Does your table look like this when you sit down to eat a meal?
Do you even have a table?
In my college apartment, my two roommates and I had a small kitchenette table with four chairs that I think we sat at about three times in two years, opting instead to eat on the stools that surrounded our counter.
In my first apartment out of college, we didn’t even own anything that remotely resembled a kitchen table and when I moved to my second apartment, I took with me a kitchen table that I inherited from my parents’ basement.
That table traveled (albeit not so well) to Chicago, where it now doubles as my desk from 9-5.
Think: stacks of cookbooks, bills, notebooks full of plans and outlines. It’s not exactly fit for ladies who lunch.
Even though I don’t have a grandiose kitchen table fit for lavish dinner parties I still like to entertain.
I like to have friends over to eat too many finger foods, drink too much wine, laugh too loud and stay out too late.
Although paper plates have certainly made the occasional appearance in my kitchen, it’s still possible to pull off a a tapas night, wine and cheese party – or even a sit down dinner – when your cabinets contain little more than some Target dinner plates.
Mix it Up
If you’re hosting a party for 10 people but your kitchen cabinet only contains a set of four dinner plates, invite a few close friends to bring some dishes. Sure, they won’t match, but that will only add to the eclectic, casual decor for your party.
Ditch the White Tablecloth
Linens are a great thing to own for a special occasion (see: your in-laws are coming to dinner and you want to impress them) but if you have a small table or are dining around your coffee table, a roll of brown craft paper is a perfect backdrop for your food that will protect your table.
Bonus: the easy clean-up.
Use Jars
Canning is all the rage right now but a canning jar is even more versatile. It can act as a small vase for flowers, a vessel for holding silverware or even as pedestals to place plates to create a layered look and make more space on your table.
Plates that Pop
Colorful dishware can be fun but if you want your food to stand out (and why wouldn’t you?) serve it on white plates. Food looks the best when plated on a neutral background and you can find white plates in all shapes and sizes for different types of parties. I like to use big round plates with rectangular serving dishes – just to keep things interesting.
Giveaway
To help you throw your next dinner party with ease (especially if your apartment has a dishwasher), I’m giving away one (1) Oneida Thatch White 16-piece dinnerware set (pictured above, ARV: $160) – which includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four mugs and four bowls, all dishwasher & microwave safe.
The Rules:
- Leave a comment here that answers the following questions: what is your favorite way decorate for a party?
- Anonymous comments: leave your email address in the comment field so I can reach you.
- This contest will close on Sunday, July 17 at 11:59PM CST and one winner, chosen via random.org, will be announced by Monday, July 18. I will notify you via email and you will have 72 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.
- Contest open to US & Canada Residents only.
For Additional Entries:
- Follow me on Twitter and re-tweet the following message: Win a set of dinnerware from Oneida for your next party from @mariscallahan on In Good Taste. Don’t forget to enter! http://bit.ly/oddEla
- Become a fan of In Good Taste on Facebook.
- Suggest that your friends become a fan of In Good Taste on Facebook.
- Please leave one comment for each entry.
Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Oneida. I was not provided with complimentary product or compensation of any kind. The words and opinions expressed here are my own.
143 Comments
Courtney
July 17, 2011 at 11:00 amI love decorating by theme. I usually have a goal set in mind before a party. (Food ie( Italian, Asian), Movie theme, Game night) My husband likes to do the music as well 🙂
Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
July 17, 2011 at 10:59 amI really like the idea of brown craft paper as a tablecloth. I like to wrap gifts in brown paper, but I’ve never thought of using it as a tablecloth.
My favorite way to decorate for a party is to use clear shot glasses as place settings. Depending on the occasion of the party, I’ll fill them with sand and shells, water and a candle, or mini fresh flowers.
Elizabeth
July 16, 2011 at 11:52 amI love decorating with a casual and relaxed feel. A handmade touch, like personalized place cards is always nice.
Lenore
July 15, 2011 at 9:09 pmI follow you on twitter (@orlndofoodie) and just tweeted your message 🙂
Lenore
July 15, 2011 at 9:08 pmI try to just let my food be the “decorations”…I’m always too rushed at the last minute when having people over to do too much planning. That said, I use my plating/food choices to convey the theme best I can. I do LOVE the idea of brown craft paper instead of a table cloth, though! 🙂
Suziee
July 15, 2011 at 4:44 pmI love switching out tablecloths, napkins and place mats to mix and match. Add some fresh cut flowers in the little square stubby vases and I’m good to go.
