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The holidays are upon
us. This year, wow your friends and family with a magnificent
display on your holiday table. With a few simple steps you
can turn an ordinary meal into an elegant affair. Don’t
stress out, just remember the four basics and take them
on one at a time: Color, lighting, centerpiece and place
setting. Then to add the final touch…ACCESSORIZE!!
Color
Find a common color theme when setting the table with one
or two complementing tones. Try a tone-on-tone color palette
for an elegant look, keeping all your accessories in different
shades of the same color.
Lighting
The most appealing lighting for a table comes from above.
Classically, this is done with a candelabra. Candles create
a warm and inviting ambiance. They are inexpensive and extremely
versatile.
• Floating candles
are great. The bigger the candle, the better it will float.
Add food coloring to the water for a colorful display.
• For a floating candle centerpiece, add a mirror charger
underneath. Add fake jewels to the bottom of the bowl for
extra flare.
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• Stemware candleholders.
Invert some of your stemware, adding a nice ornament or
piece of jewelry under the glass. Add a candle on the top
to create a gorgeous candleholder.
• Small stemware, right side up this time, make excellent
candleholders. Add ribbons around the stems for extra color
and eye appeal. (Of course our stemware is never used for
alcohol.)
• When using low
lighting, like votives, be sure to use plenty.
• Cranberries are a wonderful way to add color. Place
a taper in a goblet and fill with cranberries to secure
it.
Centerpieces
Your centerpiece will be the focal point of your table.
Even if you purchase a flower arrangement, you can enhance
the design by adding a complementary mat, napkin, table
runner or piece of fabric under the arrangement. You can
also add candles or other accent pieces you might have on
hand such as fall leaves, herbs or sparkling confetti to
add pizzazz.
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• Make
our Pineapple Turkey for Thanksgiving. It’s quick,
easy, and your kids can help.
• Small Indian corn, gourd pumpkins and squash create
a lovely centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.
• A few days before Thanksgiving, set out a table runner
and markers in a central location in the house. Encourage
everyone to write a fond memory or sentiment from the current
year on the runner.
• Need a centerpiece
at the last minute? Gather an assortment of jars. Cut star
fruit and place slices around the edges, then fill with
cranberries and water. Add fresh, dried, or silk flowers.
Surround with dried leaves and candles. Voila!
• Feature a special
ornament collection as a centerpiece. Use greens and candles
to add seasonal touches.
• Go natural. Place pine and cedar on the table. Make
an arrangement of mandarin oranges, greens and cranberries.
The scent will say “Holiday!”
• Make a quick and
easy village skating scene. Your
children can mix up the snow and they’ll love adding
the figures.
• If your centerpiece is low, elevate it by placing
books, a block of wood or a box under a cloth. The added
dimension and color will enhance the effect.
• Think of your meal as a giant gift to your guests
and wrap your table in holiday paper with a magnificent
bow as your centerpiece.
Place
Settings
Place settings that are fun relax everyone at a formal or
large gathering, and they add a more festive atmosphere.
Make sure you have the right pieces in the correct place
and then add a decorative touch.
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• Personalize place
setting with a decorative place card. Write each guest’s
name on a colorful fall leaf. Use a pine cone as a place
card holder.
• Confused about which utensil to use? Watch the hostess
and then follow her example. If you’re the hostess,
we've got some tips for you in our “Dining
Dilemma: Which utensil do I use?”
• If the table will not be set with china, use a decorative
charger to fill the empty space.
• Napkins add the final touch. Use decorative folds
and a festive napkin ring to complete your elegant table.
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Buffets
Finally, if you are serving your meal, hors d’oeuvres
or desserts buffet-style, create a feast for the eyes as
well as the palate. Add visual variety by varying the height
of dishes using blocks, boxes or books underneath the tablecloth
or a piece of beautiful fabric. Create a tiered serving
platter by stacking plates on large stemware such as a candy
dish, a compote dish or a large margarita glass. (Of course
our stemware is never used for alcohol.)
Rather than placing dishes
randomly, consider the flow. Plates clearly must be found
at the beginning, but napkins or silverware are unnecessary
until the end. If guests have a plate in one hand and a
glass in the other they will have no hands free. Be sure
that guests can serve themselves without the inconvenience
of carrying too many items or balancing a plate while they
try to serve.
Accent your buffet table
with ornaments, greens and candles. Use a garland of beads
or strung cranberries to lead the eye over the display.
Fill in with small bowls filled with condiments, nuts, dried
fruit, and candy.
Holidays are a time for
a little extra. A delicious meal is a treat for everyone,
but a drab table is like a cake with no frosting. Add that
extra touch this season by applying your creative flare
with items you already have at your fingertips. Then sit
back and enjoy the glow of the warm candlelight and the
pleasure of your friends and family.
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1.
Cut out felt according to the pattern. 
6.
Glue the beak pieces to the side of the head and then glue
the points together.
