Pomegranates, apples, oranges, tangerines and so on. With the right amount of creativity, you can transform seasonal winter fruit into original placeholders for your holiday table setting.
Placeholders with apple and pomegranate
Red apples? In addition to "keeping the doctor away," apples are also great to use as place cards at the table. Make a hole about the size of a tealight candle where the stem is. Then set a candle inside and place the apples on saucers in front of place cards with names. Just before everyone is seated, you can light the candles to create a pleasant atmosphere at the table. With apples, you can also make Christmas tree-shaped place cards. Use a tealight candle as a base and insert a toothpick vertically in the center of it. Cut the apple into smaller and smaller rectangles, placing the fruit pieces along on the toothpick in layers shaped like a Christmas tree. Add place cards with names and decorate each little Christmas tree with a pineapple star cut out with a stencil. If you want to leave the apples whole, make some leaves with the paper you’ll use to write the names and place them near the apple with a pin. Remember to sprinkle the fruit with lemon juice to keep it from turning a darker color. Even pomegranates can be used as a placeholder: Just write the names of the guests on the peel with a felt-tip pen and place the fruit in the center of the plate or next to the glasses at the table setting.
Placeholders with citrus fruit
During the holidays, citrus fruit is a must – from oranges and tangerines to limes and lemons! You can make place cards with oranges by inserting cloves into the rind in the shape of the guest’s initials. This can also be done with lemons. Alternatively, you add some colorful ribbon to medium-sized jars and fill them with floating tealight candles: Start by cutting thin round slices of orange and lemon, without removing the rind. Place them inside the jar and pour water over them. Add some pomegranate seeds and then place the floating candle inside. Tie a place card to each ribbon.
A placeholder treat
You could even use nuts or dried fruit as a unique place holder – to eat even after the festivities are over! Fill transparent sachets with dried fruit or nuts and tie them with colorful ribbons on both sides (like a candy) with placeholders attached. What a cheerful way to seat the family!