Click the link below to see our morning holiday table setting ideas video – just in case you missed it bright and early at 5:50 am.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community&id=7845466

Want more DIY details?

As seen on ABC7 News:

Look no further than your own back yard for the season’s natural, organic, woodsy holiday decor trends.

Pinecones, Branches, Barks, Ivies and so much more are just steps away from our back doors – making tabletop decor easy, quick and affordable.

If you don’t have a backyard – explore the neighborhood, parks, the lakefront, and all of our natural public areas and make it a family scavenger hunt to find branches, pinecones, and more.

This tabletop has been in the window at A Perfect Event for a few weeks, and everyone is asking how to create it at home.  So today I am sharing my three expert tips and trends for all your upcoming holiday celebration tablesettings.

Step 1 – Create a color palette for the tabletop – really for the entire party – with three complimentary colors.

This is a designer secret tip – so the tabletop and party decor and details have couture, chic design trends incorporated.

I love this natural belgian sack cloth linen, which creates a soft, organic, natural base. It is easily accented with silver, gold and sage for a woodsy, winter wonderland.

Step 2 – Create a collection on the table right from the backyard – layering in textures, elements, and sparkly accents for lots of drama.

Another designer secret is to add a hint of winter snow with scatter snow sprinkled about – or even paint – which is fast and easy to sponge or spray on as needed.

And best of all – this entire tablescape can dress the table through the winter season – January, February…making it very repurposed and long lasting.

Once March hits you can pack it all up – store it in a crate – and bring it back out next year – making it doubly green indeed.

Step 3 – Preset the table with everything you will need for the party – so you can relax, and spend time with guests once they arrive as well as a few special, personalized touches and detail to show off your personal style.

Charger plates always add sparkle and a festive touch – making the placesetting more formal and elegant. We sell these gold embossed mock croc chargers at A Perfect Event, and they are perfectly versatile for absolutely any holiday throughout the year long.

Napkins can have a stylish, fashionable touch at each setting. I love this long, hanging fold, adding a nice splash of color to the tabletop. These are from Windy City Linens, and they deliver right to your doorstep, making last minute holiday entertaining a breeze.

A stylish secret is to set a pretty, personalized favor at each setting – adding that thoughtful touch for guests to see all the care and planning put into the occasion, and also help guide seating once guests arrive.  I love these acrylic cylinders from Southport Grocery, filled with talented owner Lisa’s family Christmas cookie recipes.  Darling!

This serves as yet another “green” decor idea – as the favor also doubles as the placecard.

We designed a custom label, using our computer, with an ink in our sage color palette and printed each guests’s name inside the border.  Matching menus were designed and printed on heavy white coverstock, to coordinate to the favors/placecards.

Your plate ontop should be selected to hold the first course served – a salad plate, or the entree if planned. If you don’t own enough plates for entertaining – rentals are just a phone call away. These are from Tablescapes Party Rental in the West Loop.

Glasses again should be selected to hold all drinks on the menu – champagne, wine paired with courses and of course water with a fresh slice of lemon. I love adding a garnish for drama – here a simple sliced starfruit from the grocery – already shaped and ready to accent the glass.

Now, all that’s left to do is this – let’s raise a glass to the bounties of our backyards – bringing a natural elegance to the table this season.

-Debi Lilly, aperfectevent.com