EASY DESSERT TABLE IDEAS

If you're fed up trying to recreate all those immaculately styled dessert tables you see

on Pinterest (and wondering why yours turn out more like a 3rd grade arts & crafts

project!), then check out the tips and suggestions below. These dessert table ideas for

birthday parties, weddings, or baby showers, can easily be recreated at home and

there's something for every type of budget.

Remember, you can also apply these decorating tips to a general buffet table, food

station, or drinks bar—you don't need to have a dedicated candy bar/dessert table.

On this page, We'll look at different ideas for the main component; the backdrop ,

along with tips and suggestions for how best to construct, support, display, or hang

this . Then, on the continuing pages, we'll look more closely at the actual food styling

and presentation .

PRINTED BACKDROPS

One of the easiest ways to create a dessert table backdrop is to buy pre -designed

artwork, which can be personalized with your choice of text, then take the digital f i le to

your local copy shop and have it printed to the size you want.

GIANT BALLOONS

These helium-fil led 36" giant balloons can be used to create a stylish dessert table

backdrop when anchored down with balloon weights, l ike in the example below left by

Amy Atlas. However, rather than arrange them in a row as she has, I think they look

better when arranged in a cluster at varying heights as in the photo below center. Just

remember to consider the background behind the balloons. Ideally you want to arrange

them in front of a plain wall or a large uncluttered window/french doors. You can pick

up confetti-filled giant balloons here.

REGULAR BALLOONS

You can also use regular ones to create more of a 'wall of balloons' style backdrop by

using different length strings when anchoring them (see photo below right). If it 's a

younger kids party, it 's fine to use multicolored balloons. However, for a more

sophisticated look you can create a nice ombre effect by arranging these in three rows

with the darkest at the bottom and the lightest at the top, as in the photo below left.

Alternatively, a single color can also look chic, and I quite l ike it when they're a rranged

loosely 'en-masse' running the entire length of the dessert table and flanking it at each

end (see photo below center for a similar effect). These look best when you

use pearlized balloons such as these.

BALLOON LETTERS / NUMBERS

Get creative with these giant number and letter balloons to spell out names, years,

words, or phrases to create a simple backdrop for dessert tables, buffet tables, and

bars. Again, you need to consider your background carefully, a plain wall works best to

ensure the words can be easily read. I also like the way they've created a background

of other smaller balloons in the photo below right—although you might want to do these

in a different color to really make the main word stand out.

FREESTANDING BACKDROP BOARDS

This 8ft x 8ft photo booth backdrop board (below left) is a handy and cost-effective

structure to use for creating dessert table backdrops. It comes with it's own leg

supports to make it freestanding, and it's the type of thing you can use again and

again. You can paint it or attach different f inishes to it, such as balloons , t issues poms,

or any of the following decoration ideas below.

CHALKBOARD

One option is to cover the backdrop board with chalkboard contact paper or chalkboard

paint, both available here. Use it to create simply hand-drawn backdrops, such as this

New York skyline, or for a milestone birthday party scribble personal messages,

greetings, and fun facts around photos of the birthday boy or gir l from different stages

of their l ife.

You could also use a chalkboard backdrop in a more practical way to identify different

food items on a buffet / dessert table, l ike in the photo below left. Alternatively, pick a

meaningful quote or song lyric, or just write the persons name(s) and date in a

decorative way.

PAPER FLOWERS

These paper f lowers can be applied to the backdrop board above to create an elegant

dessert table for a wedding or milestone birthday. You can pick up different colors and sizes

here.

These paper f lowers aren't that cheap so, depending on your budget, you might not be

able to cover an entire backdrop board. However, you can get arrangements l ike the

ones below here, measuring 4ft wide by 2ft tall, which would allow you to create a nice

display if arranged centrally on the wall behind the dessert table—or spread them out

more loosely as if they are creeping over the wall l ike ivy.

Another way to use the paper f lowers is in conjunction with another decorative

background and just have them creeping around the edges, such as in the photos

below. They work particularly well with the chalkboard background and text, or you can

create a patterned backdrop, such as the one below left, by cover the backdrop board

with decorative contact paper.

If you're on a tighter budget, you can create something similar using these tissue paper

flowers (below left), available here. I think these would work best if you use just one

color of f lower, or perhaps 80% one color and then 20% of another just as an accent

color, a bit like in the white and gold paper f lower arrangement above.

ARTIFICIAL BOXWOOD TOPIARY

Another covering you can apply to the backdrop board is this artif icial boxwood topiary

hedging. It comes in sections measuring 15" x 23", so approx 2ft x 1ft, and looks great

with a few other decorative elements added on top, such as flowers, mirrors, framed

photographs, lettering, garland banners, or even the letter balloons menti oned

previously.

3D LETTER BACKDROPS

Sometimes it's enough to just use large 3D letters, applied to a simple textured or

patterned backdrop, for your buffet / dessert table decor. You can use this to spell out

the birthday boy / girl 's name or year of birth, but I think these are often less obvious

when used to spell out simple words and phrases, such as celebrate, cheers, 50 and

Fabulous, or oh what fun!