Thanks!
The Slow Roasted Italian
July 15, 2011 at 1:57 pmTweeted about your giveaway.
The Slow Roasted Italian
July 15, 2011 at 1:54 pmI like you on Facebook.
The Slow Roasted Italian
July 15, 2011 at 1:53 pmI love to decorate for a party with themes, but I have a lot more occasion parties than I do everyday dinner parties.
I love elegant casual, beautifully set table with fancy dishware, napkins and flowers.
I would love love love to have this dish set!!!
sweetlife
July 15, 2011 at 1:20 pmlove your story and that your treasue is now your desk..i love throwing dinner parites and have often used canning jars and even wrapping paper as a tablecloth for a kids party!!
love the tips
Dana
July 15, 2011 at 10:50 amI’m a fan of In Good Taste of Facebook!
Dana
July 15, 2011 at 10:49 amI tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/danacooks/status/91896706635022336
Dana
July 15, 2011 at 10:47 amWow, great post and great giveaway! My favorite way to decorate for a party is to get some fun tablecloths and paper plates from Party City, but having these would be way better!
naomi
July 15, 2011 at 9:26 ammy favorite way to decorate a party is to use baby pictures or pictures known has since seen for napkin holders or for name tags. it starts the dinner party off with alot of conversations
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
July 15, 2011 at 8:56 amFun post and giveaway! I love using jars to decorate, so homey looking.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
July 15, 2011 at 8:17 amI loved to have my mom over and use the china and silver that she got for her wedding and passed on to me. I don’t use it often enough.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
July 15, 2011 at 7:46 amHmm, my favorite way to decorate for a party. Probably would have to be the place settings. I love doing color-coordinated placemats and napkin rings and the like, plus little name cards to match the theme of whatever party I’m having (my favorite: tombstone-shaped name cards for the Halloween party my girlfriends and I threw this past fall!).
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
July 15, 2011 at 7:44 amAlready your fan on FB!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
July 15, 2011 at 7:43 amI just tweeted the contest (and I follow you, of course!). 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious
July 15, 2011 at 7:27 amOkay, how exactly do I say this? Let see, YOUR AWESOME! Your tips, your ideas, your giveaways, your food. It is all amazing including your breathtaking photos. Am I sucking up enough yet? I just really want to win the giveaway! LOL!
Seriously, love the commandments and the giveaway. I follow you on twitter and I am a fan of yours on fb. My favorite way to decorate is outside with tea candles and simple natural flowers
Joanne
July 15, 2011 at 7:05 amMy kitchen is exactly like you described – tiny table that we rarely use. Sigh.
i really love themed parties because they give you an excuse to go all-out with decorations! Last party we had was a mexican fiesta and there are still streamers hanging from out ceiling!
Cristina
July 15, 2011 at 6:43 amThis has got to be one of the best giveaways! How fun and what a treat. 😉
Luv the tip about using canning jars. They are so versatile, welcoming and so darn cute!
Rosa
July 15, 2011 at 4:02 amGreat giveaway. A pity it is only open to US and Canada residents…
Great tips! I only use a tablecloth for props… ;-P
Cheers,
Rosa
sharonjo
July 14, 2011 at 11:55 pmI follow In Good Taste on facebook.
(Sharon O.)
sharonjo
July 14, 2011 at 11:52 pmI just started following you on twitter (@sharonjo2)
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/sharonjo2/status/91731770994720770
sharonjo
July 14, 2011 at 11:49 pmI think a beautifully set table is about all the decoration you need for a party, along with a nice centerpiece like fresh flowers. Candles can be nice, but unscented only for a dinner party.
Heidi @ Food Doodles
July 14, 2011 at 11:08 pmGreat giveaway! I love decorating seasonally, so flowers in the spring and summer etc. Especially when the food is local too it kind of sets the mood 🙂
Angela
July 14, 2011 at 10:49 pmFresh flowers – but I also like a big bowl of fruit. Something natural.
