Dare to DIY: Entertain

It’s time for the second challenge for the Dare to DIY. 

The “dare” for Monday is to entertain.  DIY something for your table. This could be something from Thanksgiving table or a new Christmas look. Get creative and use things in new ways. Or go true DIY and make something totally new. Ideas include place mats, table runners, place cards or centerpieces.

I decided to set my table for a fake Christmas dinner party.  I love fake dinner parties.  You don’t have to cook, clean up, or make small talk.  Bonus.

So, my dinner party is a little lame.  Let’s just say I misjudged my time before I left for the holidays.  But use your imagination and expand on what I have here.  I think the world needs more imagination and less Pinterest.  (That’s a lie but I’m going with it.)

I busted out the Pottery Barn reindeer plates that I received for Christmas a few years ago.  They make me smile.  I realized very late in the game that I needed to actually DIY something for my table and not just set it with fun plates and china.  Oops.

I have been meaning to stencil some napkins for awhile now.  What a better time than for the Dare to DIY?  That’s what this challenge is all about, right?  Getting. Stuff. Done.

I decided to stencil the reindeer names to go with the plates.  How cute are they?

Stenciling napkins is super easy.  I bought inexpensive white napkins, a Martha Stewart stencil set, and some black fabric paint.  The two napkins I did took me about 10 minutes.  I think I will actually finish the set…when I find time…after the holidays.

I also decided to make some fun napkin “rings”. 

I found a set of 25 vintage Christmas bulbs at the Salvation Army for $1.00.  I thought they’d look cute in a table setting. I was correct.  You could also tie a name card in the ribbon.  Let’s imagine I did that.  I’d Photoshop them in if I wasn’t falling asleep while writing thing.  Mmm, tryptophan and rhubarb pie.

Our dining room table centerpiece is simple.  Three candles.  Two little Crate and Barrel elves holding candle sticks. One metal reindeer.  Easy peasy.

There you have it. I took the dare.  I pretended to entertain.

Need some additional inspiration to get you headed in the right direction for Monday’s party? 

Check out the Dare to Entertain projects from my partners in crime: NewlyWoodwards, Maybe Matilda, and Two Twenty One!

We’ll see you back here Monday morning at 8am for the big ol’ par-tay.

What do you think of the ol’ table?  Are you good at using your imagination?  How was your turkey day?  I made my first pie.  Yeah, fake dinner parties and pie.  I’m totally old and domestic.

Also linking up to: Bliss at home