Whether it's a cocktail party, formal dinner, or potluck, simple details can give any soiree a personal and festive feel. For inspiration, consider these ideas—all of which take five minutes or less.
Create a simple centerpiece. Christopher Lowell, coauthor of The Hassle-Free Host, recommends filling five or six square, clear glass vases with an item that captures your event's theme, like seashells for a beach party, golf balls for a sports bash, or limes for a Mexican fiesta. Nestle a long-stemmed flower in the center of each vase, then line up the vessels in the middle of the table.
Give candles flair. Five or six votives in colored glass bowls can illuminate the center of your table, says Larry Craig of Laurence Craig Catering in New York and New Jersey. Or set a votive in a raw, hollowed artichoke. Holding the stem, pound the top against a countertop to loosen the leaves, then pry them open. Scoop out the center leaves and fuzzy choke with gloved hands, and cut the stem so the artichoke sits upright. Pull the outside leaves down, forming a cup. Place the votive inside.
Tie a napkin. If you've planned an Asian menu, Craig says, "Wrap a piece of raffia around a rolled cloth napkin, and tuck a pair of chopsticks in." Coil a sprig of ivy around a napkin for a garden party, or a red licorice string for a dessert buffet.
Name-drop. If it's game night, you might spell out your guests' names in Scrabble tiles; for your cooking club, rest a personalized recipe card on each plate. For a dinner, Lowell suggests slitting the top of a green apple for a small place card. You can also punch a hole behind the slit with a pencil, fill it with water, and insert a single flower so the bud peeks over the card (some water will absorb into the apple).
Jazz up a menu display. Whether it's a buffet or sit-down dinner, place your menu card in a picture frame that matches the party's theme, or write it down on a plate with marker, as shown at right. Display on the table with a plate stand.
Check out these helpful articles for more great entertaining tips:
Add Pizzazz to Your Plate
Entertaining with Ease
How to Compose a Menu
Dinner-Party Primer
Tables with Style
Affairs to Remember
