Holiday Table Decorating Tricks Using What You Have

 

 

I can’t believe that out of all of the years I have been blogging that I have never done a “table tricks” post for decorating a holiday table using what you have.  Layering a table for the is one of my favorite things to do and it’s fun to challenge myself to use what I have and get creative.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite little tricks as we head into the holidays.

This Thanksgiving, our holiday dinner will be in our kitchen because my dining room is under construction right now.  I went ahead and set my table up ahead of time this weekend to have it done and to show you some of the tricks ahead of time.  A little disclaimer, my table is not normally this busy and so much in the middle.  I did a few extra things to show you some tricks.

 

 

1) DIY Square Table Cloth

One of my favorite tricks is taking a larger scrap piece of fabric (left over from upholstery projects) and turning it into a square table cloth.  I have done this so many times that I now have a great selection of tablecloths for just about anything and they are really quick and easy to make:

 

 

 

To make a square tablecloth, I usually cut down the fabric to  55″ x  55″.  I either use my sewing machine or sometimes, I do a no-sew and use Heat and Bond hem strips to attach and fold under a hem and iron according the Heat and Bond directions.  I usually use either fabric glue or a hot glue gun to attach trim. This is just a really easy way to incorporate a fun color or pattern without having to do a full size table cloth (or buy one).

2) Work in Natural Elements

Natural or dried elements are a great way to add to a table and also use what you already have.  Things like seed balls, moss balls, antlers, grapevine balls, small tree branches and pinecones (Christmas tree clippings and berry branches for Christmas):

 

 

I love to buy those bags of small natural decorative balls (sometimes they’re mixed with moss balls) on the clearance aisle at Ross and Home Goods because they are perfect for quick table decorating and used mixed in glass cloches or like I have worked it into to the large metal cloche with the moss balls:

 

 

 

By the way, you can do this same look with a tall glass cylinder vase just by tossing in different size natural balls like I did for the metal cloche/urn.

3) Shop your Home

I use other decorative accessories I have around my home like this blue and white ginger jar that I’m using for flowers:

 

 

Once you decide what colors and style you want to create on your table, take a look around your home and think about using things as a creative vase or even something to use to stack 3-4 pillar candles.  There are so many fun possibilities.

4) Mix and Match Dishes and Napkins

If you’re having a larger group, mix consider mixing and matching your napkins and plates.  Each place setting does not have to be the same, in fact, I love it when they’re each a little different.  This helps if you do not have large complete sets of napkins or dishes:

Mix and matching different dish patterns is also a great way to add even more color and pattern mix.

5) Fluff Up Grocery Store Floral Bouquets

For flowers, I usually buy grocery store arrangements and mix them up with asparagus fern and other clippings from my yard. I swear, asparagus fern mixed with any flower instantly makes an arrangement.  If you don’t have it growing in your yard, consider getting a large plant so you can get cuttings.

 

 

I also use small jars, tooth pick holders and even glass votives to do one flower at every place setting.  Again, they don’t have to match and it’s a pretty way to get even more color:

 

6) Elevate Using What You Have

If you have tall pillar candy dishes, pillar candle holders or even cake stands, this is a great way to elevate things on a table (or buffet) seasonal things like I have done with a wood pumpkin:

 

 

You can stack natural elements, add multiple pillar candles or even small Christmas bottle brush trees at Christmas.  Cake stands are also a fun way to serve appetizers, crackers and cheese or a vegi tray.  They are one of my favorite things to use when entertaining because they add height and they can be used for almost anything!

Enjoy your week friends and as always, thank you so much for stopping by!

Cheers!

Cyndy