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Gather All
The Simple Joy of Christmas Dinner
By Ruth Brister
lly berries that adorn your doors and fireplace can also grace the center of your table. Try adding candles or a gold or silver tasseled rope for a touch of richness intermingled in the pine branches. If you would rather not use foliage on the table, try a festive colored runner with mirrors placed on it holding lit candles. The reflections of the flickering lights are an added bonus. Another simple but pretty look is a glass bowl filled with colorful ornaments. Decorating with fruit is always an elegant accent. Homemade sugared fruit placed on a cake stand is a work of art to behold. This easy and adorning task can be achieved by rolling clean fruit in grape jelly and then fine sugar. Give it a few minutes to dry and then roll it again.
You can give any special dinner an extra flair by playing mix-and-match with china patterns. Salad plates and soup bowls that are not in your dinnerware pattern but still have a similar color and feel can give your table a refreshed look. If you do have more than one set of china, try different combinations with each piece. If you can't seem to create the look you desire, consider purchasing a few pieces. Many discount stores offer seasonal patterns that are economical. Should your budget not allow for the purchasing of new china, consider borrowing from a friend or even renting it.
Tables set for a formal occasion are usually covered with a damask cloth and napkins of the same fabric. However, linens and lace may be used as well as colors and prints when the setting is informal. Coordinating your linens and china will always present the prettiest picture; remember you can't go wrong with the traditional red and green. Using place cards scripted with each person's name always dds a touch of class. If your family enjoys a more casual atmosphere, try serving a buffet. Have one table designated for food only, or consider one table for meat and vegetables and another for sweets, if room allows. Before everyone arrives, it is a good idea to have the table set with silverware and glasses to avoid confusion. If your dining room table isn't large enough to accommodate all of your guests, try setting up smaller card tables for the children or give the most fanatic of football fans the choice of dining on TV trays -- where else but in front of the tube!