You may have your holiday menu all planned out but have you thought about decorating the table to add a little extra pizazz to the occasion? Don't panic: this doesn't mean you need to rush out to your local arts and crafts supply store and stock up on doilies and candelabras. Why not decorate your holiday table with objects you may already have around the house?
Items like fall foliage, pine cones and flowers make great natural centerpieces. Use those porcelain or crystal serving bowls that are probably sitting on a shelf collecting dust to hold colorful gourds or an array of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Grab some of the ribbon in your gift wrapping stash to wrap around candles or to tie together a bunch of twigs or flowers.
Use wine corks to create place card holders or find some colorful leaves and write your guests' names directly on them with a marker.
This article appears in Nov 18-24, 2010.