Hot Table Preparation How-Tos « Table Preparation

How To: Make a DIY hot air balloon table centerpiece

Party centerpieces are something of a lost art, but this video will show you how to make a really original one quickly and easily. It looks like a hot air balloon, and requires only a basket, a balloon, some ribbon, and flowers.

How To: Make a floral Birthday "cake" table centerpiece

This video describes how to make a "no calorie" birthday cake centerpiece with carnations in soft and sweet hues of pink, yellow, white and cantaloupe. first a flower foam was taken. Then the toothpicks were used to join the flower foam together. Then trace out a circle from the foam using a kitchen knife. Add some water to the base of the cake. With equal size flowers decorate the base of the cake. Then the cake is beautifully covered with different types of flowers. decorate with as many fl...

How To: Box a tablecloth for catered events

Boxing a table doesn't mean getting into the ring, but it does require a certain degree of skill to successfully complete. Boxing the tablecloth is a great technique for any occasion or party, and every caterer should know these moves.

How To: Stuff balloons inside of balloons for party decor

An interesting party decor idea is to place balloons inside other balloons. This can be accomplished easily by first inflating a large balloon. Using a small stick, push a second, smaller balloon inside the larger one and then inflate the smaller balloon while it is inside the larger one. You can then tie up the second balloon, leaving the smaller one inside the large balloon. This can be repeated with multiple small balloons, so your balloons will have a unique and interesting look. This tut...

How To: Fold napkin roll-ups with silverware inside

Folding napkins takes precision, but a simple napkin rollup is the easiest of them all. You don't need to be a professional caterer or waiter to get this method down. Watch and learn how to make a nice, snug, rolled napkin with silverware inside. It's the most common way to present silverware at restaurants.

How To: Make a tall balloon centerpiece for weddings & events

Judy demonstrates how to make a very tall, simple, yet elegant centerpiece for weddings and other events. You first need a tube and a base that it will fit into. Placing the tube in the base, use a hot glue gun to secure the tube into the base. You can then fill up the balloons with air, using an air pump and tie pairs of balloons together. Twisting together four balloons, place the cluster of balloons around the base of the tube. Repeat with an additional 8 balloons and place this cluster at...

How To: Fold napkins the French way

Set a table that’s tres chic by folding your napkins French style. Learn the art of napkin folding, perfect for entertaining guests!

How To: Fold a cloth napkin into the shape of a woman's bra

In this clip, the Napkin Lady shows you how to take an ordinary cloth dinner napkin and fold it into the shape of a brassiere. This clip is quick and easy and you will have everyone at the table laughing in just a few simple steps. This bra napkin design is also great for bachelorette parties, showers and anywhere else where you need a little lighthearted napkin folding!

How To: Make a napkin swan (or napkin peacock)

Need a lavish way to present you napkins at your next big dinner feast? May we suggest napkin swans? Folding a mere dinner napkin into a beautiful swan )or peacock) can take you just minutes, and completes and dinner table. The idea behind the fold is to shape it so that one end looks like a long, languorous tail-feathers of a peacock, but it could look like a swan, too.

How To: Make a budget music note centerpiece

Judy of A-BnC Parties and More, Inc. shows you how to make an economical do it yourself music note centerpiece. Three music notes are attached to wooden dowels which are added to a budget Just Add Sand centerpiece base. The centerpiece is accented with two pieces of onion grass. Add balloons, a table name and table place cards for an economical musical themed music note centerpiece for your Bat Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah, wedding, special event or party!

How To: Use decorative paper napkins to make tile coasters

Check out this DIY video tutorial from Curbly, the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice.

How To: Fold a napkin into a flame (Pliage en flamme)

This video teaches you how to fold a napkin into a flame. Fold a napkin into a flame (Pliage en flamme).

How To: Fold a cloth napkin into a flower

In this Hosting & Entertaining video tutorial you will learn how to fold a cloth napkin into a flower. First fold the napkin in half. Then lift one corner and fold it back up to the center fold line and do the same for the other corner also. Now fold the center point back up to the center fold line. Flip the napkin over and repeat these steps. Then open up the center fold and fold the protruding triangles back up to the center point of the napkin. You now have a square folded napkin. . Now fo...

How To: Remember what sides of the plate cutlery goes on

Rebecca Robeson shows you how to remember which side of the plate to put the fork, knife and spoon. To set a table the correct way, follow these steps: The word 'fork' has four letters, as does the word 'left'. So, the fork goes on the left. The word 'knife' has five letters, as does the word 'right'. So, the knife goes on the right. The word 'spoon' also has fiver letters, so it goes alongside the knife. Remember that the safe side of the knife, the dull side, faces out to anyone sitting nex...

How To: Fold an origami napkin swan for a lavish dinner presentation

Nothing decorates a dinner table better than a napkin swan. It's cute and it makes dinnertime feel like a celebratory event. So, if you want to learn how to make a napkin swan, just follow the folding instructions in the video. Follow along and see what your napkin swan looks like!

How To: Make a seaside inspired floral centerpiece with flowers

It doesn't have to be the middle of summer for you to craft a seaside-inspired centerpiece. Whether you live on the coast or closer to the Grand Canyon and lots of cactii than anything else, you can bring a piece of the sea home by making this craft.

How To: Fold cloth napkins into silverware holders

In this tutorial, we learn how to fold cloth napkins into silverware holders. First, grab a dinner napkin and take the end to fold it in half. Now, fold it in half again so you have a small square. Now, fold the corner down half way and fold it down again. Then, flip it over and repeat this. Then, fold the top over and flip it over again. After this, place your silverware inside of the napkin and you will be ready to set your table! This takes just a few minutes and makes the look of any dinn...