Tara
July 14, 2011 at 9:40 pmI like to decorate with funky centerpieces. My mom and I get really creative and do all kinds of homemade ones!
Anne @ Baking Me
July 14, 2011 at 9:21 pmI am a fan on Facebook 🙂
Raquel @ Erecipe
July 14, 2011 at 8:42 pmwhenever I throw parties with my friends my favorite flowers with candles on the table.
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie
July 14, 2011 at 7:20 pmWe need new plates SO badly. My favorite way to decorate for a party is to use food as centerpieces!
Roz
July 14, 2011 at 4:13 pmHi Maris, I LOVE decorating tables, even if it’s just my husband and I eating. I regularly scour thrift stores and have all kinds of table clothes and napkins in different colors and try to have some little decoration that fits with the food or the theme (for a party). And even if there are only 4 of us for dinner, I make little name plates. Just for fun…
Have a great day!
The Food Hunter
July 14, 2011 at 2:53 pmI love to decorate with candles and fancy serving plates.
Laurie @SimplyScratch
July 14, 2011 at 1:56 pmCongrats on the Jamie Oliver Blog of the Month! You totally deserve it! 🙂
Anne-Marie T
July 14, 2011 at 1:13 pmShared with my FB friends
http://www.facebook.com/annemarie.tvete/posts/223627531009136
Anne-Marie T
July 14, 2011 at 1:11 pmI am a fan of In Good Taste on Facebook. (Anne-Marie Tvete)
Anne-Marie T
July 14, 2011 at 1:10 pmFollowing you on Twitter (amt946) and tweeted
http://twitter.com/amt946/status/91570020374687744
Anne-Marie T
July 14, 2011 at 1:07 pmI usually keep the decorating very simple, with just a center piece on the table.
Alana D
July 14, 2011 at 12:56 pmMy favorite way to decorate for a party…hmm it really depends on the party,but for the most part I like to keep it simple memorable.I don’t like to have so much silverware & utensils where ppl are asking “hey whats this do?”/”whats this for”. I like when the party is festive & colorful but not overdone.
spcookiequeen
July 14, 2011 at 12:19 pmHi Maris,
Pretty dishes, I just put out a pretty platter and filled it with finds from our local orchards. Are you on FB, i’ll post it there for you.
-Gina-
Caroline
July 14, 2011 at 11:26 amMy table rarely looks that gorgeous when I sit down for dinner. Only when I’m hosting a dinner party or back home at my parent’s house, well, or when I want to make the effort. Ha! Love this dinnerware set!
Nicole
July 14, 2011 at 11:24 amAlthough it isn’t technically a “decoration” I love making new playlists for a party or get together. There’s nothing better to set the mood than great music (and great food)
Jessica
July 14, 2011 at 11:05 amI love to decorate with COLOR. I think these dishes would be amazing to pair with colors that can change with the seasons.
~Jessica
jlmumford@live.com
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen
July 14, 2011 at 11:02 amI love to throw themed parties and use cute dishes, napkins, and decorations.
chutneyandspice
July 14, 2011 at 10:54 amI can’t enter as I am in the UK – but my favourite way to decorate a party is with friends! The table always looks so pretty before they arrive, but then when they arrive I forget the table and focus on how lucky I am to have lovely people in my life. The tableware looks gorgeous by the way.
Lauren@LittleYellowKitchen
July 14, 2011 at 10:52 amChrissy and I have the saaaame problem. 1 year out of school and we eat sitting on the ground at our coffee table every night. Eek! Someday we will eat like normal people… at a table, with dinnerware. I like fun napkins to make a dinner party more exciting though!
Nikki Redding
July 14, 2011 at 10:48 amI haven’t thrown many parties where I needed to decorate. However, I would like to make table scapes like Sandara Lee 🙂
Megan Sterner
July 14, 2011 at 10:25 amI love decorating with cute dishes and placemats and napkins.
Jennifer B
July 14, 2011 at 10:24 amMy favorite way to decorate for a party sounds weird, but it’s true. It’s to CLEAN! Nothing beats a clean and organized home! Once that is out of the way, then let your mind go crazy with actual decorating ideas!
