How to Decorate a Dinner Party Table
You have to host a dinner party--for a business dinner. Instead of worrying, have fun making plans, setting everything up, and deciding how to decorate the table. You can let your creative side go when choosing decorations and make it as casual or as formal as the occasion requires.
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Things You'll Need
- Centerpiece
- Pitcher
- Tablecloth
- Placemats
- Cloth napkins
- Place settings
- Silverware
- Place cards
Instructions
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Choose a tablecloth, placemats and napkins. Make sure they match and that they don't clash. If the tablecloth has flowers, use solid color placemats and napkins that match a color in the tablecloth. If you use a white tablecloth, you can be more creative with napkins and placemats. Using all solid colors can look great, too.
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Create an attractive centerpiece. Don't make it so tall that your guests can't see each other across the table. Something as simple as a basket of flowers or a bowl of fruit are appropriate as long as they're under 6 inches. You can get more creative during certain seasons and near particular holidays. Greenery for winter holidays, a watermelon fruit boat for summer, and candles anytime will work as a centerpiece.
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Set the table neatly. You want your plates, silverware and glasses to shine. Your silverware placement will be in the order of the course served. Salad forks on the left and soup spoons on the right are the farthest from the plate, since those are usually the first courses. The dessert fork will be closest to the plate because dessert is the last course served.
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Buy place cards from a stationery store or use watercolor paper to create your own. Use calligraphy pens or stencils to write your guests' names on the place cards. If you're artistic, decorate them with something meaningful to the person whose name is on the card.
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Fill all water glasses just before the meal. Leave your best pitcher on the table full of water so guests can refill as needed. Put the water glass just above the knife. Put a set of butter dishes and salt and pepper shakers for every four people.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't overdo the decorations. You don't want to load up your table with too many items.
