By taking an antique ironstone compote and arranging fresh holiday greens, hydrangeas, fruits, a few vegetables and ivy from the garden, it goes from every day to an "old world" lavish centerpiece for your buffet. {buy florist foam, soak it in water, and simply stick the greens and flowers in. Gently place a few fruits on your arrangement.}

2. Mix it up! To make the table visually interesting, I never use just one set of dishes. Using an assortment of plates, bowls and glasses adds fun and creativity to your table. This is the perfect time to mix and match, just stack up your plates and platters and begin setting the table. Antique, vintage, and new, it all combines to make a happily mis-matched Christmas themed table. Silverware is often quite inexpensive if you buy single pieces at an antique store or fleamarket. Mix up the forks, knives and spoons, it's a great way to set your holiday table and can become a fun topic of conversation during dinner.

3. All that glitters. Bring out the dishes you "inherited" from your grandmother or mom. Holiday is the time to use those dishes that you most likely wouldn't, for every day. Gold, silver, fancy and over the top, this is the time to use it. Add some old glass jars filled with vintage ornaments, scatter some votives here and there for extra sparks of light, and your brilliant holiday table is ready. Simple. Easy. And your Mom will be so proud!

4. Tie it up. Ribbon brings instant color and charm to your holiday tables. Brighten up a plain white tablecloth with a few lengths of colorful ribbon. Tie up a little favor with the same ribbon at each place setting, or tie a bow around each chair back. So inexpensive, warm and cheerful.

5. Botanical splendor. Collect greens, ivy, pinecones and branches from your garden, or from a walk in the woods. Used in your centerpieces, they are not only gorgeous, they are free! Twine vines into a wreath base, add moss, place over a group of candles and you have a glorious, natural centerpiece.

6. Do the unexpected. Not a fan of traditional? Make your holiday table shine in an unexpected holiday color. Add simple glass ornaments, tags that spell out "Merry Christmas" and give little favors with a modern tweak. Any color is a holiday color, pick the one you love.

7. Stack and layer. To give your table loads of drama, add height. Stack several garden baskets on top of each other, and fill each layer with a different filler. Put a few books in the center of your table, and place your floral arrangement on top. Place your serving piece on top of a stack of plates, different levels add interest, and draw your eye to each element.

8. Apples and Oranges and Brussels Sprouts. Enjoy nature's bounty by incorporating fruits and vegetables into your centerpiece and accents. A basket of apples, a planter brought inside and filled with oranges and lemons, each one is not only a lovely centerpiece, they can be enjoyed as a part of the meal by your guests too! Raid the fridge and sprinkle a row of bright green brussels sprouts down the center of your table, or add asparagus spears to a floral arrangement.

Truly my best tip for the holiday season is this: the true joy of the holiday season and entertaining is not about perfect tables. No one visits you for a perfect table, they come to see you and your family, to laugh, to share, and to enjoy time together. Set your table with style, then enjoy!  ~Lidy