Brenda
July 14, 2011 at 9:52 amI love to decorate using candles and canning jars for example at Christmas I used epsom salts and cranberries with tea candles in the jars
peachkins
July 14, 2011 at 9:41 amOh my gosh, what a great giveaway and just what I need. But I’m not eligible cause I don’t live in the US..
Anyway, My favorite way to decorate a party is by using quirky and fun serving plates and cooking cute dishes!
Greg
July 14, 2011 at 9:18 amGreat post, but it makes me think of Princess Bride. I am not left handed. I always stick my napkin on the right. My favorite way to decorate for a party is to agree with every suggestion my wife has so that I can just continue cooking. Also, tablecloths are good. I refinished our dining room table.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
July 14, 2011 at 9:06 amI’m following you as 365 Days of Baking.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
July 14, 2011 at 9:01 amI like using white Christmas lights in my backyard and kitchen. It really creates a warm, comfy atmosphere and my guests love it.
I really like your idea of using the brown craft paper as a tablecloth. Next time I’ll have to do that and put out crayons or markers to see how creative my guests get.
Aparna E.
July 14, 2011 at 8:50 amI’m fan on FB 🙂
Aparna E.
July 14, 2011 at 8:49 amTweet tweet 😉
http://twitter.com/#!/notaleaf/statuses/91504596475846657
Aparna E.
July 14, 2011 at 8:48 amI don’t entertain a ton, but I like to make things rustic and simple: add some height on one end of the table, or put a bunch of candles down the center to create an intimate feel. Use wine bottles as decor or herbs in jars as decor. The point is to have fun 🙂 Great giveaway!
Casey
July 14, 2011 at 8:46 amFresh flowers and good background music are my favorite ways to have a fun night of entertaining friends!
rebecca
July 14, 2011 at 8:15 amneed to decorate table more,
Lori Reisig
July 14, 2011 at 7:31 amI posted the give away on facebook too!! twice, accidentally!
Lori Reisig
July 14, 2011 at 7:30 amI “like” you on facebook!
Lori Reisig
July 14, 2011 at 7:08 amI tweeted! I love these dishes!!! thank you!
Lori Reisig
July 14, 2011 at 7:05 amI am following you on twitter!
Lori Reisig
July 14, 2011 at 7:05 amI have a small dining area and lots of kids, so I try to keep things simple and minimal. I add color and theme changing the table cloth often. I like it to match the season or holiday. I also love a candle on the table.
I am nearly 50 years old and have never had a matching set of dishes. It would mean so much to win this beautiful collection. Thank you for offering it!!!
Angie@Angiesrecipes
July 14, 2011 at 6:49 amClean and elegant dinnerware ;-))
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
July 14, 2011 at 6:41 amAnd I now “like” you on Facebook!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
July 14, 2011 at 6:40 amI tweeted the giveaway, too!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
July 14, 2011 at 6:40 amI follow you on Twitter!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
July 14, 2011 at 6:40 amMy favorite way to decorate for a party is to use a variety of pottery, so each person has different bowls and plates, but they all look similar in that they’re pretty earthy, natural, and they’ve been handmade. It’s an awesome conversation starter! 🙂
Barbara
July 14, 2011 at 6:25 amI’m smiling ’cause I live alone and my table NEVER looks like that! 🙂
But when company comes, I wander the house, pulling antiques and whatever to make the tabletop more interesting. Placemats always.
Blond Duck
July 14, 2011 at 6:13 amI love using canning jars!
Nichole
July 14, 2011 at 6:10 amWith food, music, wine and the laughter of friends the rest just really isn’t that important. =) We like to keep it simple and causal around here but I would have to say that candles and lighting are the easiest way to set or change a mood. Even outside on the patio tea lights sitting inside of old canning jars make for a great show after the sun sets.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
July 14, 2011 at 2:49 amGreat tips Maris! I love using jars, they’re so rustic and gorgeous 😀
yummychunklet
July 14, 2011 at 1:27 amIf it’s not a party around a holiday, I love using decorations and dinnerware that contrast against the food I’m serving. Just to mix it up.
sheila @ Elements
July 13, 2011 at 11:50 pmWe live in such a small apartment that we don’t have a dining room table. We do have a bar though so we could eat there; however, my DIY studio box where I do most of my food photography is right in front of the bar. So we eat at our desks. It works out fine, and if we have guests over, we eat at the bar. It’s pretty cramped, but that’s just how it is.
