Springtime brings many occasions for celebration. These might include Palm Sunday, Passover, Easter, First Communion, showers, and simply spring itself! If your guests rank among the "young at heart", these ideas for a playful, springtime table setting will be bring smiles to their faces and cheer to winter-dulled spirits.
Set the table with bright pastel colors, expressing the mood of the season. Cover the table in a pale green cloth, and accent it with pink napkins and charger plates.
A spring floral arrangement is a must. Fill a vase with tulips or daisies. Place marbles or small pebbles in the bottom of the vase to hold your flowers.
Even easier, put small potted bulbs into appropriately sized baskets. Tie with seasonally colored ribbons.
Alternatively, place small pots of wheat grass around your table. Hide small ceramic animals such as sheep and bunnies in the grass to evoke the pastoral images of springtime.
Scatter jelly beans across the table as confetti. They're easy to find at this time of the year, and I recommend purchasing a tasty brand since guests will be tempted to nibble on them throughout your party.
Wind up toys are a fun touch for playful groups of grownups or kids. Usually found in small toy stores, there are many varieties available including colorful bugs, silly robots, or speedy cars.
For your placecards, purchase nicely framed pieces of slate, usually available in a craft shop. Write your guests' names on them in chalk, and then leave extra chalk on the table for impromptu games of tic-tac-toe or hangman.
If you're crafty, create tiny bouquets for each guest, traditionally called tussie-mussies. Tie with a ribbon that has your guest's name written on it, and use these as your placecards on each plate.
Tie napkins with red shoestring licorice instead of napkin rings. This colorful touch, will be another snacking temptation for your guests.
Remember to send your guests home with party favors. Decorate plain simple party bags with rubber stamps and fill them with candies and small toys so your guests can continue the fun after the party.
