Tablescaping DIY; Napkin Rings, What, Where and How

January 11, 2023 by Beth Wilson in Tablescapes

Everything You Need to Know About Napkin Rings: Uses, Types, and Selecting the Right Ones.

Napkin rings are small, usually decorative rings that are a great addition to table decor and a wonderful addition to the dining table setting. They are a perfect addition to the tablescape to help carry out the theme of the table setting. In history the napkin ring was a functional and decorative way of keeping cloth napkins neat and organized and specific to each guest at the dining table. Typically, each person at the table was given their own personalized ring to use during meals, allowing them to easily identify which napkin ring and napkin was theirs. When the napkin was still relatively clean after the meal, it was a place to return your napkin back to, to identify it as yours. Sometimes rings would even hold the guest’s individual salt, poison testing, and other material they would need for dinner. More recently napkin rings are typically uniform in style and decorative in purpose. They can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, or wood.

Why use napkin rings

Napkin rings have a variety of purposes, the most common of which is to keep the napkin from falling off the table. They can also be used to identify which side of the napkin is meant to face up on the plate, as well as a way to decorate the table setting.

This bumblebee napkin ring adds a touch of whimsy to this Bumblebee Tablescape and it is a perfect match for the bumblebee cloth napkin. More information about this tablescape here.

This gold shamrock napkin ring was a great addition to this tablescape. I found the tablecloth first and then searched for gold shamrock napkin rings and got lucky. More information about this St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape here.

These black and white polka dot napkin rings match one of the pumpkins on the tablecloth. I bought them a few years ago because I love polka dots. It was serendipity that they matched part of this Halloween tablecloth that I found. More information about this Halloween tablescape here.

How to select the right napkin ring for your needs

Napkin rings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Here are a few tips on how to select the right napkin ring for you.

When I started tablescaping I bought napkin rings in all the primary colors slowly over time so I would have the colors that I needed. I knew I would be able to use them over and over again. More information about this Fall tablescape here.

What purpose does the napkin ring serve?

Should the napkin ring be small and simple, placed on the side of the plate to hold utensils and napkins in place; or a decorative piece front and center on the plate?

For this sea shell tablescape I decided to fold the napkin around the shell salad and dinner plates and add the napkin ring. More information about this sea shell tablescape here.

Sometimes when you can’t find the napkin ring that you need to match your tablescape you can just fold the napkin beside the plate and go without a napkin ring. More information about this St. Patrick’s Day tablescape here.

What is your budget?

When thinking about a napkin ring collection, consider your budget. I probably go a little overboard because I really enjoy using different napkin rings for each of the tablescapes that I create. Napkin rings can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on their type and material. Choose something that fits within your budget without sacrificing quality. Remember that you will be using the napkin rings year after year so that sometimes makes the price more easy to digest. Finally, take into account the style of your table setting, and choose a napkin ring that will complement it nicely. There are a wide range of options available so you are sure to find something that matches your taste and tablescape theme.

I love how this vintage peppermint stick napkin ring matches the theme of this Peppermint Candy Christmas tablescape, more information about it all here.

How to store napkin rings

Napkin rings can be a fun and easy way to add a touch of personality to your table setting, but they can also be difficult to store. Here are a few tips on how to store napkin rings so that you can keep them handy when you need them. If you are not using your napkin rings regularly, it is best to keep them in a craft or storage box. This will protect them from becoming bent or damaged. If you plan on using them often, it is best to purchase a ring holder. This will keep them organized and easy to find when you need them. I use clear shoe box sized plastic containers and I label the end. I like them because I can see what is inside. We bought the containers on Amazon and at The Container Store. If I were a perfectionist I would create and print out labels to use but I just wanted to get them organized quickly so I could find things and I just wrote on the end of the boxes. Before they were scattered all over the house and I wasted a lot of time looking for them. The containers are arranged by holiday, theme, or color. I have inventoried all of these napkin rings and place card holders. Each one has a photo and a record of how many I have. I have the photos and information stored in folders on my computer. The folders are arranged by holiday, theme, or color. I can easily look at the photos and think about the tablescape that I want to create.

