CNN Food Central - Entertaining? Tastefully decorate your tables

Atlanta (CNN) -- 'Tis the season to deck the halls... and your tables! If you're preparing a holiday meal for guests, make sure your table looks as appetizing as the food itself. Whether you're having a buffet or a sit-down dinner, there are several simple details that can make your meal more appealing.

Atlanta caterer Nancy Lutz suggests several tips for dressing up a buffet.

Develop a color scheme for the table, but don't stray too far from your home decor. Mix and match platters and patterns.

Bring the outdoors in by decorating the table with greenery from the yard, such as pine branches, magnolia leaves, holly berries or other seasonal plants.

Light candles, such as votives or floating candles for ambience. Avoid scented ones because they detract from the food's aroma.

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Add cranberries to flower vases for a festive look.

Use risers to give your table dimension. Lutz recommends using styrophome or even phone books to elevate some dishes.

Arrange appetizers in a circular pattern on the plate, or some other way that is pleasingto the eye.

Place foods on a bed of greenery, such as mixed greens or kale.

Border foods with fresh herbs, fruits or vegetables. Never use flowers or anything that is not edible. Adding red tomatoes or peppers makes platters look more seasonal.

Depart from the typical fruit or vegetable and dip platter. Lutz suggests making a caesar salad or displaying a bowl of one fruit, like cherries or strawberries.

You don't have to spend a lot

Nathalie Dupree, author of "Nathalie Dupree's Comfortable Entertaining," says entertaining doesn't have to be stressful or costly. She has developed her own rules after years of professional cooking and entertaining.

If you don't have enough place settings, mix and match. Dupree says it's a fallacy that flatware and dishes must be the same pattern.

For people starting out, she recommends buying all-purpose wine glasses that can be used for either red or white wine.


Float cranberries in flower vases to add color to an arrangement

There are ways of acquiring sterling silver flatware if you can't afford the new stuff. Dupree says she collected hers over the years from garage sales and second-hand stores.

Prepare the day ahead. Use sticky-notes to remind yourself which platters, bowls and serving utensils will be used for what food items.

Cook as much food as you can ahead of time... just reheat it before your guests arrive.

Walk through the buffet area to make sure there is good room flow and everything is accessible to guests. Dupree says the most important thing is for your guests to be comfortable.

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