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Written by Holly Bea
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Thursday, 14 December 2006 |
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What’s one of the easiest ways to dress up your home for the holidays, without breaking the bank? Set an impressive holiday table.
How can you pull this off, when you’re struggling with buying everything on your holiday list? It’s more affordable than you think.
We asked two local retailers to create a holiday table that would make your mom (or mother-in-law) proud — for under $100.
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 THE CHALLENGE
Using existing white dishes, create a holiday table setting for less than $100.
The player: The Cupboard, 152 S. College Ave., Fort Collins
Designer: Cathy Farmer, buyer
Farmer combined the colors of Christmas with a traditional red and white plaid.
“Lime green has grown very popular in the past few years,” Farmer said. “It’s very bright and fun.”
It’s also a look that’s more casual and won’t go out of style. Best of all, you can take away the red and white and use the lime green tablecloth all year long. Adding a candy cane to each place setting is a nice, inexpensive touch.
Tip: Unscented candles won’t interfere with aroma of the meal.
The Bill: $98.50
Runner by Park Imports: $9.95
Table Cloth by Xochi: $24.95
Napkins by Park Imports: $11.80
Tree by Tag: $16
Tapers by Northern Lights: $3.90
Candle holders by Tag: $21.90
4 Candy canes by Hammonds Candy: $10
Raffia: (A few cents.)
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THE CHALLENGE
 Create a holiday table setting including dishes for less than $100.
The player: Cottonwood Cupboard, 5971 Sky Pond Drive, Loveland.
Designer: Laurie Hindson,owner
Create a holiday table setting, including all dishes, for under $100?
“This was really hard, “ said Laurie Hindson of Cottonwood Cupboard. “But you can always find something special to fit a budget, as long as you keep it simple,” she said.
She came in $3 over budget; the look of the table setting was worth it.
“Use basic colors and it’ll be more versatile through the year,” she said.
Tip: Take out green accents and the red placemats can be used for a Valentine’s Day dinner setting.
The Bill: $102.85
4 red placemats by Tag: $19.80
4 green napkins by ADV: $3.90
4 snowflake napkin rings by India Handicrafts: $19.80
Tree serving platter by Amscan:
$21.95
Tea Lights: $.25 cents each
2 ornament appetizer plates by Dept. 56: $12.50
Artificial poinsettia: $9.95
4 Dinner plates by BIA: $14.95
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MAYBE YOU CAN'T SPEND $100
It’s still easy to add some pizzazz to your table. Here are a few items that can transform your table from ho-hum to holiday WOW.
• Seasonal salt and pepper shakers — available in Santas, reindeers, trees, angels, Judaica Dreidels and even the colors of Kwanzaa, for just a few bucks.
• Holiday place cards — use a Sharpee to write guest names on simple metallic tree ornaments, or use red or green ribbon to tie name tags onto candy canes.
• Fresh greenery — pick it up at your local florist, grocery store or tree lot. Even a simple sprig with a holiday bow makes the table festive.
• Holiday serving piece — it’s amazing how one or two holiday themed pieces can dress up a table. Head to Tuesday Morning or Target for an inexpensive serving bowl.
• Candles — big, small, red, green, silver, gold, round, square — there’s nothing like a candle to help create a festive mood.
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