Love your idea about using jars, by the way! 🙂
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
July 13, 2011 at 11:36 pmFresh flowers, simple place settings and good food! I love your entertaining tips. 🙂
Baking Serendipity
July 13, 2011 at 11:29 pmFresh flowers and a candle burning near the entrance to the house are two of my entertaining habits. I love your tips here!
Kay
July 13, 2011 at 11:21 pmI love to have little personalized items for dinners for each of my guests – last time the guest of honor got a mini champagne bottle with a ribbon on it :o)
Elle @ We can begin to feed...
July 13, 2011 at 10:06 pmJust found your lovely blog!
I love to decorated with fresh flowers and candles… and often like to use a theme.
When we have parties on the boat, it is usually something nautical…. tropical island, pirates, etc.
Emily
July 13, 2011 at 9:24 pmi like a simple vase of flowers or a pretty centerpiece. mostly i like to decorate with good friends and laughter.
Kristin
July 13, 2011 at 9:13 pmI love to decorate to match the theme of the party. A fondue party isn’t complete without 70’s decorations/music, a vegetarian meal comes with displayable fruits and vegetables and Wine and Cheese night is always paired with regional decorations from the area the or cheese comes from.
Ali Grace
July 13, 2011 at 8:45 pmLiked you on facebook!
Ali Grace
July 13, 2011 at 8:45 pmRetweeted your giveaway!
Leanne
July 13, 2011 at 8:44 pmI like to put brightly colored piece of fabric on a small table to add a pop of color to a party. My current favorite is a fuschia scarf I picked up in Mexico.
Ali Grace
July 13, 2011 at 8:44 pmI love fresh flowers on a table. They’re my favorite thing! I like to keep things simple and not too perfect. Pretty plates, cloth napkins… but not too matchy. Just easy, comfortable, and ready to have a good time!
Lisa at Dishes of Mrs. Fish
July 13, 2011 at 8:42 pmI actually used canning jars to decorate for my reception! We had a very limited budget and I used smaller canning jars and filled them with gerbera daises and LOVED the way they looked!
lisa keys
July 13, 2011 at 8:09 pmFresh flowers and the good china–it does no good just looking pretty in the china cabinet-right?….and who cares if it gets chipped or broken
Simply Life
July 13, 2011 at 8:03 pmFun giveaway! I like to “decorate” but using lamps and candles for lighting and fresh flowers!
katelin
July 13, 2011 at 7:40 pmoh man what a fabulous giveaway. i love hosting parties and my favorite way to decorate is with twinkle lights and lighting a lot of candles and using cloth napkins to jazz the place up a bit. love it.
lynn @ the actor's diet
July 13, 2011 at 7:34 pmi feel like no party is complete without flowers!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
July 13, 2011 at 7:13 pmFB fan
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
July 13, 2011 at 7:12 pmwhat is your favorite way decorate for a party? = make lots of desserts and decorate my table with them!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
July 13, 2011 at 6:58 pmLove all the tips that you shared in this post on setting a table..So useful!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
July 13, 2011 at 6:24 pmI didn’t mean to hit submit so you can delete the one above if you need to. I love this post. The dishes are awesome. My favorite decorating tip is “keep it simple”. Those dishes would go great with that theme. I tweeted and am following you all over town (just kidding). I also sent you an email the other day -am not sure if you received it.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
July 13, 2011 at 6:20 pmsuper fun post! Great tips!
mzt1
July 13, 2011 at 6:14 pmI just tweeted about the giveaway 🙂
Lisa from Lisas Yarns
July 13, 2011 at 5:14 pmFor me, it’s all about flowers! I am not good at decorating, but I love me some fresh flowers!
I have recently purchased some Fiestaware (with the help of Mandy of Knowing the Difference) so I finally have a table that I am proud of when I have others over for dinner. And I have gotten better at eating at the table instead of on my couch lately!
