xcentric ideas 2011 issue 10 ideas 2011 issue 10.pdfxcentric ideas 25 october 2011 volume 6 —...

XCentric Ideas

25 October 2011 Volume 6 — Issue 10

byALMA PRETORIUS

[email protected] photo my own

Guests to be fed;

Table to set …

Now let me come closer and slap that hand in the air.

Repeat after me: I can set my table beautiful. I can set my table beautiful.

And if you ever, EVER EVER EVER, doubt yourself again, dig up this issue –look at these ideas and start to believe in yourself.

Because every single one,

and I mean every single one, of you - CAN set a table.

And what’s more, you’ll be so inspired by this issue, you’ll think of new ways and new ideas and you’ll never feel you have to compete with Mrs Jones

(hahaha) again.

Ever! I promise!

So, let the fun begin …….

Can I please see a show of hands –

those of you who firmly believe you’re not creative or artistic – who firmly believe you can not set

your table beautiful – ok, 1, 2, 3 - ………..

Cake stands: p15 – p17

Candles: p24 – p25

Craft and sewing drawer: p4 – p7

Gift place holder: p8

Leaves: p22

New uses for old things: p9 – p14

Pantry cupboard: p33 – p35

Place name ideas: p20 – p21

Pretty books: p18 – p19

Sea shells: p23

Vegetables and fruit galore: p26 – p31

Wine bottles: p32

Table set index

Look for inexpensive decorating materials, like red felt – cut into

rectangles - use as place mats and tie glasses with matching lengths of ribbon.

(www.realsimple.com)

Cut chalkboard paper into place mat–size pieces and give each guest some chalk.

Encourage them to write messages (especially if it’s a birthday party) and keep it in a

scrapbook.


Open your craft and sewing drawer …

Who says buttons are just for clothes? A pretty jar filled with odd buttons makes a

lovely centrepiece. Pick a button colour and add complementary serviettes or crockery.

(http://pinterest.com/pin/1089017/)

Any empty box will do – cover with pretty wrapping paper and ribbons and set the

mood.

(www.hostessblog.com)

Cut out placemats from pretty and unusual wrapping paper – or left-over wallpaper – throw away when done, or

laminate and keep in drawer.

(http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com)

Any slate tiles in the garage? Or for sale at the tile shop? Use as is for a cheese board or

attach handles – lovely as a gift too.

(www.tradekorea.com)

River stone tile sheets can easily be purchased at most home

improvement or tile stores and add a natural look to any place setting.

(http://picaparticularis.tumblr.com)

Tile mirrors are a lovely touch as ‘placemats’ to enhance a table

setting. (And to remove spinach from the teeth …)

(http://www.lowescreativeideas.com)

Make place cards that are favours too, like this one using an inexpensive seed

packet.(www.realsimple.com)

Surprise guests with small treats that act as both placeholders and favours. Small

bottles of spices and nuts were used here.


Little gift place holder

For a little French-bistro flair, turn a colorful dish towel into a shared place

mat. Or use pretty dish towels as napkins.


Dish out dips or condiments at a party. Dust off baby spoons for a presentation a

tad more elegant than the squeeze bottle.


New uses for old things

Enhance flavours—and your table setting—with a salt pinch pot made from

a shell.(www.realsimple.com)

When a plain napkin simply won’t do, break out the bangles and dress up a

place setting.(www.realsimple.com)

Serve chips, popcorn or cookies in coffee filters for consistent, portable (reasonably-sized!) portions.


Fill sturdy foil cupcake holders (and you can buy the most beautiful ones) with

mixed nuts, mints, hard candy and scatter them around a party.


Who said a teapot is just for tea? Can this table centrepiece be any more

striking in its simplicity??

(www.hostessblog.com)

Tweety has flown off – dust off the bird cage, add little candles and voila!

(http://mimsie.typepad.com)

Make a chic serving tray with a frame. Place a double of your favourite photo (so as not to ruin the original in case of condensation) under the glass and

set out the drinks.(www.realsimple.com)

Use pretzel sticks in place of wooden skewers to spear bite-size meatballs or mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes. The best part: You won't have to fish

discarded toothpicks out of your planters after the party.


Create an unexpected guest book by having everyone sign the surface of a flat stone with

a paint pen or permanent marker. Then display in a tall clear vase. Or mark the rocks

and use as place holders.


Different lengths of ribbon can transform an ordinary table cloth in a masterpiece. Keep in

place with hidden pins.


Create a candle centrepiece to light up your dinner table by using a cake stand as platform for votive and pillar candles

in assorted sizes. You can add little flower-heads in-between.


A modern harvest centrepiece for the Thanksgiving table – arrange small

pumpkins and autumn leaves or flowers on a 3 tier cake stand.

(www.shelterness.com)

Cake Stand Centrepiece

For your Easter table, decorate a tiered cake stand (or place 2 single cake stands

on top of each other) and fill egg cups with little flowers. (www.marthastewart.com)

Wrap and decorate small boxes and heap on a cake stand. If you want, have a

little box wrapped for each guest – they will be thrilled.

