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Spruce up your winter entertaining
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(ARA) - This winter isn't turning out the way Stephanie Andrews initially planned. The tight economy is forcing her to cancel her vacation to a sunny destination. But rather than get the winter blahs, she's going all out sprucing up her home to entertain family and friends, ultimately creating memories that she believes will end up being far more meaningful.
"This winter is going to be cozier, homier and family oriented," says Andrews. "I think we'll really experience the true meaning of starting a new year by being with family and friends and celebrating each other, and that begins with decorating our home together."
Andrews doesn't have a lot of extra cash to go out and buy new accents or decorations. Design experts say that's not a problem. In fact, you may already have all you need to spruce up your winter entertaining by recycling what you already have in your home. The china cabinet is one of the first places Dubravka Vujinovic looks when developing new decorating ideas. As a designer for Replacements, Ltd., known as the world's largest supplier of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles, she coaches customers to create their own unique ways to add seasonal twists.
"You don't have to spend a lot of money or be extraordinarily creative to give both your home and table that extra seasonal sparkle," says Vujinovic. "You can do so much on a limited budget by starting with china or other decorative pieces you already have and using them in ways you never imagined."
Vujinovic offers a number of easy and inexpensive ideas to help you turn what may seem ordinary into dazzling decorating pieces.
Think outside the box
Are your serving pieces in the china cabinet gathering dust? Those could be the start of the perfect centerpiece. "A great idea that's also really easy is to fill a soup tureen or large serving bowl with fresh flowers, pine cones or even ornaments to complement your napkins or china," says Vujinovic. "You could do something similar with your sugar bowl, or even fill water goblets or tumblers with flowers to use at each place setting."
Find seasonal accents
Vujinovic says many people fall into the trap of thinking they need to rush out and buy new an entire new pattern when just adding winter themed salad or accent plates can actually give your table an entire new seasonal look. Patterns with snowflakes, winter scenes or other seasonal themes are a great start. Silver and various shades of blue are popular winter colors.
* Mix old and new china patterns, or even combine your formal dinnerware with more casual pieces. For instance, use a colorful earthenware dinner plate from the Homer Laughlin Fiesta collection as a charger to add more pop to a more delicate china pattern.
* Add a burst of pizzazz by using colored glass plates as accent pieces. You can even lay decorative paper cut into the shape of a snowflake or outdoor greenery on a dinner plate and then place a see-through colored glass plate on top to create a layered effect.
* Ornaments aren't just for the holidays. Decorate each place setting with seasonal themed or colored ornaments. This will not only add sparkle to your table, you can give them to your guests as keepsakes from your special evening.
* Fill silver bowls with water and float candles for evening entertaining.
* Look outdoors. Use seasonal greenery, including holly or magnolia leaves on the table to add color.
* Place various sized candles on cake stands to create great accent pieces.
"One easy trick to spray your candles with a light coat of clear spray adhesive then roll the candle in a dish of sea salt to create a snow glazed look," says Vujinovic. "You can also buy fake snow at a craft shop and sprinkle it around the candles on your cake stand for a winter feel."
Want to learn more inside tips to wow your guests? You can find additional decorating tips and ideas for winter patterns at www.replacements.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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