How to adorn your end tables for the holidays

The forgotten task master, the end table. It works all year to hold your drinks, your reading glasses, your newspaper, and your lamps and never asks for anything in return. The holidays are the perfect time for a little attention, a little love. Clear off the end table, even the lamp. You don’t need the reading light this time of year because there is no time to sit and read. You should be out there, shopping and partying!

Add a touch of holiday with the following ideas:

Make a gorgeous topiary. You can find a clear glass giant vase and layer dried berries, greens, ornaments etc. When you get to the top, the layer will serve to hold your greens. You can start with a base of fresh and then add fresh greens for authenticity and smell. You can leave it at that or add on ornaments, pictures, or anything you want to stare at for a month.

A tall lantern makes a fabulous substitute for you lamp. Put a candle with a remote in it (from Lee Douglas and instant décor. Put a gorgeous bow on top or a wreath around it.

Pack your table full of cylinders and float some cranberries and a candle. This is so simple, but so pretty anywhere you need a splash.

Get a great basket and put a baby tree in it. Anchor it down so it doesn’t fall over, light it up with lights, throw some moss or presents on top and you wouldn’t even need another tree- but the key word there was “need”.

Over the years, we have sold a lot of shadow box tables like this one:

These tables are great to hold amazing statement pieces, or coffee table books, or pictures etc. At this time of year however, use them as another spot to adorn. These can be great to fill with greens and lights or ornaments, but be creative. Think of things that you wouldn’t normally put in there. If you want a vintage or old look, maybe use an old pair of ice skates, an heirloom ornament in greens, a Christmas hat, old vintage Christmas cards, Christmas sheet music, or a collection of old 45 Christmas records. If you want a modern look, use modern frames with great quotes, angular wire pieces, great books or magazines, mirrors, modern letters that spell out a message or stainless steel or glass ornaments. We filled ours with greens and simple white battery operated lights and what a show for the holidays.

Bottom line is: move things off your surfaces, get a fresh look, and be whimsical once a year. Your tables will thank you.