Party hats can double as place cards.
Whether you are throwing a formal dinner or a simple family meal, creative table settings can add character and personality to your party. A table setting can set the tone of an event, provide entertainment for guests, and complete the decor scheme of a room or a hall. Does this Spark an idea?
Chinese Lanterns
For an unexpected take on a traditional flower centerpiece, start with paper Chinese lanterns. Look for lanterns in varying sizes that have brightly colored bases or that are printed with patterns. Fill the lanterns with bold tissue paper flowers or silk flowers, making sure they overflow from the sides; scatter a few loose flowers across the table or place on each plate. Complete the look with bamboo place mats, bold napkins and paper umbrellas in each guest's drink.
Party Hat Place Cards
If you are throwing a dinner for a New Year's Eve party or a birthday, make place card holders out of birthday hats. Find full-size party hats or make your own, and add a name tag for each guest that can be removed and worn or set aside. If you are artistic, you might paint each hat with the guest's name. Place the hats on the salad plate at each place setting; guests can wear the hats during the party for a festive atmosphere.
Chalkboard Place Mats
When you are holding a dinner where children will be present, or if your guests are fun loving and relaxed, use chalkboard place mats. Buy small reusable chalkboards or make your own by painting thin pieces of wood with chalkboard paint. Complete each place setting by putting small pieces of chalk at each place. To minimize the effect of chalk dust, use light-colored napkins that will be easy to clean.
Fruity Settings
For an inexpensive table setting option that will brighten up a dinner party, use fruit. Use long toothpicks attached to your place card, and push the other end into a lime or a lemon; set one on each plate for a bright, fun touch. Add color to the table by filling clear vases with brightly colored fruits; cherries, limes, lemons, oranges or apples all work well and will hold up under use. Tie small plastic fruit to the ends of ribbons as a napkin ring, and encourage guests to take them home at the end of the party.
Matching Pieces
If you want to create a unique, matching table setting, use simple craft paint to make a matching china and centerpiece set. For centerpieces, use aluminum cans painted in stripes or a simple, bright pattern; find inexpensive china and paint a similar pattern around the edges. For chargers and place mats, use simple cork board pieces painted in different patterns using the same colors. The effect of the contrasting patterns will be visually striking, and the colors will unify the table setting for a cohesive look.
Tags: each place, place mats, table setting, brightly colored, each guest, each place setting