You can get 3D letters made in lots of different f inishes, such as glitter -covered, metal

effect, or even planters to create floral letters.

Alternatively, you can also get these call igraphy stlyle name signs, which work well on

many different backgrounds, or if you have a larger budget then these marquee light

letters would make for a very dramatic dessert table backdrop.

BALLOONS

3D letters, whether glitter covered, metal, balloons, or call igraphy name signs, also

work well when combined with balloon backdrops—either as a solid wall or just corner

arrangements.

MORE BALLOON IDEAS

Other ways to use balloons include sticking them to a backdrop board in a grid shape

to give a more defined 'wall of balloons', as per the photo below left. This is a great

look for an adult birthday party and would also work well with just o ne color of balloon.

Alternatively, you can apply these adhesive vinyl letters to balloons to spell out

anything you like, see below center. Finally, if you want a t ight balloon wall f inish, as in

the photo below right, pick up some of these plastic grids, available here, which you

just insert regular balloons into before hanging on a wall / backdrop board.

DECORATIVE PAPER

Another easy way to create a dessert table backdrop is to simply cover the

freestanding backdrop board with contact paper or inexpensive peel & stick wallpaper.

This is a really cost effective option and there are lots of different f inishes available,

include various wood and brick effect, s trips and patterns, and photographic / scenic

views. I particularly l ike the picture frame design, below right, which would work really

well for a milestone birthday if you fi l led each frame with a photo of the birthday boy or

gir l from different stages of their l ife. Check out the full range here.

SUPPORT FRAME

These inexpensive photographic backdrop support frames are also a great option to

create lightweight dessert table backdrops and you can pick them up here quite

cheaply. The great thing about this support frames is that you can use it again and

again to create different backgrounds for buffet / dessert tables—or use it for photos at

your party! Just remember to blend the edges / legs by covering with balloons, tissue

poms, swags of fabric etc.

FABRIC STRIPS

Cut fabric into strips (or use r ibbon) and hang them from the support frame to create a

fabric backdrop for your dessert table. Avoid a hard candystrip effect by using several

different colors, or if only using two colors, as in the photo below center, don't

alternate the colors, instead hang them in an irregular order.

FABRIC CURTAINS

Alternatively, you can just hang fabric curtain sty le from a support frame. I particularly

l ike these glitter fabrics which work well for dessert tables—especially for adult

birthday parties. Remember that a l itt le glitter fabric goes a long way, so combine it

with a solid color tablecover to avoid it look ing tacky.

BEAD / PAPER CURTAINS

Acrylic bead curtains are an easy way to create an elegant backdrop for a dessert

table, or you can buy individual strands / beads on a roll and hang them yourself from

the support frame. Get them here.

Similarly, there are lots of paper f lower garlands, including these unusual ombre paper

circles which give a more layered look. Again, remember to think about the background

behind bead / paper f lowers. These look best against a solid color wall / fabric. If the

background behind is too busy, they will be hard to see and you'l l loose the overall

effect.

PHOTOGRAPHIC BACKDROPS

Photographic backdrops are a great way to create a more theatrical scene or add a

sense of depth to your dessert table. When choosing an image, remember that the

bottom third will probably be eclipsed by your dessert table so you need to choose one

where the important parts are in the top two thirds. For example, the dessert table

would probably only obscure some of the steps in the Cinderella -style image below left,

so this would work well. Whereas, in the graffit i image, below center, the bottom

'LOVE' would probably drop behind the dessert table. If you do find an image like this,

where some of the bottom would be obscured, check whether there is any spare space

at the top of the image that you could happily lose. If so, you could roll it up a l ittle at

the top to make the bottom part of the image more visible.

Another thing to make sure you check is the size. Some photobackdrops are quite

small, so they won't provide enough coverage to act as a backdrop for a dessert table.

Depending on the length of your table, you probably want something in the region of 8ft

x 8ft or larger. Also, these backdrops work best when you blend the hard edges with

fabric, props, or other decorations—so the image doesn't just stop at the sides—as in

the photo below right.

Check out a large range here, or some others (including the Cinderella image below

left).

STREAMERS

Another budget-fr iendly option is to use paper streamers to create a dessert table

backdrop. You can hang them or twist them, but personally I l ike the way they've

layered them at different heights in the image below center left. Alternatively, yo u can

do something similar with paper chains.

PAPER LANTERNS

Paper lanterns, when hung in a central cluster over a table, as in the photo below left,

make a very dramatic statement. If you hang them lower than normal, against a solid

color wall, you almost don't need a dessert table backdrop as they become the main

decorative feature. Alternatively, just combine them with a simple fabric or contact

paper backdrop, as in the example below right. Be sure to use either accordian style

paper lanterns (below right) or regular lanterns with free-style r ibbing inside, rather

than those with traditional parallel r ibbing. This will ensure they look decorative and

not functional. You can check them out right here.

