Invite Nature To Your Next Dinner Party!

One of the simplest and most elegant touches to any occasion, be it an intimate gathering of friends or a banquet room full of people, is to accessorize with nature.  The world is full of color and texture, and bringing these into the decor of any event is easy and unique.  Here are some ideas to inviting the outdoor world to the table!

1. Incorporate sand into the scenery.  Throwing a party around a tropical theme makes this super-easy, but don’t limit sandscapes to simply beach parties.  Fill glass containers about 1/2 full of clean sand (playground sand works well and can be found in bags at your local home supply store for under $10).  Then, arrange items such as shells, candles, or trinkets in them.  Glass containers can be canning jars, crystal bowls, goblets or even fish bowls!  If using candles, submerge them about halfway down in the sand for stability.
2. Use grapevine to weave down a buffet table to add depth to a display.  (Make sure it is grapevine and not some other vine you’ve found - such as poison ivy!)
3. If you find an old bird’s nest, it can be used as a centerpiece.  Simply quarantine the nest for a few days in a sealed plastic bag with some mothballs to ensure nothing is still alive in it.  Fill the nest with glass balls or eggs and display it on a domed cake plate.
4. Create unique place markers for seating arrangements by filling small clay pots with wild clover.  Simply unearth and replant clover in small pots and write the guests’ names directly on the pot in paint pen or other permanent pens.
5. For a quick centerpiece, place freshly cut flowers in gift bags on tables.  They are easy to tote home and there’s no need to worry about vases tumbling over!