How To: Fold napkins into silverware pouches

Embrace your inner Martha Stewart - and impress friends with your stylish panache at your next dinner party - by folding your napkins into a silverware pouch. Not only is it an easy and beautiful way to present your silverware, but it is also a nice way to avoid having to place silverware all perfectly on the table.

How To: Fold a napkin like a peacock (Pliage paon)

Use the following Gourmandia napkin folding secrets to impress and surprise your guests at private parties, restaurants, weddings and date dining. Learn how to fold a napkin like a peacock. Fold a napkin like a peacock (Pliage paon).

How To: Fold a dinner napkin like a candle

Paper napkins add an element of class to any restaurant or dinner party. In this video, learn how to fold your party napkins into a cool candle shape in less than 60 seconds. Your napkins will be so nice that no one will want to unfold them! So, follow this tutorial and set your next dinner table like a fine dining restaurant and class up the joint!

How To: Fold a napkin into a triangle (Pliage triangle)

Use the following video to fold a napkin into a triangle at your next private party. Fold a napkin into a triangle (Pliage triangle).

How To: French serve a catered dinner as a waiter or waitress

Are you a caterer? Maybe you're a new caterer recently employed as a waiter to help serve a huge dinner party… a dinner party requiring French service. Sounds simple, right? You go around and serve people food. But there's more to it than that. There's a whole technique to French serving, and this video will show how to French serve the right way, from proper foot placement, to bending your back correctly, to serving the food off the plate.

How To: Fold a napkin in a rectangle (Pliage en rectangle)

Folding a napkin into a rectangle is demonstrated in the following video. This will really impress your guests. Fold a napkin in a rectangle (Pliage en rectangle).

How To: Make a sphinx napkin fold

Watch a simple video that shows you how to make a sphinx napkin fold. Interestingly, it looks more like an Egyptian pyramid than the Sphynx! This classic yet stately place setting is sure to add life to any table. Make a sphinx napkin fold.

How To: Keep ants off your picnic table

Don't let ants ruin your next outdoor outing. Picnics are a wonderful way to share yummy food in the great outdoors. Ants think so too! You can keep pesky ants away with just a few simple actions.

How To: Make decorative napkin rings from shower curtain rings

The beauty of home crafting projects is in transforming old junk into something you can use. Host Heather's how-to video shows how to make quick and easy napkin rings to add a little bit of flair to the table. You will need plastic shower curtain rings, clippers, ribbon, rhinestones or any other embellishments, and a hot glue gun. Find out how to make quick and easy napkin rings from old plastic shower curtain rings by watching this video tutorial.

How To: Set the dinner table properly with glass & silverware

A great dinner party is great because of presentation, and you know that everything has its place on the table, but where exactly does everything go? Learn about the placement of everything, from silverware to glassware.

How To: Set the buffet table at your dinner party

Clinton Kelly, the lifestyle expert, shows the right way to ‘Set your Buffet Table’ for a buffet party, in this video. He suggests that all the serving dishes and utensils are laid on the buffet table, the night before the party. This will throw some light and give ideas as to how to place the dishes on the table. You could place the plates on one side of the table, the food at the center and the napkins to the other side. You should also decide the heights of the various serving platters, co...

How To: Set up a dinner buffet

Buffet's are the easiest way to feed a crowd or host an informal party. Make it divine. Setting the buffet takes special skill and attention.

How To: Make a DIY guitar cut-out for a party centerpiece

A-BnC Parties and More, Inc. demonstrates how to construct a do-it-yourself music guitar cut out for your musical theme party centerpieces. The guitar is accented with guitar strings made from black yard, heavy black card stock and clear push pins. Judy shows how to take a plain white polystyrene guitar cut out, paint and add these lovely accents. She puts it on another budget Just Add Sand centerpiece base and accents with two pieces of onion grass. Add balloons, a table name and table place...

How To: Fold napkins in decorative ways

Well fret not, frantic dinner party hosts! In this video series, learn how to fold napkins in a variety of fancy, fun, elegant and eclectic ways. Our expert will show you step-by-step napkin folding techniques that’ll you can learn in a few minutes. No guests have arrived yet, so with 20 minutes to spare, watch a few video clips and get some good housekeeping tips on how to liven up your place settings. Remember: it’s the details that count. A specially-folded napkin is sure to add that je ne...

How To: Fold a napkin into a hat (pliage en coiffe)

Learn how to fold a napkin into a hat. Use the following Gourmandia napkin folding secrets to impress and surprise guests. Fold a napkin into a hat (pliage en coiffe).

How To: Fold a rose napkin

David Neilson of Monteiths Bar shows a simple way to fold a rose napkin in this how-to video. Follow along with the step-by-step instructions given out in a delightful Scottish accent to replicate this fancy napkin fold. Add a little bit of class or ornamentation to a table setting. Watch this video table preparation tutorial and learn how to fold a napkin into a rose shape. Fold a rose napkin.

How To: Fold a napkin into a bird of paradise

Learn how to fold napkin into a bird of paradise with this tutorial. This is a perfect way to decorate your table when hosting a fancy dinner party. Impress your guests with your napkin folding skills with this easy and beautiful bird of paradise.

How To: Make coasters out of old wine corks

You've uncorked a bottle of fine wine. Now what are you supposed to do with that cork? Don't just throw it away! Breathe new life into your old corks by recycling them into all-natural coasters.

How To: Make a DIY wedding and engagement centerpiece

This how-To video shows you how to make an attractive and romantic centerpiece for your wedding, engagement party, or shower. A lovely mirrored acrylic heart with the couple’s first names, also in mirrored acrylic, is the center point. Turn off the lights and light up the tea candles for that romantic moment! Coordinating ribbon, metallic paper poof flowers, and onion grass lend accents. This is also suitable for Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, anniversaries, and other romantic events.