Table Settings
When planning a Christmas gathering one important element to remember is a Christmas table setting. Whether for a couple, a group of friends or a large family, a good meal presentation not only brings out the holiday cheer, but also lets guests know of their importance. Children especially love to get into the holiday spirit and will enjoy helping add that special touch to the entire evening.
Beginning in October, ideas for festive Christmas table settings start to pop up in home magazines and television shows. Bookstores sell Christmas how to books for the do-it-yourself person year round. Read further for a short list of ideas useful for making a table setting for Christmas and for a kid.
To create Winter Wonderland Christmas table settings begin with a white tablecloth or white fabric with silver glitter sprinkled throughout. Styrofoam balls, which come in two inch to twelve inch sizes, glued together makes a great base for a snowman. Use felt for the scarf and buttons for eyes and nose. Real fallen twigs or pipe cleaners will work for the arms. Adhere a piece of yarn for the mouth and finish with a top hat purchase from a craft store.
To build a snow covered sledding mount place another layer of fabric over a mound of polyester stuffing or similar material at the center of the table and add the snowman. Buy small, unfinished sleds at craft stores to decorate and attach to the display with plastic reindeer and elves.
When setting a Christmas table for a large group it is important to put place markers near each plate. Snowflakes cut from white foam sheets make good name settings. Also decorate unfinished Christmas wooden shapes. Polymer clay molded into desired shapes works well too. Just remember to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions. One option is to use polymer clay to make a snow mound for candy canes with name cards taped to them.
Glass or crystal plates create an illusion of an ice covered pond. If some color is preferred, use red, white and green dinnerware instead.
For safety reasons avoid the use of real candles at the dinner table. Flameless candles have a wax coating that looks, smells and feels like real candles. Instead of a flame, an LED bulb inside glows and flickers making them safe for use around children. These set the mood for any Christmas table setting.
