Valentine’s Day Informal Setting

Theme:  Valentine’s Day

Style:  Rustic, Country, Informal

Color Scheme:  Red, white and gray

Flowers:  Red Roses

Your table coverings (cloth, placemats, runners) should be your canvas.  Since I am using a white dinnerware set, I want to use a color table covering for contrast which creates interest and drama.  I own this holiday tablecloth with matching napkins which I purchased from Macy’s, holiday sale.

I happen to own these beautiful tin chargers, which I use over and over, but you can purchase 12 or 10 inch round white dollies to serve as chargers, and they are a fraction of the cost.

Next, place your white dinner plate and immediately on top of that, your matching (or at least red) napkin, in a rose fold.  How gorgeous is that!  The tutorial for this fold (if I can do it, so can you) is “rose from the napkin folding guide” dashpinchsmidgen.blogspot.com

Next, place a salad or soup plate (whether you’ll use it or not) just to hold the napkin in place.

Now place your flatware and glassware appropriately and the fun begins…

What says romance more than red roses and taper candles?  The containers in which you place them should match something on your table and you can never go wrong with a clear fish bowl.  It has a small rim which helps hold up your roses in the event you are doing the arrangement yourself…I would!  You can purchase inexpensive roses at your local department store or even wholesalers like Costco which offers two dozen (Rainforest Alliance Certified) for only $16.99.

I would place one centerpiece for up to four place settings and two for up to double, three for triple the amount of guests and so on.

To anchor the centerpiece or pieces, add taper candles (white or red) on either side and you can include small votive candles to add more sparkle.

For the menu, I would serve Ina Garten’s Grilled Tuna Salad:

Voila!  You now have a beautiful, inexpensive table setting and delicious easy to prepare meal that your guests will appreciate and remember for years to come!

Happy Valentine’s Day!