Use pretty potted flowers for a centerpiece – either one large pot or several smaller pots with different flowers and/or herbs.  A potted plant works especially well for a party in the garden or any outdoor event, and will last longer than fresh-cut flowers.  Tie ribbons around the pot for added interest.  For a shower or birthday party, place a colored napkin under one plate on each table and let the guest who chooses that seat take the centerpiece home.

Photo Credit:  Flowers Quata (potted Hydrangeas)

No need to order a fancy arrangement from a floral shop.  Making a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece isn’t as hard as it looks.  Here’s how:  Buy 3 bunches of flowers, choosing fall colored flowers in coordinating shades, and make sure each bunch provides a varying texture to the arrangement.  Start by holding three of the bushiest or tallest flowers (same type), and begin gathering the other stems, one by one, in a vaguely symetrical pattern around the center stems.  Continue until you have used all the stems (or save a few for a small bed-side arrangement).  Trim stems at an angle under cold running water, and place in a vase filled with sugar water.

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/nov09_TheDinnerParty.htm

Creating a centerpiece for a fall dinner is as easy as picking up a bag of mini pumpkins at the grocery store or farmer’s market. These adorable miniature pumpkins – the most common are Jack-Be-Little or Baby Boo – are inexpensive and hearty enough to last for weeks. Place the pumpkins on a simple cake stand or platter and pile them high. Tuck fresh leaves or cut branches of fall berries in empty spaces for a finished look. For a more modern version, use a white rectangular platter and place an odd number of pumpkins in a straight line, alternating with tea lights.

Soak herbs in a bowl or sink full of cold water to clean and revive them.  Spin the herbs dry in your salad spinner or secure stems with a rubber band and hang them upside down to dry. Be sure to dry the leaves completely to extend the life of the herbs. Most herbs, other than basil, last longer if store in the refrigerator and the leaves are loosely covered with an empty plastic bag.

Even if you live in a city, you can still have your own patch of grass to play with this Easter.  Use wheatgrass or another potted grass for indoor decorating.  It’s a simple, modern look perfect for this spring holiday.  Scatter some speckled candy easter eggs in the grass or hide chocolate bunnies for a festive look.  Spring flowers are beautiful, but this centerpiece is a little unexpected and will last long after the holiday. 

Wheatgrass may be available at your local farmer’s market or from a florist (most can get it by special order if they don’t stock it).  Health food stores, both large and small, usually carry wheatgrass.  If you can’t find any in your area order some online and have it delivered right to your door. 

Happy Easter!

It may not seem like spring is in the air, but daffodils are already in season.  Celebrate the beginning of spring by picking up a bunch this weekend.  Use them as a centerpiece for brunch or to perk up your dinner table.  For about $3 per bunch, these recession-friendly flowers are sure to put a smile on your face. 

Hip Tips:

• Daffodils look fresh and modern in a square or rectangular clear glass vase.  Their long, thin stems look great on their own, or you could fill the bottom of the vase with rocks for an earthier look.
• Keep daffodils in a separate vase and don’t mix them with other flowers.  Not only do they make more of an impact on their own, daffodils also emit a sap that causes other flowers to wilt (especially tulips). 
• Daffodils usually last 2-3 days.  They can last longer with a little extra care.  Snip the ends under cold, running water and immediately put them in water.  Keep them in a cool place away from direct heat and sunlight.  Put daffodils in the refrigerator overnight (in a vase) and cover with a loose plastic bag (reuse a plastic produce bag or a large ziplock).

Flowers can take up a big chunk of your budget – whether you are buying them for a bridal shower or for your wedding reception.  A great way to decorate your table and save on flowers is to use mini place card vases at each setting.  Have your florist make mini arrangements for you or, if you are looking to save even more, buy an assortment of flowers from a wholesale florist and make your own mini arrangements.  If you would prefer not to have to worry about arranging flowers, buy a single type of flower and put one or three blooms (odd number look best) in each vase.  Place the flowers in mini vases that have a holder for place cards and your table will look amazing without costing a fortune.  Opt for a candle arrangement as your centerpiece instead of using more flowers since your table will already be in full bloom. 

An added bonus – use your mini vases as favors for your guest to take home.  Print a quote on the back of each place card so guests can display something other than their name after they take the vase home.   

Savings:  Lets say a typical centerpiece costs an average of $175 per table - they can obviously be hundreds more or a little less.  Instead, with 8 settings per table you spend $28 on place card vases (average of $3.50/ vase, shipping included) and $30 per 2 bunches of flowers (less if using in-season, basic flowers or a single stem per vase), which will be more than enough to fill 8 mini vases.  You spend an average of $58 per table if you use the mini vases.  A savings of over $100 per table.  You’ll still have the costs of a candle arrangement for the center of the table, but candles are often available from your venue or you can rent candelabras from a party rental company.   

 *These place card vases are great for any type of party – a Bar Mitzvah, Easter, Mother’s Day or a birthday dinner.

Place card vases are available at:

Ross-Simons for $35/ set of 12 vases ($2.92 per vase)
http://www.ross-simons.com/products/CTK851.html?freeText=PLACE%20CARD%20VASES&history=

Lillian Vernon for $17/ set of 6 vases or $30/ 2 sets ($2.50 per vase)
http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=3984&name=Clear+Place+Card+Vases+and+Cards+-+Set+of+6&parentCatId=1&catId=65

The Knot for $13/ set of 6 ($2.17 per vase)
http://weddingshop.theknot.com/weddingwarehouse/ProductPage.aspx?scId=Place%20Card%20Holders(KnotShop)&pId=P1401(KnotShop)&cId=Reception(KnotShop)&cTypF=

My Wedding Favors for $25/ set of 8 ($3.13 per vase)
http://www.myweddingfavors.com/vase-placecard.html

Wedding Things for $60 for 36 bud vase/ card combination ($1.66 per vase) – available in more colors/ patterns
http://www.weddingthings.com/product/1369/new_wedding_favors/