Nothing strikes up the holiday spirit like a festively set table. A few touches – a whimsical centerpiece, handmade place cards, flickering lights – will go a long way toward creating a special evening.
Here are some ideas to try for your next celebration.
Cinnamon candles
Decorate pillar candles with cinnamon sticks for a warm, rustic look. For a centerpiece, make several candles of various heights.
You will need: pillar candles at least 3 inches in diameter, about 20 cinnamon sticks for each candle, floral shears, a hot-glue gun and dishes or coasters.
Measure the candle’s height, and cut cinnamon sticks to that size with floral shears. Using a low-temperature setting, run hot glue along a cinnamon stick, and affix it vertically to the side of the candle.
When the first stick is dry, glue the next stick snugly against it; repeat to cover the candle.
Place the finished candle on a dish or coaster.
Glittered animals
Create an enchanted forest by arranging greenery in the middle of the table and tucking in sparkly little creatures.
You will need: plastic animals (available at crafts and toy stores), a small paintbrush, white glue, powder glitter and a bowl.
Holding a toy animal by one leg, use a paintbrush to coat its head, body and other three legs with a thin, even layer of glue. Fill the bowl with glitter and spoon the glitter onto the animal. Gently shake off the excess into the bowl; let it dry.
Repeat the process on the last leg. Touch up bare spots by dabbing them with glue and spooning on more glitter.
Place-card holders
Bring snippets of your Christmas tree to the table with these easy-to-make place-card holders. You will need: floral shears, evergreen branches (about the thickness of a pencil), a hot-glue gun, card stock, a calligraphy or felt-tip pen and small evergreen sprigs.
Using the shears, cut the evergreen branches into 4-inch segments. Trim off any nubs. Holding together two segments of about the same thickness, adjust them to fit next to each other snugly. (This might require some twisting, turning and further trimming.)
Turn over the pair of branches; run a line of hot glue across the pair’s width, 1/4 inch from each end. Let dry.
Write a guest’s name on a 1-by-21/2-inch piece of card stock, and slip it into the holder. Tuck a small evergreen sprig into one end.
Ornamental centerpiece
Display shiny colorful ornaments under a garden cloche – a bell-shaped glass cover that functions as a miniature greenhouse for outdoor plants. (You can buy cloches at garden-supply stores.)
To fill the cloche, turn it upside down and balance it by putting its knob inside a cup. Place glass balls and other ornaments inside, filling it all the way; then invert a plate over the open end. Carefully turn the cloche and plate right side up.
Sweet seating
Bake up a delicious batch of place cards.
Make cookies, and pipe them with the name of each guest using royal icing. Choose a favorite cookie-cutter shape or one that suits your party’s theme. Set a cookie on each plate.
These treats not only let guests know where to sit but also serve as delicious favors. For royal icing and cookie recipes, search the Recipe Finder at www.martha stewart.com.
Questions should be addressed to Living, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 609 Greenwich St., 6th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10014-3610. Send e-mail to: living@nytimes.com.
2004 MSLO LLC
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