Memorable entertaining events are based on the food, the setting and the company. When all work together with seemingly little effort, it is always the result of a lot of pre planning. Taking the time to create interesting table settings adds to the visual enjoyment of the meal before a single bite is taken. When something looks delicious the mind has already accepted that it is delicious. Presentation is more than half the battle.

Dining tables and buffet displays are created by the attention lavished on each of its basic elements: tablecloth, china, glassware, and eating utensils. Add a spectacular centerpiece, place cards, and party favors and you have the formula for creating an unforgettable event.

The first thing you must determine is who will attend, and what type of impression you want to convey to the guests. Is this to be a themed event? A business dinner will have different emphasis than a family holiday meal or a child’s party. The degree or formality or informality required will have the greatest influence on all of your other decisions.

TABLECLOTHS:
These set the stage. A white silk damask table cloth, a blue cotton broadcloth, or a green and red plaid chenille throw all send different signals. Use cotton felt or felt backed vinyl cloth under the table covering to deaden the sound of cutlery and china and protect your tabletop. In the winter, layer fabrics such as a plaid lap cover, or decorative shawl over a solid cover skirting.

Use shimmering fabric such as taffeta and gold lame over lace. Tie the ends into a knot with bows, ribbons and attach pine cones, crystals or what ever else suits the theme of the event. Place tablecloths on an angle – get creative!

CHINA:
This refers generically to your dish service. USE YOUR CHINA! So many sets of perfectly beautiful china sit in boxes and china cabinets year after year. Either sell it or use it. The memory of the exquisite meal served on them will last much longer than the memory of hand washing them!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match china. If you have a seldom used tea service, use the smaller plates as salad or dessert plates with your regular china. Only have four place settings and eight guests? Use two different sets of four and alternate the dinner plates of one set with the salad plates of the other.
Collect mismatched china on purpose. A British King almost bankrupted the country by ordering all individually made dishes for his lavish entertaining events! Go the more budget route by collecting gold and white china in many patterns any time you see some at an antique store, flea market or auction – it looks fabulous all together.
If you collect cups and saucers, use them for your after dinner coffee or tea. Ask your guests to choose their favorite – it creates conversation and spreads the joy of your collection to others too.

GLASSWARE:
Colored glass has the greatest impact. It’s worth buying some just for the holidays! Again, don’t worry about matching. This is where a collector has the advantage of enjoying the objects of their affection by using them regardless of the patterns.

SILVER CUTLERY and HOLLOW WARE
Silver is often referred to as a table’s jewelry. Whether you use sterling or silver plate ,stainless steel, gold or brass plated cutlery , let them shine! Collect interesting old silver. The Victorian era and early 20th century are a very rich source of hundreds of different pieces for unimaginable purposes in thousands of different patterns. There are fish forks and knives, sugar nippers, macaroni servers, sugar sifters, asparagus servers, tomato servers, cake combs…. you get the picture. Display them English style, with the bowls of the spoons and fork tines up, or French style facing down – the latter is why you will occasionally see cutlery where the backs are monogrammed and chased with beautiful designs.

ACCESSORIES:
Centerpieces: These are only limited by the imagination. Beautiful flowers in unusual containers, candle groupings, multi layered fruit and nut arrangements delight the eye. Experiment with things from the garden such as twigs fashioned into a wreath and insert a candle in the center or create a miniature scene or grouping of beaded fruit under a Victorian glass cloche.
Fill a clear glass vase with fresh cranberries and place fresh long stemmed blooms in it – the cranberries support the fragile stems. Layer green and then red jelly beans in small sherry glasses and place at each setting. Glue little used glassware and glass plates together to create a pyramid and fill with flowers and fruit. Put candles in canning jars and have them “snake” their way across the table.

Party Favors / Place cards: These will set your table apart from all the rest. Think of the special events you attended in the past where place cards were used and the feeling they conveyed, so use them! There are so many different ways that you can display name cards and this is a wonderful way children can become involved. Let them create the cards by hand or on the computer. Attach them to a chocolate, or use commercially available figurines in the shape of miniature furniture or clothing- whatever you fancy. Make them all different and give them to your guests to take home as a memento of the event.

Christmas decorations make great party favors. Place one at each setting and write the year in an inconspicuous spot. Each time your guest decorates their own tree in the years to come they will be reminded of your special event.

No room for a centerpiece? Purchase miniature cedar trees (real ones!) and wrap the tiny base with a colorful Christmas fabric or sparkly gold fabric and place one at each setting. Tie with a ribbon and the “TO” tag becomes their place card! Or buy pretty, unmatched crystal glasses (clear or even multicolored) and place small fresh flowers in each. Anchor with glass marbles or rocks available in craft stores if you wish. Nestle a place card into the arrangement.

Give your guests their own napkin ring to take home. Get something that is appropriate to the person and again, don’t worry about matching rings. In the past, when washing cloth napkins was truly a chore, family members kept their napkins in use for several days. The only way they could identify theirs was by the monogram or totally different napkin ring. You can attach the place cards to the napkin ring for a more informal feeling too.

Make planning for your special event fun - enjoy the process and don't forget to leave yourself some quiet time to enjoy the season too!

If you would like to be the first to receive other articles on collecting antiques and collectibles as they are written for this web site click here to subscribe. Please forward this article or our web site address to someone who might enjoy it and don’t forget to add us to your favorites! Thank you!