To hang the lanterns, use these Command damage-free party ceil ing hooks. They

apply with an adhesive strips and remove easily without damage so are perfect for

hanging party decorations. You can also pop these inexpensive battery powered LED

lights inside the lanterns to give a lovely warm glowing effect (as in the example above

center). Check them out here.

Alternatively, you could arrange the lanterns in longer thin rows, running the length of

your dessert table, as per the photos below (which are hung with the Command party

ceil ing hooks, although I would recommend using some sort of invisible thread). Again,

I would suggest lett ing these hang down lower than normal and fil l ing the gap between

the bottom of the lanterns and the top of the dessert table foods with some sort of

signage/banner, such as the call igraphy name signs or glitter letters mentioned

previously. Arrange these components so there isn't too much empty space between

them—a bit l ike in the photo below right, if we assume the dessert table foods are just

a few inches below the Congrats banner. Snug, not windy.

FOOD STATION / BUFFET TABLE IDEAS

Ok so I've got to tell you...buffet tables are over. They're old fashioned, sloppy, and

bring to mind those nasty 'all you can eat' restaurant spreads where the food has been

sitt ing there all day. Nowadays, for event professionals, it 's all about creating food

stations.

Food stations sti l l enable you to feed large numbers, lay on a range of different

dishes—so there's something for everyone, and keep everything relaxed and informal

enough so as not to kill the party mood. The difference is that you get to wow guests

with the elegant and creative presentation that comes with plated dishes, and the food

station becomes a focal point in the room to center all your party decorations around.

With tradit ional buffet tables people tend to go a bit crazy and pile on the food, working

their way along the entire table and taking far more than they'l l actually eat, so you

always need to prepare such huge amounts—so much of which gets wasted. With food

stations, everything is geared towards offering small plates, DIY options, and 'bites'—

l ike a tasting menu—which can help keep costs down. What you find is that people pick

and try a few things, then go back to mingling (rather than shuffl ing off to a corner to

demolish a huge plate of food!), so it helps keeps the party atmosphere going.

The only downside is that you can't just plonk b ig bowls of food on a table— it requires

a l itt le more thought and effort. Often, you're sti l l serving the same types of food as

you would on a tradit ional buffet table, but you're just presenting them differently. Just

follow my simple food styling and presentation tips below and you'l l have everyone

thinking that your party has be professionally catered!

THE 80 / 20 RULE

When creating a food station at home, instead of a tradit ional buffet table, I would

suggest going for approx 80% cold food and 20% hot, to make it easier on yourself. For

the 20% hot food, I recommend setting up a DIY station so guest can assemble things

themselves. This could be a hot dog, burger, mac & cheese (below right), baked

potato, taco, burrito, or mash potato (below left) bar with a selection of toppings, or

something like a 'make your own grilled cheese' where you set up an electric panini

press or toaster for guests to do it themselves. These interactive food bars take the

pressure off the host while providing an experience for the guests.

FOOD PRESENTATION

For the 80% cold food, it's easy to make even simple party food—such as chicken

skewers, pasta, or salads— look amazing by serving items in individual portions. You

can stil l batch-make everything in advance, then just before guests arrive, spend a

litt le time dividing everything into small plates, bowls, and shooters.

When it comes to displaying the food, the reason most buffet tables / food stations at

professionally catered events look so stylish is because they abide by a few simple

rules; Groups, Rows, and Levels.

GROUPS

If you look closely at the photos below you'll notice that the menu is presented in

groups; that is, only one type of food per serving plate. It's a simple rule but it instantly

gives the buffet table / food station a clean, defined, well -ordered look.

ROWS

Then, on each serving plate, food is presented in individual containers or with

individual utensils, and arranged in rows. Not only does this give i t a modern,

professional look, it also helps with portion control as people are more likely to take

just one of each item.

LEVELS

Finally, make use of different levels. Buffet tables / food stations look terr ible if

everything lies f lat on the table, so make sure to add some height to your display with

a mixture of f lat plates, cake stands, and risers.

SHOOTER GLASSES

When it comes to presenting each food item, make use of a few different disposable

tasting party containers (check out the full range here). Shooter glasses (below left) in

particular are extremely versatile. Whereas you might ordinarily serve things like

chicken skewers piled up on a plate, by serving them in individual shooters with a l it t le

dipping sauce in the bottom, they instantly look more interesting. Similarly, instead of

big bowls of cold pasta salad, skewer a few store -bought cheese-stuffed tortell inis and

serve them in shooters with a l itt le pesto.

Of course, shooters are also perfect for mini desserts. Even the most simple mou sse

recipes and jello desserts look great served in individual portions, or if you have a bit

more time you can get creative with layered fruit cocktails and cheesecakes .

TASTING CUPS

These square plastic tasting cups, available in clear, white, or bl ack, are also perfect

for any number of snacks, salads, and dips. Check them out here.

You can also get more creative with salads, such as this chil led sesame salmon, rice,

and avocado salad (below left), or just use them for mousses, fruit cups, or even

individual cups of anti-pasti.

TASTING SPOONS

Another option is to serve bite size items on elegant serving spoons— these look great

when presented in rows. Check them out here.

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