The Perfect Setting

Setting the tables for the holidays, can be almost as fun as cooking (for some maybe even more so). I am admittedly a dishware collector and believe that honoring your guests with a beautifully decorated table is as important as the deliciousness of the meal being presented.

Although a huge fan of colorful and patterned dinnerware, for my holiday settings, I typically start with my neutral creams. I use my woven wood placemats and linen table runner, so the decor I gather is the showstopper set on a neutral backdrop.

Fortunately for us in Northern Michigan, with some efforts and creativity, it can be easy to use our natural environment to create some beautiful winter holiday table settings. What typically comes to mind are the standard pine boughs (although, classic and fragrant). Mix some bare branch trimmings in, sprayed with silver glitter or white paint. Use some pinecones in varying sizes for texture and complete the look by incorporating small blown glass

bulbs or red berries and you have a very festive table setting. Using glass candle holders gives you a wonderfully intimate and reflective light source for your dinner.


For a Thanksgiving feast, I use dried cattails, grasses and of course some gourds and/or leaves. Companies like Horchow, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel often have inexpensive soup bowls or bread plates that will carry the theme just a little farther. Purchase some candle sticks that look like corn cobs and you have a perfect setting.



To prep for holiday entertaining that can carry the whole year through, invest in some neutral dinnerware, placemats, table runners or cloths. Of course don't forget the linen napkins with themed rings and you have the perfect base to decorate for each holiday in the color and theme you see fit!