Create the Perfect Holiday Table

Prepping for the holidays and looking for a little help setting that perfect table for your next dinner party or other social gathering? Try these tips:

KNOW THY SPACE
It’s important to have a vision of the scene you want to create; feelings you want to invoke among your guests. Whether your preference is over the top, wild colorful or simple and understated, both offer their own sense of drama and anticipation for your guests. The main thing to remember is to see the whole table and how you expect the sum of its parts—color, theme, etc.—to come together harmoniously.

START WITH THE CENTERPIECE
Whether your party is a more formal dinner or a casual gathering of friends for wine and good social, start with the center of the table and work outward. Here are some tips to help you make a statement with your centerpiece:

Candlelight makes a great foundation for any centerpiece

Create visual interests by utilizing a variety of candle sizes and height

Color is an important ingredient. Decide if you want your candles to blend with your existing décor in your home or if you want to create a little contrast with your centerpiec

Taper candles and pillar candles are classic design ingredients for any table

For a interesting twist, try using floating candles to build your centerpiece around, or create a harvest or winter scene down the center of your table. Our Cathedral Lantern set is an easy and creative way to set a winter scene for your guests. See our newest feature in our Bright Ideas decorating series.

Mix floral stems, garlands, branches, etc. among whichever candlelight solution you choose, but don’t be afraid to experiment with colored scatter, wax snow, dried flowers, etc.

Typically you want to avoid using scented candles in a dining table centerpiece as our highly fragrant candles could potentially conflict with the blend of aromas of the food. If you want to use scent as part of a centerpiece, consider using it for less formal events like a wine party or salon.

PERSONALIZE WITH PLACE SETTINGS
Don’t stop at the centerpiece! Finish rolling out the red carpet to your guests by personalizing their space at the dining table – whether your event is more formal or more casual. Try these suggestions:

Think outside the standard place setting. For a consistent and cohesive look, dress up each place setting with a votive cup or floating vessel

Use clear tealights for a classic look or our holiday-hued floating candles for a pop of color. Tie it into the style and color themes in your centerpiece

Try floating flowers at each place setting for a different spin!

Trying out a whimsical themed centerpiece? For an added touch of fun, dress up each place setting with our snowmen tapers, Christmas tree tapers, Mini Glitter Christmas Tree candles or Color Changing Snowmen – paired with a placecard for each guest.

Many of our novelty floating candles also make a great accent for any place setting, even without the water!

Personalize even more for smaller, intimate events! Add a unique keepsake to each place setting that represents something you love about each guest’s personality.

Illuminations on HGTV

Illuminations product will be featured on HGTV’s special “Decked for the Holidays”:

Decked for the Holidays
From door stoppers and tree toppers to outdoor décor and more, host Karen McAloon presents Santa's list of holiday makeover tips and party secrets to help fill your home with that festive feeling. Don't miss Karen's little helpers, designers Frank Fontana and Erinn Valencich as they show you how to turn those not-so-seasonal rooms into a holiday haven. Be there with bells on as HGTV takes you on a sleigh ride of fun that is sure to make your holidays more memorable than ever.

They are taking our straight sided bowl and dark red floaters and presenting a “how to” holiday display. The special will air four times on HGTV:

AIR TIMES:
• November 23, 2007 9:00 PM ET/PT
• November 24, 2007 1:00 AM ET/PT
• November 26, 2007 10:00 AM ET/PT
• December 09, 2007 5:00 PM ET/PT

Don’t miss it!