When it comes to having the family over for holiday dinner, sometimes planning the menu is the easy part.
Whether you're hosting four or 14 people for a seasonal meal, Us Weekly has you covered, thanks to entertaining guru Mark Addison. Here, Addison shares three fun ideas for unique holiday tablescapes.
MIX AND MATCH HOLIDAY TABLE
"Think of your table top as an extension of your closet and personal style," says our expert. "Mix traditional with modern and even eclectic pieces, top basics with flea market finds or borrow complementary patterns from friends and family. Mix colors and patterns to make each person's place setting unique."
LIVING HOLIDAY TABLE
Tired of boring Poinsettia displays? Try Addison's chic and easy idea for a Living Wreath Centerpiece: Start with a floral foam wreath form and securely pin some topical moss to the wreath form. Then add color, texture and visual interest by layering miniature orchids, berries, and other festive florals into the wreath, making sure to cover the root balls with moss to keep them from drying out. To finish off your new accessory, place a clear cylinder vase into the center of the wreath and fill it with colored water and floating candles.
CANDYLAND TABLE
To make sure the kids behave during dinner, try Addison's sweet — and chic — idea for a Candyland-inspired table. First, lay out a red tablecloth, green napkins and plain white dinner plates. To spruce up the plates, bejewel them with jelly beans, attached to the plate with royal icing used as glue. For an extra yummy effect, Addison suggests adding an edible centerpiece using lollipops and candy canes arranged in brightly colored flower pots lined with chocolate rice cereal as "dirt." The best part? This centerpiece also doubles as dessert, since guests can graze right from the pots.
For more of Mark Addison's tips, visit his web site at MarkAddison.com.
WIN IT! To freshen up your holiday table for those family dinners, Us is gifting one lucky reader with a 1800Flowers.com Peace on Earth Holiday Bouquet. To enter, email your name, address, daytime phone number and age (must be over 21) to Giveaways@usmagazine.com. You must put 'Holiday Table Essentials' in the subject line of your email in order to be eligible. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Monday, December 5. Click here for official rules.
