Submitted by: Whole Foods Market Bellingham
With the holidays quickly approaching, many are preparing to host friends and family. Here are five tips to make sure that your holiday table is nothing short of perfect.
Freshen it up
Adding garland, a floral arrangement or fresh fruit adds life to your table. Replace scented candles with aromatic fruit, such as lemons studded with coriander seeds, to achieve a fresh scent without the mess. A floral centerpiece will also add a fresh scent, but be sure to choose pollen-free flower varieties, to avoid staining your tablecloth. Whole Foods Market is proud to offer Whole Trade Flowers sourced according to strict criteria for ethical trade, environmental responsibility and high quality. Find more floral tips on our blog.
Show off the food
Is there a dish that symbolizes a tradition in your family? Make it the centerpiece of your table. Or, have your guests all bring a dish that is traditional to their family to share.
Do you pride yourself on buying local or organic produce? Use organic fruits and vegetables in both raw and cooked preparations to add variation to your table in both texture and flavor.
Discover the perfect serving dish! Spend time determining what dishes will be best to present your food or, if you wish to show off an heirloom serving piece, choose a recipe that compliments the design.
Personalize it
You can personalize place settings with hand-lettered place cards, by providing a small favor next to each plate (we love these poppers from Meri Meri available at our store) or even by leaving a personal note thanking your guest for attending your holiday meal. If you want to forego the traditional tablecloth, use butcher paper to create customized place settings where your guests can write their holiday wishes.
Give back
Encourage your guests to gather together and give back to your community! You could adopt a local family who is in need and each guest could bring a gift. Or, when your guests ask what they can bring, encourage them to bring a couple of canned food items for your local food bank. Giving back is a simple way to unite your guests and create a warm holiday feel in your home.
Leave Space
As you create your holiday table remember to leave room for the food and for your guests to see each other across the table. Functionality is often lost when decorating, so be sure to consider the following when designing your table:
- Will guests dish up at the table or will they do so in the kitchen prior to sitting?
- Is the food on the table easy to access and pass?
- If you have candles, be sure to place them away from dishes so they do not drip in the food or get knocked over.
For more holiday tips, visit WFM.com/holidays.
Whole Foods Market Bellingham is located at the corner of Lakeway and Lincoln. Holiday hours available at WFM.com/BellinghamLakeway.
