Party Tips

I get this question a lot - mostly from mothers and non-profits on a tight budget. You want the tables to look nice but why spend money on linens you’re only going to use once. If you throw a lot of parties or you belong to a group that throws parties it’s a good idea to invest in a few sturdy black tablecloths. You can always dress them up with tulle and levels or you can use runners or swags of colored fabric.

To make matching linens and to add pizzazz to your theme get those cheap white paper tablecloths with the plastic lining and customize them with paint. Use themed stamps, or stencils with a color ink or paint that goes with your theme. Then do the same to some white napkins. You don’t have to stamp all the napkins – just the top dozen or so. You will be amazed on how making your napkins match your table cloth will dress up the table – it will look like you spent hours not minutes on preparation.

Finishing touches – Put down your black tablecloth add your levels and throw that cheap white cloth on top. There is always room for tulle or a fabric swag under your centerpiece. If you’re lucky you won’t have to clean your black linens because the paper will protect it.

A cute idea I did once for a child’s birthday party was having all the kids in the family paint the tablecloth with finger paints. It was a messy project but the kids had a lot of fun! For the napkins I used a hand stencil to give the illusion of a hand dabbed in paint on each napkin. If you do this make sure the cloth has plenty of time to dry!

Bettina Zacar

bettina@gypsybijoux.com

Bettina is the resident party designer at the Lankershim Arts Center and has been making parties pop for local Los Angeles galleries, theatres and private parties since 1999