(http://inspirationcrazy.wordpress.com)

Fill your cake stand with citrus fruit and little blooms – child’s play!

(www.myhomeideas.com)

Perfect for a Xmas table – pine cones and greens with candles on a cake

stand. (http://asoftplace.net)

Pretty books …

Books are not just for reading – stack them, top them with a small candle

and your table is set. (http://tamrynkirby.blogspot.com)

Stack pretty books, tie with a lovely ribbon and decorate table with

matching napkins. (http://2000dollarwedding.com)

Having a tea party and no cake stand to display your cupcakes?

Grab a few books, some doilies (or serviettes) and let your guests oooh

and aaah!(http://offbeatbride.com)

Tie a lovely ribbon around roses or other flowers and stack on top of

pretty books. (http://capitalregiondiningblog.blogspot.com)

Place name ideas …

Flatten the one side of corks, cut a slit in the top and add a name card.

(www.dailyolive.com)

Every single household has some ‘mystery’ keys lying around – tie a pretty ribbon and name tag onto it.

(http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com)

A single flower with name tag under an upturned wine glass – simply

effective. (www.wedding-flowers-idea.info)

Any fruit with a toothpick and name tag will help you with your seating –

zesty limes are used here. (www.realsimple.com)

A few glass bottles with single leaves in it forms a lovely

centrepiece.

(www.marthastewart.com)

Pots with fresh herbs and scissors – each guest can season his own

food.

(http://weddingdish.thinklikeabride.com)

Using leaves …

Sea shells

Dust off your holiday souvenirs and fill a tall vase with it.

(http://extreme-wedding.blogspot.com)

A piece of driftwood, candles, shells and flowers form an impressive centrepiece.

(www.theweddingdecorator.com)

Place an inexpensive full-length mirror (the kind you attach to a closet door)

atop the dining-room table. Set candles of various heights on the mirror. It's an

easy and elegant way to adorn your table.


Candles

Fill a beautiful wooden bowl with dried beans or coffee beans and add stocky

candles. (www.marthastewart.com)

A new muffin pan filled with short candles, XMas baubles or flowers can be

very effective. (www.realsimple.com)

Candles on a cake tray, adorned with pretty fresh daisies – perfect for a dinner

party. (www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com)

Vegetables and fruit galore!

Group bunches of tiny vegetables together in pretty tins – perfect for

guests to nibble on with a yummy dip. (www.marthastewart.com)

A pretty white dish filled with cumquats, peppers and pumpkins with autumn

leaves scattered on the table – perfect! (www.marthastewart.com)

Fill bowls with fresh pears and nuts –scatter leaves and small pumpkins on the

table. (www.marthastewart.com)

A row of fresh pumpkins form your dinner table centrepiece. Use pumpkins

of the same size and colour – or not. (www.marthastewart.com)

Flip containers (here, acrylic boxes and lids) upside down and arrange fruit on

top to create a multi-tiered design.


Small boxes filled with fresh tomatoes of different colours – effective and striking.

(http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com)

How easy is this … Naartjie, oranges or lemons alternated with small

candles.

(www.thekitchn.com)

A row of striking red cabbages, complimented with napkins will

dazzle your guests.

(Food & Home Magazine, Dec 2006)

Hollow out a fresh artichoke, fill with a small candle –wrap fresh green beans

and/or asparagus around candles and tie with ribbon.

(www.bridalwave.tv)

A square vase filled with lemons and a single flower is

all you need.

(http://tigerlilysbook.blogspot.com)

Miniature limes and sliced fresh limes on white plates –

no words needed.

(www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com)

Fill a gorgeous platter with citrus fruit as your centrepiece and egg

cups as name seating.

(http://alli411.blogspot.com)

Glass vases filled with cherry tomatoes and kernel corn, adorned

with roses are perfect for a centrepiece.

(http://theplanningdiva.blogspot.com)

Wine bottles

A pretty flower in an empty beer bottle will make you the envy of

the day.

(http://boards.weddingbee.com)

Empty wine bottles with candles standing salute on your table.

(www.elizabethannedesigns.com)

Pantry cupboard

It’s your table, your party – who says you can’t have a jar with

spilled dried soup mix as a centrepiece?

(Picture origin unknown)

Fill a glass jar or vase with either dried beans or coffee beans and

arrange lovely flowers on the top.

(www.weddinggirl.ca)

Jelly beans in a glass vase with spring flowers.

(http://cookingupastorminca.ning.com)

Dried beans in tall vases with a single flower – add matching

napkins.

(http://rhondapattonweddings.typepad.com)

Second-hand shops always have old tea caddies – fill them with

flowers or fresh herbs.

(www.marthastewart.com)

Don’t recycle your old food cans –use them as pretty vases for your

party.

(http://somethinggreenevents.blogspot.com)

xcentric ideas 2011 issue 10 ideas 2011 issue 10.pdfxcentric ideas 25 october 2011 volume 6 —...

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