CREATIVE HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE IDEAS

Gourmet Centerpieces

A Holiday Dinner Party or for that matter, any Dinner party, calls for some creative ideas for table centerpieces. An elegant centerpiece is as important a part of your dinner table, as the rest of the table decoration, serveware or even the food itself! Bring a creative twist to all your dinner parties this season, by displaying abundant and fabulous Gourmet Centerpieces instead of the usual flowers, candles etc. Instead, use flowers, candles, berries, ornaments etc. to accessorize the table decor. Place them with place mats or name cards to enliven the table. Leave the centerpiece for a majestic creation from your kitchen.

There can never be a dearth of ideas for magnificent looking gourmet food from any kitchen. Still, we, at Celebrating-Christmas.com bring to you, some ideas and tips, just to get you started.

1. The main course of your dinner party can be a great choice for a centerpiece. The traditional Roast, Stuffed Turkey, for example, makes a wonderful centerpiece.

2. 'Accessorize' your main course with other gourmet tid-bits. In the above example of a roast turkey, you may circle the turkey with mini kebabs, stuffed mushrooms, marinated olives, fresh veggies, baby tomatoes, baby potatoes etc. Garnish each little piece for adding more color to your centerpiece.

3. Desserts are another great choice for centerpieces. Trifles, Puddings, when prepared for a fairly large number of persons, make a lovely sight.

4. If you decide to choose your desserts as centerpieces, be sure to put an extra effort into the garnishing. Desserts can be topped with whipped cream, custard sauce, fruit preserves etc. and garnished with berries, mint leaves, crushed nuts etc. If using clear glass bowls for desserts like fruit trifle etc., decorate the empty bowl first by piping softened jam on the circumference of the walls. This will give off a lovely 'layered' look when viewed from the outside of the trifle bowl.

5. Cakes are eternal favorites as Centerpieces. Use a beautifully decorated cake, complete with a cake topper, for a delicious looking centerpiece. Beautiful Cake Stands, available easily in stores, can be used to hold the cake. For a timeless, classic look, place cakes on 3 tiered Cake Stands. For Christmas, a 'Buche De Noel' or simply, a 'Yule Log Cake' makes a beautiful centerpiece.

6. Place a bowl of sparkling fruit for a wholesome and elegant centerpiece. Wash and clean all the fruits before arranging them in the bowl. Creatively, alternate frosted, glazed or plain fruit and ornaments in layers. You can also arrange the fruits on a tiered Cake Stands.

7. If you cannot think of dish from your dinner menu to be of the proper size and look, for a centerpiece, you can creatively use certain smaller sized items, too. For e.g., you can arrange appetizers, miniature puddings, muffins, candy etc. on tiered Cake Stands. All you need to keep in mind to make this arrangement an attractive one, is to play with color. Alternate food items on a color theme.

8. For a cocktail party, a perfect centerpiece will be a glass bowl filled with crushed ice
carrying bright colored wine bottles. Drop a few berries and/or mint leaves to add more color.

Gourmet Centerpieces, besides being very attractive, are also very practical. More often than not, Dinner Tables are short of space with all that large number of items on your menu, serving pieces, dinnerware, mats etc. It is possible that you run out of space for a centerpiece. Gourmet centerpieces will neither take up any extra space on your table nor too much of your time. Only a little effort is needed to decorate and garnish them attractively. And last but not the least, at all times, take time to view your creation from all angles to ensure that it makes a wonderful sight to everyone watching it.

About the Author

Article Copyright Celebrating-Christmas.com: Your Guide to Celebrating Christmas in Style.

Visit us at http://www.celebrating-christmas.com for Christmas Crafts, Recipes, Dinner Menu Ideas, Party Planning Tips, Gift Ideas, Holiday Decorating Tips, Holiday Planning and Organizing Checklists, Christmas contests, free downloads, kids' fun and much more holiday stuff.

Herbed Turkey-in-a-Bag

Ingredients:

1 (10 lb.) turkey
2 tbsp. dried parsley
1 tbsp. rubbed sage
1 tsp. marjoram
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. savory
1/2 tsp. rosemary
1 tbsp. flour

Directions:

Rinse turkey and dry. Combine parsley and next 5 ingredients in blender; process 1 minute. Sprinkle cavity and outside of turkey with herb mixture. Shake flour into large cooking bag; place in large roasting dish at least 2 inches deep. Place turkey into bag according to directions. Insert meat thermometer. Bake at 325 degrees until thermometer reaches 185 degrees. Remove from oven and slit bag open. Remove turkey and let stand 15 minutes before carving. Serve with dressing.

Yield 10-12 servings.

CHRISTMAS GIFT BASKET IDEA

Relax & Unwind Herbal Tea Gift Basket

Gift Idea: You could make an easy gift basket that includes a jar of the 'Relax & Unwind Herbal Tea Mix' (see recipe below), a tea cup & saucer or mug, small jar of honey, a pretty tea spoon, maybe a few lemon cookies, a tea ball etc.

Ingredients found at your local Herb Shoppe:

1 part dried:
Lavender Buds
Peppermint
Rose Petals
Catnip

2 parts dried:
Chamomile Flower
Lemon Balm

Directions:

Gently mix the dried herbs together. This tea mix is beautiful as well as healthful.

Packaging:

Place in a decorative clear glass jar or clear cello (food safe) bag. Make a handmade gift tag that reads something like: For a single cup of tea, steep a big teaspoon in hot water for 3-5 minutes, add honey and/or lemon if desired, sip and relax...

by Pennie Mills of LadiesBlend.com - An online bath and body boutique

Project courtesy of http://www.ilovetocraft.com. Visit us for more craft ideas, f r e e craft projects and patterns.

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