How to Decorate an Informal Christmas Table

The host and hostess can relax knowing that their casual Christmas includes disposable tableware. Here's how to make it easy on yourself. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Purchase matching disposable cups, plates and napkins with a Christmas design or a solid color such as red, green or white.

2

Purchase a disposable tablecloth that matches or complements the dishes. If you go with a solid-white paper tablecloth, you can give guests a crayon for doodling on it.

3

Purchase disposable utensils if desired. But remember that these can be flimsy, and metal utensils aren't that much of a cleanup problem.

4

Dress up your tablecloth with a "runner" of paper-doll style snowmen (cut them from gift-wrap paper or butcher or craft paper). Or you or the kids can cut a bunch of snowflakes that you can use as doilies down the center of the table and under each plate.

5

Use smaller paper snowmen or snowflakes as coasters.

6

Make an easy centerpiece that consists of a collection of satin-wrapped Christmas balls dropped into a basket, or a poinsettia plunked oh-so-easy onto the dining table. Other alternatives might be to use a child's Christmas project (that gingerbread house from school) or a large pillar candle set in an artificial wreath.