Shop Talk : Summer tablescapes
By Katryn Yerdon
Published: July 16, 2009
Summer usually means paper, plastic and vinyl on the tables and eating from your lap. But with little fuss you can up your party ante and theme your tables in unique ways. Cruise along the stores on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs and get inspired.
Planning a seafood dinner? Stop by First Impressions. They have the cutest crab hats for $5, and good-sized plush lobsters for $10 that together makes a great centerpiece. Continue that theme at Nautilus Jewelry & Gifts by picking up their laminated "How to Eat a Lobster" placemats, a bargain at only $3.99. While there, might as well get some more nautical tablescaping options such as a bunch of Starfish & Shells starting at 39 cents each, or a small shell mobile for $4.99, or one of their decorative buoys starting at $13.99.
For your lobster and clam shells, pick up some great nautical metal pails at Rosebuds for $4.39. They also have some amazing Fish Seaweed balloons for $9.99. Just remember to have fun with it and you can't go wrong!
Have you heard the rumor? Obama is coming! If you would like to throw a dinner party in his honor, why not add him to your guest list. Get up some great Obama prints for $10 each at Jaba's. There are several versions that include great quotes that make awesome placemats, or can be used in a shingle effect to cover the outside perimeter of the table. If you want to insure them for repeated use, pick up some laminating sheets at daRosa's.
For a relaxed setting, visit Third World Trading and pick up one of their large colorful sarongs at $19.99 to use as a tablecloth along with coordinated "napkin" bandanas at two for $7. For a more personal touch, wrap and tuck the napkins into one of their wonderful bead, wood or metal bracelets that start at $3. As a centerpiece, why not use a glass punch bowl full of the evenings specialty drink; a great sangria with lots of colorful fruit. You can find all the fixings at Your Market, Our Market, or Al's Package or Jim's Package stores.
Keep in mind that using dishes and silverware instead of paper and plastic is much kinder to our environment.
