Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table on a Budget

Disclosure:  I am participating in a Holiday campaign for AARP Services, Inc. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I am in no way affiliated with AARP Services Inc. and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. I only blog about brands and services I trust. 

Are you hosting a dinner party this holiday season? Hosting parties can often be stressful, but there is a stress-free way to set a beautiful table and stay within your budget. Whether your hosting style is casually elegant or over the top glitz and glamour, a budget-friendly tablescape is within reach. Two lucky people won't have to worry about a budget for their holiday table, but I'll have more on the awesome $500 American Express Gift Card giveaway at the end of this post. Let's get started on a beautiful holiday table setting... 

Below are my top five hosting tips that will impress your guests and also help you stick to your budget:

Tip 1: Start with a simple white tablecloth that can be used all year round. In the long run, it saves money and offers the most versatility. Think of white as a clean slate for adding color or keeping it neutral. 

  

Tip 2: Mix high and low priced items on your table. Visit thrift stores for candlesticks, glasses and serving ware, and shop post-holiday clearance for charger plates and dinner plates. A few years ago, I purchased the white dishes shown throughout this post at a whopping 90% off after Christmas sale! It goes to show you CAN indeed have a beautiful table on any budget. 

During the holiday season, AARP is sharing the love and savings with its members. AARP members get access to GREAT discounts from retailers across the country. One of my favorites is 1-800-Flowers.com! There is nothing quite like fresh flowers to make an entire room come alive and a tablescape look stunning! Best of all, AARP members receive 20% off beautiful holiday bouquets from 1-800-Flowers.com! I'm obsessed with the floral Holiday tree below, and I'll bet it smells as beautiful as it looks! 

AARP members also save 20% on Harry & David Gourmet Gifts. For more than 80 years, Harry & David has been growing Royal Riviera® Pears.  It has become a tradition to send the pears to our special friends and clients. I also order a box or two for us to enjoy! 

Tip 3: Fresh fruit adds a splash of color and texture to your table. Yum! Your guests will be tempted to sink their teeth into Mother Nature's sweet and juicy decoration. 

If you are someone who likes to jump straight to dessert, then you will love the AARP offer for Cheryl's where you can save 25% on cookies and treats! Your guests will be delighted when you bring out coffee and yummy treats from Cheryl's, and you'll be delighted that you didn't have to fuss with baking.

Tip 4: Create your own napkin rings. Use festive ribbon to create beautiful napkin rings that sparkle (see below). The ribbon napkin rings are super-fast and easy to make. Simply use the ribbon to measure the circumference of the napkin, cut the ribbon, and staple. Add greenery for color and voila! The elegant napkin holders will cost you pennies on the dollar!

Tip 5:  Holiday bulbs.  Ornaments are another easy way to add a festive touch to your tablescape. Randomly place bulbs in the center of your table to add a burst of color and brilliant shine.  

The GIVEAWAY has ended.

Wouldn't the holidays be sweeter with an extra $500? 

Enter the How Do You Holiday Sweepstakes at OneFrontPorch.com and you may be one of the TWO lucky people who have a chance to

WIN a $500 AMERICAN EXPRESS GIFT CARD!

Good Luck and Happy Holidays!