This rattan napkin ring works well with an informal Fall tablescape especially when you have a rattan charger on the table as well. You can find more information abou this Fall tablescape here.

Different types of napkin rings available on the market today

Napkin rings come in all shapes and sizes, and are made from a variety of materials. Here are some of the most common types of napkin rings available on the market today.

wooden napkin rings
metal napkin rings
plastic napkin rings
beaded napkin rings
gemstone napkin rings
novelty napkin rings
leather napkin rings

I only have a couple beaded napkin ring sets but this beaded butterfly napkin ring is a favorite. For several years if I found a napkin ring that was more expensive I bought a few at a time over a period of time until I had the number that I needed. There is more information about this beaded butterfly napkin ring and this table setting here.

I love this red leather napkin ring. It was one of the first napkin ring sets that I bought when I started tablescaping. I really like the simple design, more information about these napkin rings and this tablescape here.

Where to find unique and stylish napkin rings

If you're looking for something a little different when it comes to napkin rings, you might want to check out some of the more unique and stylish options available online. Here are a few places to start your search. I usually buy my napkin rings online after I do a Google search by subject. Etsy is a great place to find handmade napkin rings in all shapes and sizes. You can find everything from simple wooden rings to ornate metal designs. Amazon has a large selection of both traditional and novelty napkin rings, as well as a wide variety of materials and prices. I love finding vintage napkin rings and I often find unique designs on Ebay. I actually buy my napkin rings from all over the Internet, a Google search turns up lots of different sources for great napkin rings.

Sometimes I find a napkin ring that is just perfect for my napkin ring collection and I must have it. I love this silver colored skull napkin ring. Halloween tablescapes are some of my favorite tablescapes to create and when I find the right elements like this skull napkin ring it makes the table setting so much more fun to create. You can find more information about this Skulls Halloween tablescape here.

I created a Farm Animals tablescape this last summer and I found farm animal napkin rings, mostly on Ebay. Each place setting had a different farm animal. I just love these cow napkin rings! More information about this tablescape can be found here.

DIY Napkin Rings

Unique napkin rings can be hard to come by, but they don't have to be expensive. In fact, you can make your own napkin rings with a few simple supplies and a little bit of creativity. Here are some tips on how to make napkin rings on a budget.

Use materials that you already have around the house and a hot glue gun to create one for any occasion. There are tons of materials that can be used for DIY napkin rings, including beads, stones, wire, and even old jewelry.
Get creative with your designs. There are no rules when it comes to making DIY napkin rings - so get creative and have fun with it!
Use recycled materials whenever possible. Not only is recycling good for the environment, but it can also save you money on supplies.
Try out different techniques until you find one that you like best. There are lots of different ways to make DIY napkin rings, so experiment until you find one that's right for you.

I had bought these small crabs on Ebay to use as table scatter on a crab themed tablescape a few years ago but they were shiny red when they arrived. Hubby was going to spray paint them orange-red for me so I could use them as scatter on this table setting. My daughter was visiting and I was telling her about my bad luck finding napkin rings and she suggested that I turn these small crabs into napkin rings, genius! So Hubby bought plain wood rings and spray painted the crabs and the rings and we glued the crabs to the rings and suddenly, cheap napkin rings! Any small object can be glued to a wooden or metal ring to create a simple and easy napkin ring. If the color is wrong it is easy to use spray paint to create the color you need. For more information and photos of this crab themed tablescape please click here.

I was working on a tablescape with a travel theme and I wanted napkin rings with maps or flags and I couldn’t find anything close to that. I finally found some pins with country flags on them and I just temporarily attached them to a simple black napkin ring that I had with Sticky Putty. If you go to a hardware store and wander the aisles you can find many different materials that can be turned into napkin rings, all kinds of rings, pipe, and square objects with holes are available. Small plastic items can be found on Ebay or Oriental Traders online or at any party supply store. For more information and photos of this tablescape, please click here.

