Toasting Table
Toast for good cheer and resolutions for a happy New Year.Gather flowers loosely, and drop into a cylinder vase. Surround it with wide green pillars and an array of flowered balls to bring an intoxicating display of fun. Sparkling green champagne flutes with mercury glass candlesticks set the stage for a bubbly bash.
Ringing In the New
The fundamentals of a formal, yet fantastically fun, dinner party setting include color, texture, and style. Take an artistic approach when planning this memorable evening. When developing your palette, do not be afraid to mix bright combinations of old treasures and new-found additions.A stark arrangement of agapanthus flowers mixed with lush flower balls on pedestals and an assortment of candles creates a harmonious glow. Guests will enjoy the added comforts of velvet accent pillows that add a punch of elegance and bright color to seating. The soft yet spirited ambiance is sure to capture all for the long evening ahead.
Setting the Mood
Add dimension to your display by using old and new pieces and bright colors mixed with complementary patterns. Here, fresh galax leaf chargers anchored by simple oversized ivory plates set the foundation for the strong mixture of pistachio green and purple curvy dinnerware.To make the chargers: Start with 12-inch round pizza cardboard trays (found at restaurant supply stores). Cut stems from galax leaves, and, using a low-temp glue gun, attach leaves to the perimeter of the cardboard, filling the entire outside edge. Repeat the process, covering the bottom portions of the first row of leaves. Continue until cardboard is covered. Chargers may be made a few days before and stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
By the Fire
Off with the garland and holly berries. Balls of moss and fresh flowers mixed with fresh green candles atop mercury glass candlesticks present a fresh visual surprise.
Absolutely No Regrets
Handmade invitations let guests know the evening will be special. Use assorted paper that can be found in stationary shops. There are so many options today. Let your design inspiration blend with your evening’s color theme.Here, green and purple were used mixing a creamy cardstock with a transparent overlay. For the computer savvy, these may be printed at home. For a special touch, we threaded a small ribbon through the top of each invitation. And for a final refinement, a small silver sticker seals the envelope.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Personalize the evening with glass tags and monogrammed napkins. Include a menu card to entice guests’ appetites. And as a new twist to a traditional place card, use ring tags that can be found at a crafts or office-supply store.Script each guest's name with a colored, thin-tip marker. Holiday metallic silver napkins are monogrammed with the hosts’ last initial by a local specialty embroidery shop. And menu card material can be quickly assembled using the wide array of cardstock.
