Decorating A Formal Dinner Table

Brian Hay, a chef and culinary instructor at Austin Community College and a sommelier who also teaches for the International Sommelier Guild, says, "If it's a theme party, go nuts and do whatever you think of. I have seen a Halloween party where there's a huge haunted house and everything has been converted. I have been to Christmas parties where you walk in and there is fake snow everywhere. There are no rules."

If your event has a color scheme, incorporate the colors into your decorations. Of course you will use at least one centerpiece, but there are other ways to decorate too.
Ribbons, confetti, and glitter can add a special touch - and sparkle - to the most formal occasions.

Buy curling ribbons in the colors used throughout your theme. Cut the ribbon into strips about two to three feet long and curl them. These can be scattered across the table away from dishes so they will not be in the way. You can also scatter glitter or confetti all over your table, just make sure to keep it away from areas where it may get mixed in with food. The safest way to do this is to place your table cloth on the table, add your glitter, ribbons, or confetti to the center of the table and then set your place settings. These items can also be sprinkled over flowers that are used as a centerpiece to give it a little extra pizazz. Check with craft stores or party supply stores for an assortment of colors and options.

Glass stones are also very popular. You've probably seen these glass stones placed in a vase to help hide the stems of a flowers and to hold them in place. But these stones don't have to be in vases. Scatter them down the middle of your table. Since they have flat sides, they won't roll, and they add a whole new dimension to your dinner table.

Theme parties can also use these same kind of decorations, plus a whole lot more. When it comes to table decorations, the key to an atttractive table is to not do too much. You want it to look great, but you also want people to have room to eat! Many craft and party stores will sell items in a minature form that work great for decorating tables.

For holiday parties, you will find what are called "picks" at craft stores. These are prebundled decorations that are on a wired stem. Most of these decorations are about fist sized, so depending on the size of your table, you may want to place them running down the center every couple of feet. You can either bend the stems together and hide them under one another or just cut them off all together.

Hay says, "Use your imagination and know how much work you want to do and how much clean-up you want to do. I felt sorry for the person with the fake snow because that stuff went everywhere."