Taking time to make your dinner table festive is one of those special touches that affect the evening more than you might expect. Decorated tables center the gathering by capturing the guests' attention as they sit down and causing them to enter another, more intimate, space.

Centerpieces can be as large, small, complex or simple as you wish. Don't get too extravagant, though--diners should be able to see each other across the table. Flowers are always beautiful, but when your party will have a theme, it can be fun to decorate more creatively. Use Christmas ornaments in the centerpiece, a cornucopia for Thanksgiving or harvest feasts, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Time, table space and expense are your only limits, so let your inner decorator run wild!

Appetizers and drinks may be served in a common party area before the meal. This option is great if a large amount of people will be arriving. This way, people can chat and snack while waiting for all of the guests to arrive.

The basic setting is appropriate (depending on the formality of your party). If guests are drinking wine during the appetizer session of the party, remove any wine glasses from their place setting before the meal starts--unless a different type of wine will be served with dinner.

This is the most formal and work intensive of serving options. This type of meal requires someone to serve and clear dishes for each course.

The basic setting is appropriate to start. As the meal progresses, specialty silverware and glassware should be brought to the table with the appropriate course.

This is a rather informal option that's great when the dinner table will not hold all of the serving dishes and place settings comfortably. All of the dishes are arranged on a table separate from the dinner table and guests are invited to serve themselves.

A basic setting is appropriate, including all of the dishes you will be serving; or the table can be set completely without the dinner plates. Or, if you choose this option, stack the plates neatly on the buffet table.

If the table will not hold all of the serving dishes comfortably on the table but you would like a somewhat formal meal, this is a graceful solution. All of the dishes make their first appearance on the dinner table and are placed on a separate buffet table for the guests to serve themselves seconds at their own leisure.