If the theme is a holiday, choose colors that correspond with that holiday. For example, if it is a Christmas buffet, use decorations that are red, green, and gold.
Some other ideas for table decorations, depending on your theme, are ribbons or seashells.
Also, avoid sprinkling the table with glitter or other non-edible decorations, as these often end up on people’s plates or in their mouths.
Consider oversized cloth napkins in colors that match your theme. For a more casual buffet, paper napkins are just fine. No matter what, supply plenty of spare napkins in case of a mess. Table runners should hang about 6 inches (15 cm) down the table on both sides.
Write whether a dish is vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free on the label, beneath the name of the dish.
Provide all of the utensils that will be needed for the food you’re serving. For example, don’t forget the soup spoons if you’re serving soup!
At this stage, adjust anything that needs to be fixed and remove any decorations that are cumbersome or unattractive.
Place all the serving dishes that will be used on the table as you decorate. This will help to ensure that you have enough space for everything that needs to be on the table.
