Come to the Table

Hospitality is not my spiritual gift. However, I do like for my guests to feel special when they come to my home. While I enjoy being creative, I feel like people who pull off the greatest showstoppers for around their home are either people who have money to burn or have a ton of time to search for ideas, deals, and ways to inexpensively make them happen. Right now, I have neither, but there are some simple ways to set a table to make it beautiful.

When we had dinner group a few years ago to send off a beloved family of ours to China, I wanted dinner to feel like a special event. Thankfully, I just used what I already had in my collection and only spent money on fresh roses.

If you have a membership at Costco, that’s my go-to. They sell two dozen roses for right under $20. If you need a ton of roses, they can be ordered online, 50 at a time for $39.99. You won’t get that deal at a florist. I must have gotten a bonus rose in this bunch because I count 25 when I look at the picture!

My plate and bowl sets are Corelle, and while I think they were originally purchased at Walmart, they are a tiny bit cheaper on Amazon.

Napkins, napkin rings, and placemats are from Bed, Bath, and Beyond (I’ve had all of them since I was married).

Candlesticks are from Hobby Lobby.

Wineglasses are Target.

My multi-colored Royal Doulton bowls were a gift from my mother, but the best price I’ve seen is here, from Amazon.

My silverware, sigh, is just a hodgepodge I inherited years ago. 🙂

If you only have a little bit of money to spend to make a table feel special, the best way to go is fresh flowers. Something about them scream “elegance.” If you’re on a budget, it doesn’t have to be roses. Get some daisies or carnations and they will make your table make any guest feel welcomed and cared for.

Other than that, be intentional with your place settings. Layering (bowl in bowl on plate), using textures (placemats and napkin rings), and cloth napkins, if you have them, help bring it all together.

So what does it look like without a filter? Because we KNOW that’s real life! So, here ya go!