I was working on a John Deere tractor and farming themed table setting and I couldn’t find any napkin rings that fit the tractor theme anywhere. I finally looked on Etsy for some John Deere scrapbook paper to buy and download. I found exactly what I needed and then we cut it and taped it to a simple napkin ring I already had. Using this technique the possibilites are endless! You could actually recycle the same napkin ring over and over many different times for different themes (or different colors too). To see more information and photos of this tablescape, please click here.

To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Table Settings and Tablescape Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Table Settings and Tablescape Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We had a gathering for tablescapers in January in the Los Angeles area and hope to have others as well.

Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks.

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

Cardinals on a Winter Tablescape

January 09, 2023 by Beth Wilson in Tablescapes

I started thinking about this Red Cardinals tablescape a couple of years ago and it took a while to find everything that I needed. I started by looking for a Red Cardinal centerpiece and a Red Cardinal salad plate. I didn’t find either of those elements until last year. I was planning on a solid color tablecloth that I already had until I found this Red Cardinal tablecloth on Amazon last year. Developing themes for January tablescapes can be challenging sometimes and I am pleased with this Winter theme tablescape.

Lenox Winter Greetings Cardinal Plate

I was Googling red cardinal salad plate and I didn’t like any of the plates I found until these popped up on Wayfair a few years ago. They are actually appetizer plates and I added another plate to the plate stack so the sizes would look better stacked together. These plates were made by Lenox and they are called Winter Greetings, Cardinal Party Plates.

Fiesta Scarlet Salad Plate

I used our everyday dishes on this tablescape. This is a Fiesta Scarlet Salad Plate. I love the bright red color of these plates. We bought them at Macy’s when we remodeled our kitchen a few years ago. The kitchen is white with red accents. You can read my blog post about what to consider when you are buying salad plates here.

Fiesta Scarlet Dinner Plate

This is the Fiesta Scarlet dinner plate. We use them every day. You can read about what you need to think about when you are buying dinner plates here.

Mikasa Color Spectrum Hunter Green Charger

I love these chargers, I have them in several colors. I bought them several years ago a few at a time as I found them on Ebay. They were made by Mikasa and the pattern was called Color Spectrum, the color is Hunter Green. They have been discontinued but I really love the size, design and shape.

D & D Inox Roma Red Flatware

This red flatware set is made by D & D Inox in Italy and the pattern is called Roma. I bought them at Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales during a major sale several years ago. There are similar patterns available online now. I really like the marbleized design on the handles. You can read my blog post about what to consider when you are buying flatware here.

These metal red cardinal napkin rings came from Country Village Shoppe online a few years ago. They were a dark red but Hubby painted them a brighter red for me. The polyester white napkins came from Tablecloths Factory online last year. I discovered that I have several different white napkin sets but no simple white polyester napkins so I bought these.

I knew I probably couldn’t find red cardinal place card holders so I started looking for small red cardinals that I could use instead. I found these wood red cardinals at Hobby Lobby last year. They were ornaments and they had a flat bottom so they could stand alone. I removed the ornament hook.

Waterford Marquis Brookside Red Goblets

I used my red Waterford Marquis Brookside goblets on this tablescape only this time I added the matching red iced teas too. I really love this glassware. It is well made, heavy, and a true red color. I bought the goblets at HomeGoods several years ago and I liked them so much that I slowly added the matching iced teas to my collection as I found them. You can read my blog post about what to consider when you are buying goblets for your tablescaping collection including the goblet colors that I use the most often here.

I really love the way this centerpiece turned out. I found the resin red cardinal at Hobby Lobby last year but it looked too plain on the table by itself so I cut down a wreath I had, made the circle smaller, and added it around the cardinal. The red berries match the red berries on the tablecloth.

I bought these red cardinal salt and pepper sets at Hobby Lobby last year.

It took awhile to find everything for this tablescape but I really like how it turned out.

To see over 260 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We are planning a gathering for tablescapers in January in the Los Angeles area..

Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks.

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

Poinsettias on a Winter Tablescape

January 02, 2023 by Beth Wilson in Tablescapes

I am sentimental about poinsettias. My mother loved them and I always think of her when it is poinsettia season. I found this Ralph Lauren poinsettia tablecloth at HomeGoods several years ago. I have posted two other poinsettia and winter tablescapes in the past but I have never used this tablecloth until now. It is a heavy cotton broadcloth material and it is easy to iron. I love the scattered poinsettias design on it.

