Garlands have many uses an are a great item to wind through the center of a table or around servers on a buffet.

Other garland
uses include: 

Candle rings – wrap garland around base of a pillar candle and cut to size. If necessary, ends can be held in place with wire or a bow.  

Napkin rings – another easy and inexpensive way to dress the table. Cut lengths of garland and use them to wrap your napkins. Follow directions for making a candle ring.  

Encircle your chargers or plates – garland can make a pretty circle of color around your place settings or even around pie plates, cake platters, etc.
 

Keep your colors to a minimum create a dramatic monochromatic look. By choosing a neutral color, the items you purchase can serve multiple purposes by later being used in other color schemes or settings.

Linens available at restaurant supply stores are both a good bargain and good quality. They'll wash well and last for years.

Embellish plain linens with trims, fabric paint, iron-on transfers, etc.

Use your existing serving ware as the base for centerpieces - examples include:

• A cake stand filled with pillar and votive candles
• A serving platter filled with candles and surrounded by nuts, herbs and spices
• A shallow bowl filled with water, floating candles and flowers
• A pitcher filled with layers of white and colored sugars and filled with springs of greenery or taper candles

Use formal place cards or holders to identify items on a buffet.

"Merchandise" your table settings by placing items at varying levels. A quick fix – use a 6- or 12- pack of soda (in cans) as a riser. Simply cover the cans with a napkin or fabric remnant draped over them. This makes for a sturdy and recyclable (in more ways than one) trick.

Seasonal floral picks can be used when setting the table for your next holiday meal. They can be used as napkin rings when combined with pretty wired ribbon and with the addition of a little card they can be used a place cards or used to identify items on a buffet.

Don’t forget your chairs - floral picks can be very easily added to the back of chairs for a whimsical look and fabric can be used to wrap the backs and tied into a bow.

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