Gather 'round the table :: Simple solutions for an elegant place setting

It's that time of year - the time of year when friends and family gather together to give thanks and celebrate the holiday season. Our tables will be full with merriment, joy, discussion and laughter. Our plates will be full of wonderful food that always tastes its best when shared with the company of good friends and loved ones. As we open up our homes and usher everyone inside, we'll want to dress up our table tops slightly - make them more festive, more personal. Some will want something lavish and some will want something simple yet elegant that can easily be tossed together. Today we'll focus on the Slow + Simple table.

Whether an intimate group of 4 or a larger gathering, below are some very simple ideas that will personalize and enhance any table setting - in a minimal amount of time. The goal here is to spend less time preparing and more time socializing and enjoying. A Slow + Simple table is so easy to create. Pick up a dozen flowers and place one on each person's plate, gather up some rive rocks, pine cones, branches, leaves, fruit, small plants... We're huge fans of using items found outside in nature. Sometimes the most simple of ideas make the greatest impact. We love our metallic spray paint. In no time you can completely transform those rocks, leaves, branches and shells with a simple coat of paint. Other ideas include a printed note or recipe card, postcard, a candy necklace, individual pots of homemade or (store bought) pots of jams, mustard, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, lemon curd or chutney. So simple and such fun, place a copy of the daily Sunday paper in front of each guest's place when serving up a relaxed brunch. If you have children get them involved in the process by having them make up individual place cards.