Buffet Table Decorating

Buffets are perfect for feeding large groups of people, whether for a party or an everyday meal. Decorate your buffet table for added ambience and include centerpieces as part of the decor. Use themed centerpieces or simple accoutrements that enhance the meal. Use the following ideas as starters and let your imagination take over. Does this Spark an idea?

Flowers

Flowers are always appropriate for decorating a buffet table. You may create or purchase arrangements that depict a season, a holiday or a specific celebration or go with simple flowers in vases or bowls. Don't use cumbersome arrangements that people need to reach around or that might fall down as people reach for their food. Tall arrangements aren't advisable because they can tip over easily.

If your budget is high, ask a flower shop to create arrangements perfect for your event. If your budget is low, buy single stems and put one or two in each vase. Arrange vases by groupings at strategic points on your buffet table.

Edible Centerpieces

Cut fruits, vegetables or both into shapes using cookie cutters or into chunks if they aren't appropriate for slicing and cutting into shapes. Purchase floral foam and wooden skewers. You may use toothpicks instead of skewers if you prefer. Anchor a piece of fruit or vegetable with the skewer or toothpick and insert the other end into the floral foam. You may serve the edible centerpiece in a large bowl or on a serving platter, tucking small pieces of kale between pieces of fruit or veggies.

Natural Elements

Core apples or pears, making large enough holes to insert a votive or tealight candle. Cut a small slice of fruit off the bottom to allow for stability when the fruit is standing on the table. Group a few of these fruit/candle combinations on a mirror in two or three spots on your buffet table.

Gather pine cones and pine boughs and arrange them in baskets. Insert a pillar candle into the middle of each arrangement and light before dinner is served.

Strew leaves or dried flowers randomly over the entire table cloth before the buffet has been laid on the table for natural and pretty buffet table decorating.