I’d love to come to a dinner party at your place because what you described sounds like my ideal night! I am so excited to be in a larger place in a central location as I will def host more dinner parties. Heck, I hosted a couple for dinner the weekend i moved in, so that is a sign of what is to come I think. 🙂
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
July 13, 2011 at 4:55 pmhmm for me it’s all about the food presentation and i always have flowers!!! 😀
sarah
July 13, 2011 at 4:52 pmI’m now a FB fan.
sarah
July 13, 2011 at 4:52 pmMy favorite way to decorate for a party is using what I already have, or finding old pieces at thrift stores. I’m a big fan of the canning jar thing you mentioned. I love drinking wine out of small jam jars. I like using paper to decorate with too – paper lanterns, pretty paper in mason jars, tissue paper pom poms.
I like your craft paper idea. I think for one of the kids birthdays I’ll try that and decorate the table with jars of crayons and markers.
Sarah @ pão e queijo
July 13, 2011 at 4:13 pmI am a fan of In Good Taste on FB.
Sarah @ pão e queijo
July 13, 2011 at 4:13 pmI’m pretty casual about entertaining- what’s most important are good friends, good food and good conversation. I love pretty serving dishes and usually let guests help themselves, or do it buffet style. Beautiful dinnerware set!
kankana
July 13, 2011 at 3:50 pmtweet about this giveaway and now I really really hope I win .. fingers crossed ! 🙂
kankana
July 13, 2011 at 3:49 pmfollowing u in twitter
kankana
July 13, 2011 at 3:49 pmfollowing u in FB
kankana
July 13, 2011 at 3:49 pmMy fav way to decorate a party is with a flower center piece .. candles around .. and casual ambiance.
juju
July 13, 2011 at 3:38 pmI like to keep my table simple. I don’t have much dinneware and my one set that is all white helps with my simple and clean look.
Kitten with a Whisk
July 13, 2011 at 3:35 pmI love using lights for setting the mood. And I also choose a color to create a general theme.
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 13, 2011 at 3:31 pmI’m already your fan on Facebook!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 13, 2011 at 3:31 pmJust tweeted and I’m already your follower.
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 13, 2011 at 3:29 pmWhat a helpful post! I wish my table is like that… Okay here we go. I’m going to win this! My favorite method: 1) decorate with colorful flower (use theme color) – I separated into several small vases and place them on the table and elsewhere (even bathroom). 2) I decorate table with some food theme object…Japanese then I put natural rocks and origami crane etc.
Mary
July 13, 2011 at 3:17 pmMy table, even when set forguests is very S spartan. I have love pure white china and the color on my table when I choose to vary from all white comes with flowers and napkins. The setting you photographed looks wonderful. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Kelly
July 13, 2011 at 2:59 pmFavorite way to decorate? I like to get crafty. I know how to sew and inhereted a lot of vintage fabrics from my grandma so I like to use them in various ways like making strips to group together little bundles of silverware.
I’m yearning for a proper dining room table. I’m just waiting to finally own a place for it to become a reality. ::Fingers crossed::
Art Rodriguez
July 13, 2011 at 2:50 pmI stopped hassling with “table-scapes” since my dining room is not terribly close to the big wide open kitchen; my guests & I develop separation anxiety. Plus, it’s no fun to cook alone in a big kitchen. My small dinner parties happen in the kitchen. Obviously it’s not as big a space so I have to worry about keeping my kitchen island & bar clutter free so my guests can spread out for more intimate gatherings. I always have fresh flowers and unscented candles sprinkled throughout the area. I do use old canning jars to hold the silverware & rolled napkins. There might be a small wicker basket for fresh bread or rolls. Plates are usually handed out as I serve each guest. I fuss with little else. It’s often cramped at the kitchen island, but I’ve had many great meals and conversation sitting cheek to cheek with my close friends.
For larger holiday parties I use the dining room. I stick with solid festive colors and avoid most holiday patterns. This way I can switch out the colors for different holidays: Cinco de Mayo & Christmas = red, white & green, Valentine’s Day = red, white from previous set up, St. Patrick’s = green & white, etc. I try to mix it up by adding new & different shades, but for the most part it’s an easy system. It’s always an easy set up and I can focus on my cooking and my guests.
sharon
July 13, 2011 at 2:46 pmfav way to decorate is with flowers and pretty placemats..
natalie (the sweets life)
July 13, 2011 at 2:31 pmgreat tips in your post! my favorite decorating tip is probably fresh flowers! can’t go wrong!