Andrea by Sadek Poinsettia Plate

I found this red poinsettia salad plate at HomeGoods several years ago and it had to come home with me. It is marked Andrea by Sadek. It is a true red color and I love the way it looks sitting on this white plate.

I bought these Fiesta white dinner plates in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago. They were 30% off, an unusual sale for Fiesta. I couldn’t resist them because I only have one other basic white dinner plate in my dish collection and it is a larger size than this one. i needed a smaller size and I know I will be using them often.

Juliska Ruby Berry and Thread Charger

This red charger was made by Juliska and the pattern was called Ruby Berry and Thread. Several years ago, while I was still working, I bought these chargers a few at a time over several months from various places online until I had the number I needed. I don’t think they are in production now. I like the simple design on the rim and they are a bit larger than some of the other chargers that I have. They are a deeper red than my other red chargers.

Cambridge Frosted White Flatware

I bought this frosted white flatware on sale online at Wayfair a few years ago, it was made by Cambridge. It is 18/0 so the fork tines are a bit sharper than I would like but I really liked the frosted color. It was difficult to find white flatware that was well made so I was really glad to find this flatware set.

Ralph Lauren Poinsettia Tablecloth

When I found this Ralph Lauren tablecloth at HomeGoods several years ago I also found the same tablecloth in the opposite colors and I bought that one as well and these napkins to match it. Although the reds look like different shades in this photo, they are almost the same color. HomeGoods used to have a great selection of inexpensive tablecloths but now they seem to only carry neutral colors that are a bit boring. I have had these dark red ceramic napkin rings for several years. I can’t remember where I found them. One thing that I have learned while tablescaping is how different color shades can be. Sometimes I buy something that I think will match something that I already have and it is a totally different shade that won’t work.

I bought these poinsettia place card holders online at Oriental Trading several years ago. I have bought place card holders on that site before, more than once.

Waterford Marquis Brookside Red Goblet

I am using my red Waterford Marquis Brookside goblets on this tablescape only this time I added the matching red iced teas too. I really love this glassware. It is well made, heavy, and a true red color. I bought the goblets at HomeGoods several years ago and I liked them so much that I slowly added the matching iced teas to my collection as I found them.

I knew that I wanted a vase of red poinsettias to use as a centerpiece for this tablescape. I found these faux poinsettias on sale at Michael’s a couple of years ago. This large white pottery vase is one of a pair of vases that I inherited from my mother. She received them as a wedding present in 1938. Because of her love for poinsettias it seemed fitting to use her vase on this table setting.

Mosser Glass Red Salt and Pepper Set

I decided to add a Mosser Glass red salt and pepper set to this Poinsettia tablescape. I bought this set online at The Vermont Country Store last year. The Mosser Glass Company was established in 1971 and it is located in Cambridge, Ohio. They sell high quality American made glassware and I love their products. I have a few sets of their goblets and a few cake stands too. If you read my blog you have seen their goblets on some of my tablescapes.

Avon Cape Cod Salt and Pepper Set

I can’t remember where I found this dark red glass salt and pepper set but it was probably Ebay a few years ago. They were made by Avon and they were part of their Cape Cod collection.

This is the tablescape that I did using the tablecloth that is the opposite colors of this tablescape tablecloth. You can read more information about this tablescape here.

I used the same poinsettia salad plate on this tablescape but it has a totally different look, more information about this tablescape here.

To see 260+ tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my Tablescape Ideas group! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape Ideas. Don’t miss my Tablescaping How-To section at the top of this blog post for more tablescaping tips and tricks.

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week so please check back!

Tablescaping DIY; Place Card Holders, What, Where, and When

December 27, 2022 by Beth Wilson in Tablescapes

Everything you need to know about place card holders

Place card holders are a great way to add a personal touch to your dining event. They can also be used to help direct your guests to their seats. Here is a guide on how to create and use place cards for your next dining event and where you can find them.

