Decorating Ideas

There are many ways to prepare your home and your dining table for a special meal or a night of entertaining. Here are just a few ways to set the stage for a wonderful night in. Use this party checklist to make the most of your celebration and your time with family and friends. We’ve partnered with Better Homes & Gardens to give you even more great decorating ideas.

Theme

Do you have a theme? Sometimes centering your event around a theme can make your hosting duties easier and more fun. There are a variety of occasions that are perfect for hosting, like Halloween, Mardi Gras or Thanksgiving. But there also fun events that you can host year-round, like Tex-Mex Night, Breakfast for Dinner, and more. How about some creative ways to give thanks? Better Homes & Gardens has some fun ideas. Check them out at BH&G.com .

Tablecloth

A tablecloth that matches your party theme can help add to the appeal of a room and even the meal itself. It’s a simple touch that helps pull your look together in no time. If you’re serving a large crowd and add leaves to your table, make sure that your tablecloth still fits. Add placecards that match your theme for some additional fun. Check here for ideas from Better Homes & Gardens.

Family Friendly

It’s always a nice idea to get kids to help with home and table decorations, especially if the event is child-focused or a seasonal holiday, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Halloween. They’ll love that they helped, and you’ll love that you had more quality time together. Check out BH&G.com for even more great ideas with kids.

Serving Ware

Having the right plates, glasses, and napkins can help make your table look perfect. Not only does this give you a chance to use your good china, it helps add to the ambiance of the event and gives you a beautiful platform to spotlight your food. Don’t worry if everything doesn’t match! Here’s some ideas from Better Homes & Gardens for centerpieces and more to give your table a Thanksgiving look.

Home Décor

If you’re having a theme party or dressing your home for the holidays, make the most of your space with decorations. For example, if you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal, you may place gourds and pumpkins around your home. If your having a dinner party, it might be a question of getting the right lighting or making sure your serving ware matches your party theme. Check out these decorating ideas from Better Homes & Gardens!

Flowers

Flowers make your home smell fresh and look beautiful. They add an elegant touch and instantly make any room look more vibrant. Flowers are also a great addition to your dining table. They provide a wonderful centerpiece for any dinner party, special occasion, or festive gathering. They can also be used in a cornucopia to set the tone for an excellent holiday meal.

Candles

Eating by candlelight can set the mood for a fine-dining event and help make your environment feel softer and more comfortable. Candles can also relax guests and put them at ease without any effort from you. Unscented candles are generally recommended for a table so the scents don’t detract from the food.

Napkins

Folding your napkins in a fun and decorative way is a great conversation starter and will always get attention. There are countless designs for napkin folding, but we’ve compiled a few of our favorite Elegant Napkins that are simple to create. Or, roll your napkins and secure with a napkin ring or piece of ribbon for a quick, festive look.