| Are you planning a dinner party? Do you need to | | | | dinner table. Don't put highly scented flowers on |
| choose the right flowers for your floral table | | | | the dinner table because their aroma can fight |
| centerpiece? | | | | with the food aromas. Some guests may even |
| Choosing the right flowers can be frustrating and | | | | be allergic to the strong scent as well. The |
| expensive - or it can be simple and economical. | | | | scented hyacinths Sally was eyeing would not be |
| Knowing three key secrets makes it simple for | | | | good choices for the dinner table. |
| you to choose the right flowers. Then you can | | | | Now you can eliminate a large range of flowers |
| create a simple but beautiful floral centerpiece. | | | | before you even get to the store. |
| The key is to have a plan and stick with it. | | | | Remember, less choice means less stress. |
| Have you tried to create a table centerpiece for | | | | White works with everything. White tablecloths |
| your dinner party without a plan? Then you know | | | | work with every color of flower. |
| how easy it is to get off track. Read on to see | | | | White taper candles work with every color of |
| what happened to Sally because she didn't have a | | | | flower. |
| plan: | | | | White or crystal candlesticks work with any color |
| Sally wanted a beautiful table centerpiece. A little | | | | of flower. |
| behind schedule, she rushed to her local flower | | | | And white flowers go with everything. |
| store to buy her flowers. The selection was wide, | | | | How easy could that be? |
| the flowers looked so lavishand the colors just | | | | If you do want some color in your flowers, you |
| sang. She thought it would be a snap to choose | | | | already know that any color will go because of |
| her selection, hurry home and create a stunning, | | | | your white tablecloth and your white candles. |
| perfect little masterpiece for her dinner table. | | | | If you want color, select your color choices |
| But fifteen minutes later she was still wavering | | | | BEFORE you go shopping. Don't come home with |
| between the beautifully scented hyacinths, some | | | | a color that is lovely but doesn't work with your |
| striking pink lilies and the tall, expensive orchids. In | | | | scheme. Making a color plan will really help you |
| the end she left the store with the tall expensive | | | | avoid stress at the flower shop. |
| orchids. | | | | Decide on one or two colors in your mind BEFORE |
| Sally got home with flowers that cost her about | | | | you go to the flower store. If your first color |
| four times what she had planned to spend. She | | | | choice isn't available when you get there, go to |
| got home late because it took her so long to | | | | your second choice. |
| decide. And she realized that the orchids she | | | | If you see some flowers you absolutely have to |
| bought just weren't right for her centerpiece, | | | | have, but they aren't one of your choices, don't |
| they were far too tall. | | | | change your whole plan for the dining room table |
| So she ended up with no flowers for her | | | | centerpiece. Just buy those must-have flowers to |
| centerpiece and had to rush back to the store. | | | | decorate your living room. Then go back to the |
| OK, I confess, I was that Sally - and more than | | | | plan and select one of your color choices for the |
| once too. But now I've learned three key secrets | | | | dining room table. |
| for choosing flowers for my table centerpieces. | | | | So don't be like Sally. Put the three key |
| Now I can add beauty to my dinner parties and | | | | flower-choosing secrets to work for you: |
| subtract frustration and stress from my day. | | | | |
| Here are the three key secrets. | | | | 1. Remember that you shouldn't choose tall or |
| Less choice means less stress. Eliminate | | | | scented flowers for the dinner table |
| impractical choices. That means you shouldn't | | | | 2. Remember that white goes with everything |
| choose tall flowers or flowers that are scented | | | | 3. And if you want color in your flowers, choose |
| for your table centerpiece. | | | | one or two colors before you go to the store, |
| Your flower arrangement should not be more | | | | then stick with your choices, no matter how |
| than about 5 inches high. Otherwise your guests | | | | tempting the other colors are |
| have to peer through the floral bushes to see | | | | Now you have maximized your chances of |
| each other across the table. | | | | choosing the right flowers, and minimized your |
| So you can eliminate tall flowers unless you can | | | | stress while you shop. |
| cut them down. Now you won't be swayed by a | | | | Did you know that with just three basic |
| beautiful but impractical purchase. Sally's tall orchids | | | | centerpiece arrangements, you can cover almost |
| were stunning, but they didn't cut it for a sit-down | | | | every dinner party you give over a year? See |
| dinner table arrangement. | | | | how on the Table Centerpiece page at the dinner |
| Scented flowers are appealing, but not at the | | | | party planning site. |