bellini
July 13, 2011 at 2:31 pmI love to have a centerpiece of seasonal fruits and veggies as a centerpiece, whatever is in season., or perhaps a big bright bowl of lemons or oranges.
mommydoll13
July 13, 2011 at 2:24 pmfollow you on twitter
@mommyluck13
sha t
dollhousecreation(at)gmail(dot)com and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/mommyluck13/status/91226410525536256
mommydoll13
July 13, 2011 at 2:22 pmlots of balloons and flowers.
and tons of food as i think that is part of the decor too..
dollhousecreation(at)gmail(dot)com
Nelly Rodriguez
July 13, 2011 at 2:17 pmI shared on FB 🙂
Nelly Rodriguez
July 13, 2011 at 2:16 pmI like you on FB
Nelly Rodriguez
July 13, 2011 at 2:15 pmI tweeted and follow you!
Nelly Rodriguez
July 13, 2011 at 2:13 pmFavorite way to decorate? Simple but homey, love using jars like you said; candles always are nice as well, and a like having a little beverage table to the side if I can (since I’ve never had a built in bar at home!)
Kristin
July 13, 2011 at 2:09 pmI also now follow In Good Taste on Facebook!
Kristin
July 13, 2011 at 2:08 pmFollowing you on Twitter! (And Tweeted about the giveaway, of course!)
Kristin
July 13, 2011 at 2:07 pmMy favorite way to decorate for a party is with a bright tablecloth! It’s easy and festive!
Megan'sCookin'
July 13, 2011 at 1:54 pmI’m a fan on Facebook too.
Megan'sCookin'
July 13, 2011 at 1:52 pmI follow you on Twitter and I tweeted.
megan carroll
July 13, 2011 at 1:51 pmthat dinnerware looks simply fabulous…. we have always lived in small dim places, so clusters of candles are a favourite of mine…. lit or unlit.
Stephen Chavez
July 13, 2011 at 1:48 pmMy favorite way to decorate my dinner table is to bring the theme of the cuisine being served into elements of the decor. For example, if I am making Mexican food, I will have a runner with a colorful serape (blanket), chili peppers and even vases filled with dry pinto beans with gorgeous flowers.
Stephanie
July 13, 2011 at 1:46 pmI love using candle light for any occasion. Simple tea lights can add a warm effect to any dinner and also give the table and environment a more intimate feel. Dressing up or surrounding walls with tiny color lights or using ceiling candle holders can be festive or welcoming as well.
Susan Ayers
July 13, 2011 at 1:44 pmI also shared this on FB
Megan'sCookin'
July 13, 2011 at 1:43 pmI usually decorate following some sort of theme. Beach theme, Wine theme, or holiday theme are a few such occasions. Great tips and beautiful dishes!
Susan Ayers
July 13, 2011 at 1:43 pmI tweeted this:
http://twitter.com/#!/suegirls/status/91216026414493696
Erica
July 13, 2011 at 1:42 pmwhoop! I’m having people over tonight- so this was helpful for me 🙂 I love mismatched dinnerware! I think it makes a table a lot more fun. This set would be PERFECT to easily add in for a matched but mismatched look.
what is your favorite way decorate for a party?
I like to mix black and white with color. I also mix shapes and sizes of dinnerware! Josh likes everything to match so I think it may drive him a little nutso 😉
Susan Ayers
July 13, 2011 at 1:42 pmI liked In Good Taste on FB… that’s how I found out about the giveaway..
Susan Ayers
July 13, 2011 at 1:41 pmI love decorating with light colors and natural lighting…
Amanda
July 13, 2011 at 1:41 pmI’m a Facebook fan!
Amanda
July 13, 2011 at 1:40 pmI follow you and tweeted this!
Olga @ mangotomato
July 13, 2011 at 1:40 pmI already follow you on twitter
Amanda
July 13, 2011 at 1:40 pmI love themed parties – the food, decor, music etc setting a feeling. Makes for great conversation too!!
Olga @ mangotomato
July 13, 2011 at 1:39 pmI love decorating with flowers. And mixing and matching dishes from different sets in different colors.
Actually, I don’t have a single matching set: just 2 or 4 different dishes I use for my food photography 😉
So I really could use this pretty set!! {hint, hint, choose me!}