Sue Keels was recently featured in the Rochester DDA "In Town" Magazine.
Check out Sue Keels, Director of Sales & Marketing at the fabulous Royal Park Hotel article and sugar plum tablescape photo shoot...
"Setting the Perfect Holiday Table"
Thank you to the Rochester DDA for such a wonderful opportunity!
The holiday season is such a magical time of year for entertaining. Colorful and creative tabletops set the scene and captivate your guests.
An unforgettable dining experience plays a starring role during this spirited time of the year. When planning your tablescape, be sure to identify your inspiration and color story.
Inspiration comes in many shapes and sizes such as a simple piece of vintage china or silver passed down through generations and enjoyed during many holiday seasons. An element of nostalgia is a popular and memorable addition to your tabletop.
Selecting a color story creates a cohesive look and overall holiday feel. Consider bold, alternative colors that share the same holiday hues of red and green. The combination of moss and sugar plum is an example of fashionable jewel tone trends. Incorporate these colors by layering linens and adding elements with the same color story to the overall design of the table.
Centerpiece collections are very popular and create dimension to the middle of the table. Five or six groupings of vases, candle holders and other swag decorative items gathered together add interest to the center of the tabletop. Incorporate fresh fruit accompanied by flowers and glowing candles. Fruit is festive, enhances the color story and adds an organic flavor to the table.
When setting the perfect holiday dinner table don’t be afraid to breakout out the good china that sits in your cabinet all year long! The elegance of fine china, sterling silver and crystal adds a stately sparkle to any table.
Table Setting Tricks and Tips
- Chargers continue to be very popular and add a finished and layered look to the place setting. They are available in many colors and sizes.
- Place a charger followed by a china dinner plate in the middle of each positioned chair around the table.
- Fold napkins in a sleek rectangle shape on top of the dinner plate. The touch of fabric adds texture and color, creating a focal point on each plate.
- On the right side of the plate, position two knives with the blade facing toward the plate (one for salad and one for the main entrée).
- On the left side of the plate set a dinner fork and place an additional salad fork just outside the dinner fork.
- Place a spoon and dessert fork directly above the top of the dinner plate.
- Bread and butter plates are always positioned to the left of the dinner plate with a small bread knife resting at the top of the plate. Individual molded butter and a sprig of rosemary enhance the butter plate presentation.
- Place a stemmed water glass directly across from the bread plate, slightly to the right of the dinner plate and above the knives. If you are serving wine, place the wine glass to the right of the water glass.
Adding a favor take-away sharing the same color story and inspiration enhances the evening. Favors offer a lasting memory of a special holiday dinner shared with family and friends. A vibrant ornament sitting on a votive candle holder completes a festive place setting.
Consider offering decorative to-go bags, carry-out containers and small tins filled with homemade desserts for guests to enjoy and savor. Keep the flavors of the season lingering after the gathering and most of all enjoy creating magic and spending time with loved ones during the holiday season.
Linen showcased in the photo shoot is from Chair Covers & Linens
Flowers from Design Works Flowers
Enjoy the spirit of the season and stay tuned for many more creative holiday entertaining ideas!
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