CREATE TABLESCAPE PLACE CARDS

It’s the details that give your tablescape extra sparkle and charm. These easy citrus place cards will be a simple and fun addition to your table.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Leaf stencil or cutting machine

• Pencil and scissors

• Green paper

• Calligraphy pen in contrasting color of your choice

• Oranges, one per guest

• Kitchen knife

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

1. If you don’t have a leaf stencil: You can make your own. Use a pencil to sketch the shape of a leaf on a piece of scratch paper. For better uniformity of shape, fold the paper in half to form a straight crease; then draw an arc on one side. Or download a leaf shape online and cut it out to use as your template.

2. With a pencil, trace the template or stencil onto the green paper for as many place cards as you need; then cut them out. Alternately, if you have a cutting machine such as Cricut, use it to cut out the leaf shapes. Don’t forget to make a few extras in case you make a mistake later on.

3. With the calligraphy pen, write the name of a guest on each leaf. If this is a larger gathering, such as a wedding, add the table number as well. Using a metallic shade like silver or gold is usually the best option, as it provides good contrast to the green leaf and adds some sparkle.

4. With your kitchen knife, cut a small, shallow slit into the side of each orange. Make sure you know how each orange will sit on the table (without rolling) so you can cut the slit toward the top.

5. Insert the place card into the slit. You may want to trim off the leaf tip on the side you insert so the paper doesn’t soak up any orange juice and get soggy.

(below) Creative elements like the cute place card leaves enhance the theme and add another level of fun as well as cohesion to the overall design. Soft-pink fine China plates, muted gold tableware and crystal glasses give a sophisticated and elegant feel. “Every detail kept with our theme while also keeping with the romantic and simplistic style,” Sarah says.

(above) Having a theme for your tablescape means finding fun and unique ways to decorate. “Stick with your theme,” Sarah says. “Have your overall vision and keep adding to it. Add all the elements on your own dining table to see what it needs, and go from there. It can all be very overwhelming, but as a visual person, I’ve found this helps me a lot.”