Place cards add a bit of specialness to your holiday table. To make some pretty and unique (and easy and cheap) cardholders, use the fall harvest or foliage. For example, buy a variety of apples of different colors, cut a slit on top of each one, and stand a name card in the slit—or do the same with a variety of miniature pumpkins and gourds…collect some large leaves of various colors from your yard, then write a guest’s name on each one using a heavy felt-tip pen or, for more flair, a paint pen…wedge a place card into a pinecone (use a small piece of double-sided tape on the back if necessary). Beautiful!
To add more panache to your holiday table: Uncooked artichokes can be miniature pieces of decorative art. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each artichoke so that it stands up straight. Trim the sharp points off the leaves and scoop out enough of the middle (a spoon or a melon baller works well…be sure to scrape out the fibrous “choke”) to place a tea-light candle inside. (Tea lights are slightly smaller than votive candles and usually have a metal casing that will help keep the flame away from the holder.) If you want some glitz, spray paint the artichokes gold. Several of these natural candleholders on your table (or elsewhere in your holiday home) will add warmth, sparkle and natural delight!
More holiday fare…
