Halloween is a great excuse to get together with family and friends. I love throwing a Halloween dinner party although I do tend to keep my decorations to the minimum on the dinner table. I prefer timeless tableware that doesn’t scream Halloween and I like to fill the table with mini pumpkins which add a bit of colour to a neutral colour scheme.
I was thrilled when Sainsbury’s asked me to style our home with some of their new season accessories. I’ve been a big fan of the British store for quite a few years now. I do my weekly grocery shop at our local Sainbury’s and their homeware department has caught my eye recently. I absolutely adore their Harvest and Palatial collections. Whether you are a fan of colour or luxurious classics, there is something for everyone. The collections are full of bright autumnal colours and beautiful patterns that are bound to brighten up those dark nights.
I wanted to create a stylish table setting that would be ideal for a Halloween inspired dinner party. I knew that the Palatial Dinner Set would be the perfect choice from the minute I saw it. It’s probably the prettiest dining set I’ve seen in a while. I love the grey detailing on the plates – they are so chic and elegant! The tableware really sets the mood for your dinner party and these white plates go very well in both modern or traditional table settings. Don’t forget that white is always a classy choice because it gives you room to play around with other colours and patterns.
The centre piece is the focal point of the table so you need to think carefully what you place there. It will be the first thing your dinner guests will notice so make sure it’s both beautiful and practical. I love a flower centre piece but this time I thought I’d make an exception. The Marble & Acacia Long Board is striking in person. I find the marble/wood design clever and it brings a rustic feel to the dinner table. You can use the board for canapé, breads, cheeses or use it to display decorative objects like mini pumpkins – it’s very versatile! I decided to serve some Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Cranberry, Orange and Pumpkin seed loaf which has been proven very popular in our house.
Now I’ve got to admit, I have a thing for trays. They are an absolute must in my book when entertaining and you can never have too many as far as I’m concerned. Use trays when serving drinks or canapé or as decorative items afterwards. They are great for adding colour to neutral décor and I always make sure I have the right tray for each season. The Harvest Round Tray is probably my favourite piece in the entire collection. I love the quirky pattern and the bright colour really makes it stand out. It’s actually quite a big tray (36 x 36 cm) so it’s ideal when you are entertaining a large group of people.
I’m a big fan of fresh flowers but sometimes I like to change things up a bit. Potted herbs look relaxed and informal in a table setting like this which I love. And let’s not forget how delicious they smell! The mini pumpkins bring a pop of colour to the table so I felt it didn’t need any additional flowers. I like to use pussy willows all year round although if you can get your hands on some orange fall foliage it will go with the theme even better. The Mercury Effect Vase is perfect for faux flower arrangements or branches. The Small Silver Stud Skull also adds a bit of glamour to the dinner table.
Now you cannot have a dinner party without a scented candle, right? The Hedgerow Ceramic Candle is ideal for Halloween. The colour is perfect for the season and it smells absolutely divine. I love the jar so much that I am planning to use it as a vase for flowers afterwards. Little vases are great for displaying individual flowers, herbs or succulents so I try to upcycle old jars as much as possible.
Halloween is still a few weeks away but I always start my party planning early. It can be a little tricky to find stylish Halloween decorations amongst all the plastic spiders and cobwebs. Luckily Sainsbury’s have a really nice collection of decorations, tableware and accessories for both kids and adults alike this year. If you are throwing a classy, grown-up party just add a few orange accessories and a silver skull to glam up the table. Don’t be afraid to use seasonal herbs or vegetables in the centre piece along with some flowers. I do believe that less is more. Keep it simple and classy. You’d be surprised how much one orange vase or a statement candle can lift the mood and put you in the Halloween spirit.
Happy Halloween!
*This post was in partnership with Sainsbury’s.
