with a pastry bag or mold it into appropriate shapes in chocolate molds and put a few pieces on little piles of crushed ice in tiny clear glass dishes and set them next to the S & P shakers by each plate.

By: Kari Lindsay

Kari Lindsay — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 21:43:17 +0000

I think food looks great on white dishes, and I change out the table linens (although I do love white linens as well). For a sit down dinner; rather than a large center piece and tall candles, I like to have lots of small glasses with a few blossoms and plenty of votives in carved out mini pumpkins for Thanksgiving, for Christmas just I just lay some tree branches and sprinkle some pine cones or small ornaments depending on my mood.

By: Mindy

Mindy — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 21:54:23 +0000

That literally made me laugh out loud…I too have the same crafting abilities….but boy can I McGyver things!! Although I did pick up the crocheting chain stitch and macrame from my mother, THAT was it for me….but I can cook, bake and garden (something my mother never did when I was a kid) like my maternal grandmother did, or so my mom tells me. Thanks for all of the ideas, I will pass them on to her so she can perfect them, and then someday I will just remake them!!

By: TK-Betsy

TK-Betsy — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 19:13:26 +0000

We didn’t notice the knife either, obviously. You won’t find perfection here! But we do our best. Good tip on the votives! We do aspire to avoid burns and fires.

By: WestieMom

WestieMom — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 17:58:38 +0000

Wow – I feel inadequate as I didn’t even notice the knife! I do love these table-setting ideas, though; and I’m definitely trying Elly’s empty can votive candle holder suggestion! I do aspire to be more creative in the tablescape department (I’m much better at the cooking & baking part) so last Thanksgiving (at each place setting) I placed little votive candles in holders with cranberries. Beautiful effect…unfortunately 2 guest burned themselves reaching for food! Just an FYI to keep those lit votives away from between a guest and something yummy! Thanks again for the ideas & great photos

By: TK-Betsy

TK-Betsy — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:39:04 +0000

Love this one. Thanks, Elly!

By: TK-Betsy

TK-Betsy — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:36:49 +0000

Such great ideas for involving the kids with homemade elements. Makes for a really special table. Thanks for sharing, Krissy!