We all want our food to taste good, but what else is involved in every culinary experience? First, Its your eyes!  Lets take an example, you enter a deli to get some tuna salad.  The glass case is clean and the tuna  is displayed in a Stainless steel bowl.  You think to yourself , " is this Fresh?".  You're  not sure.  So you try another store, again,  the glass case is clean, but now the tuna salad is displayed in a beautiful Italian ceramic bowl.  Your eyes tell you that this tuna is better. Is it?  Probably not, but this is the tuna salad you are doing to buy.   Kids do an amazing job using their eyes to decide whether or not they will eat a certain food. If it looks unappetizing, no way! 

And so, I am always on a personal mission to set a beautiful table!  First, I take into account the season.  What kind of"feel" do I want at the table?   I look for inexpensive items in craft stores and tag sales.  Its always great to have a collection of these items all set to go.  Many of these items can be found outside like , shells at the beach, acorns under a tree.  Simple spray shellac can turn these items into treasures! I try to keep the decorations low to the table.  And,  If you do want to add some height, just be sure there is space for those across the table to see one another.  I shop around for interesting flowers and always arrange them myself to keep the cost down.  The supermarket often has wonderful flowers!

Most of my table settings include plain white plates.  Instead , I change the chargers and the linen.  It's allows for much more creativity!  Spend more money on the napkins rather than the tablecloth,  which can be very simple.   And add some light!  Candles, tea lights are the most obvious and easiest choice. But also consider small LED lights on a string that can be purchased in a craft store, IKEA or online. 

Then, twist around in a fresh or artificial branch of leaves or greenery. 

The food will taste a lot better on a beautiful table.  It's all about the experience!