Quite often, I see posts on social media (including my youngest daughter) that look like they’re living their best life. Sometimes I smile and think, ‘Aww, how nice.’ Other times, I laugh out loud, knowing it’s not reality. There’s a reason some people call Facebook ‘fakebook.’ Regardless, does everything have to be romanticised or “insta-worthy”? Consider the everyday table centerpiece. Should it be extravagant or simple?
Consider The Everyday Table Centerpiece
Courtney’s World
As I said before, some photos make me laugh. Not always because it’s silly, but mostly because it’s a lot of work!
I was invited to a new friend’s house the other day for an impromptu lunch. At first, I thought she had forgotten we were coming over because as we sat down at the table, she spent several minutes moving the large-scale centerpiece, extra china, placemats, etc.
Sincerely Marie
Her only table was set for a dinner party. It had a tablecloth and a runner. She also had chargers, dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls, silverware, glasses, cloth napkins, and a large, extravagant centerpiece. Sure, it was lovely to look at, but I wondered if she lived like that on a daily basis.
Am I the only one who is plain and overly practical?
Pinterest
Do you want your table set like you’re having a dinner party, even if you’re not? If so, then kudos to you. You are doing what makes you happy, and that is awesome. Me? I see a lot of dusting and rewashing.
County Road 407
In our house, the plates would get dusty. Cuz’ this girl is not going to clean it every day. Not even every couple of days! Lawdy, I’d be mortified if someone found a dog hair on their plate or wiped their mouth with a dusty napkin. Ew.
County Road 407
It all reminds me of a Hallmark movie. Do I want to live like that? Sure. Do I love adorable towns in Vermont (aka Canada)? Absolutely! Would I like to walk down the street and have the mayor ask when I’m going to visit the hardware store and pick up a homemade hand pie he made this morning? Of course!
Pinterest
Should we normalize such a manner of living?
I continue to hear how we should romanticize each day of our lives. That life is too short to live the humdrum, ordinary life.
Most of us like having a pretty centerpiece during holidays and special celebrations, but what about the in-between days – the ordinary, everyday days?
Zevy Joy
How about we compromise?
I’m not pushing you to compromise if a fully dressed table is what you love. And it’s not wrong to romanticize life. We should all be practicing good hospitality. However, in that, we should also do what works with our lifestyle, still gives us distinction, and doesn’t cause extra housework. Right?
County Road 407
I understand that large centerpieces get the oohs and ahhs, but don’t you have to move it when people sit down? What do you do with the empty hole where the pretty centerpiece was sitting? Is there something I’m missing? On special occasions, I imagine a turkey there, but what about the other days?
Earth Speaks
I’m merely suggesting we create centerpieces that are less work but nice-looking. Then, when someone knocks on the door and says – hey, I baked a pie, let’s sit and have a piece, you’re not scrambling to find a place to eat it in the process of making them feel welcome. The pride comes in knowing your table is pretty, and there was little work involved in maintaining it.
There’s no ridicule here. No sarcasm or making people feel less than. It’s all of us doing what works for us with no pressure or judgment. And there shouldn’t be a hardship or any stress trying to be something we’re not. So, if you want to set your entire table, go for it. I’ll be keeping it simple but would love to know why others do it.
Hi Cindy
Great post. We should do what makes us happy. For a time, I set a table and loved it but then my mom came to live with us and we used the table for meals because it is easier for Mom than the bar stools and then there is often a puzzle at one end waiting to be done. I love to decorate and I still have a runner or tablecloth or a rug or………because I love to decorate and yes, I still have to slide it over for dinner but it is worth it for me to be able to change out my table often. If a pretty home is important for you, you will figure it out. Have a blessed day Cindy.
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Sounds like you live your life for what works for you. That is fantastic Vicky. THank you for sharing that with us.
I’m with you all the way. My kitchen table currently is sporting a jigsaw puzzle, with pieces strewn across it and has been for over a month now.
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I’m all for that! I need to find a new puzzle and get started. Thank you Gail.
I’m with you!! Simplicity! Sure, I love the idea of a cloth table cover but…. I’m tired of washing the dang thing! And then there’s the Mr who doesn’t get it…. 🤦♀️🤷♀️
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Our last tablecloth, much like the cloth napkins also has to be ironed and I do not enjoy doing that. My Mr. doesn’t get it either. LOL
I like simple too, lovely way to make a table pretty is my fresh flowers. I like your examples of a simple center piece on the table, they were simple but, pretty to sit down to look at while eating. Thanks Cindy!
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Fresh flowers make the best centerpiece in my book. And I wish I could have fresh flowers everyday. But I suppose if I did, I wouldn’t be so excited each time I did get them. Thanks Marlene!
I used to change the decor on our dining room table each month ~ down to the placemats, napkin rings, chargers, etc. Since we rarely actually ate in there (but it opened onto our foyer, so everyone saw it) I only needed to wash stuff when we were actually going to have a family dinner. Now that we’ve drastically downsized (5200 sf to 1350!), I just put something special that I love (and have to store away) as a centerpiece for the DR table and also our round glass-top coffee table. That way I still get to see the things that mean something to me, but they may be stored in a big Rubbermaid bin in the garage the rest of the time. (I still get crazy with dish towels, drying mats & placemats though ~ haha)
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I enjoy seeing and appreciate a pretty table, especially during the holidays. Only at Christmas do I have a more “extravagant” (not that big of a deal really) table centerpiece. But when I see it at a friend’s house, I love it! Happy decorating Cynthia. 🙂
I end up “decorating” my dining table very simple after the holidays and pretty much leave it that way until the Fall rolls around. Sometimes later. There’s just me and one kid here and we don’t eat at the dining table!
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If we didn’t use our dining table all the time, I’d probably put a bowl of nothing in the middle and leave it at that. Then I’d only have to swiffer it once in a while. Gosh, that sounds like I’m so lazy. LOL! Thanks for sharing that Gina.
I can’t even find the top of my dining room table – it’s always covered with a current project, things “I’ll put away later” and/or cookbooks, recipes, etc. I literally have a closet full of tablecloths, some with matching napkins – all unused and destined for the thrift store.
The extent of our table decorating is a tablecloth and an elaborate centerpiece for our C’mas Day buffet.
Obviously, with all those tablecloths, it hasn’t always been like that but at 80 I am cool with it all.
Sheila
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Oh I totally understand! I can’t count the times my table has been so piled high with things that I couldn’t see it. Honestly, it’s close to full today! The last time I had friends over they asked if I wanted them to use coasters. I laughed and said look closely, it’s splotched with hot glue, scratches and scars from all the previous projects. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you Sheila for letting me see a part of your life. I love it! And feel free to send all those tablecloths and napkins my way. 😉