Tips on setting up the table for a dinner party with place cards

Start by designating one end of the table as the head of the table. This is where your guests will sit who are hosting the party. Next, determine where each guest will sit. If you have an even number of guests, simply put them in pairs and alternate their placement around the table. For more information about this Valentine’s Day place card holder and this Valentine’s Day tablescape please click here.

If you have an odd number of guests, place the extra person at the head of the table. Once you’ve determined where each guest will sit, it’s time to start setting up the place cards. More information about this stacked dice place card holder and this Playing Card Tablescape here.

While you are looking for place card holders keep in mind that whatever you find can sometimes be painted another color if needed. This metal pine tree place card holder was black when I bought it but Hubby painted it forest green for me. More information about this pine tree place card holder and this Winter Pine Trees tablescape here.

If you’re making your own place cards, print out each guest's name on a small card and then attach it to the front of their respective place card holder. More information about this Black Widow Spider place card holder and this Black Widow Spider tablescape here.

Alternately, if you’re using pre-made place cards, all you need to do is take out each card and set it in front of its corresponding seat at the table.

Place card holders provide formality and personalization

At a dinner party, guests are typically assigned seats according to their relationship to the host. This practice helps create a sense of formality and order at the table. It also ensures that everyone has an opportunity to converse with one another. Placing guests in assigned seats also allows the host to control the conversation by seating people who they want to talk to together. The easiest way to nudge your guests to sit where you want them is to literally put their names on the table. A simple gold place card holder is a good addition to your tablescaping collection. Read more about this place card holder and Old Country Rose Tablescape here.

From formal wedding to personal

To take the edge off of getting forced to sit in your assigned seat, I love the idea of making place card holders into favors. Although I don't often do this for the tablescapes I post on my blog (since I like to reuse my place card holders). Making place cards into favors is a great way to show your guests how much you appreciate them coming to your house. You can either make simple place card holders out of materials like paper or metal, or get creative and make something more elaborate like a miniature photo album or bookmark. At the last wedding I attended the wedding place cards were all custom chocolates that each guest could take to remember the big day. Sometimes themed party favor boxes can be used as place card holders to help carry out your theme. This simple decorated box can be written on or a place card can be leaned against it. More information about this place card holder and this 4th of July Celebration Tablescape here.

How to find place card holders

There are many different ways to make or find place card holders for your next event. Here are a few ideas to get you started. This palm trees place card holder is actually a group of two small plastic trees that I purchased online from a party supply site. I am constantly looking for small items that I can use as place card holders even though they weren’t made for that function. Also when I have a theme in mind I do a google search for the theme and the word place card holder and often something pops up that I can use. If you're looking for something elaborate, you can find creative place card holders online or in specialty stores. Some popular places to find these holders include wedding stores online, craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s, and online retailers like Etsy and Ebay. I love looking for vintage place card holders because they are so unique. For more information about this place card holder and this Palm Trees Summer Tablescape, please click here.

A simple clear crystal glass place card holder is a great addition to your place card holder collection. I like them because they pick up the color of the tablecloth when you don’t have a place card holder that is the right color. This was a special Waterford Crystal St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape that I created. More information about this place card holder and that tablescape here.

This crystal box place card holder can also be used as the base for a small item to sit on. More information about this small Santa that I used as a place card holder and this Santa on a Christmas Tablescape that it was a part of here.

Write-On place card holders are available and can easily be reused over and over. More information about this write-on pumpkin place card holder and this Pumpkins on a Fall Tablescape here.

I found these colorful butterflies online. They are not really place card holders but they have wires on the back that I bent into a stand for them. I knew the place card would slide in front of the antennae. More information about these butterfly place card holders and this Butterflies on a Spring Tablescape here.

These plastic black cat place card holders are magnetic. Such a clever design, it looks like they just cut a small plastic cat in half and glued a magnet to each side. More information about this black cat place card holder and this Black Cat Halloween tablescape here.

There are so many wonderful place card holders available for your tablescapes and they can add so much to the illustration of your table theme. This music stand place card holder is one of my favorites. More information about it and this Musical Tablescape here.

Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks.

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!