Tickle The Taste Buds With Edible Centerpieces

Centerpieces are practically a must for any party table. Not only do they draw the eye and make a table look more attractive, they also help set the scene of the celebration and tastefully depict the occasion’s theme. However, when people usually hear the word “centerpiece,” an elaborate floral arrangement usually comes to mind. Of course, flowers are always delightful to look at and can help make a table come alive, but floral centerpieces are just too…predictable. Overused. Plus, they can cost a fortune and at the end of the party, they usually just end up getting tossed out.

So why not create centerpieces that won’t be wasted at all? An edible centerpiece totally fits the bill. Your guests wouldn’t be able to resist the snacks you’ve laid out for them, especially if they’ve been put together elegantly. These edible centerpieces can double as appetizers prior to the main course or provide guests with something to enjoy in between courses or after the main meal.

You can assemble edible centerpieces consisting of various food items or sweet treats. A good idea would be to match the food selection with the theme of the celebration. Here are a few ideas that can help to inspire you in crafting a completely delectable centerpiece.

• Having an Italian-inspired party? Place a woven basket in the middle of the table and line it with a simple piece of fabric. Fill the basket with bread rolls, loaves, biscotti, and other types of Italian bread. You can also use crusty breadsticks slipped into tall porcelain vases. Finish it off with bottles of red wine placed beside the basket or vase, a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil, and little containers of herbs like oregano and basil.
• If you’re planning a tea party, you have plenty of choices. Use tiered trays to hold the treats. Pile food items like macaroons, scones, biscuits, and butter cookies on each tray. Complement the display with a doily slipped underneath the tray and tie ribbons around the base for that extra flair.
• Children’s parties might seem a little too casual to even consider having centerpieces, but in this case, a cookie jar will do wonderfully. Fill cookie jars with an assortment of cookies so your young guests will have a blast partaking of every type of cookie. You can also arrange little flower pots in a circle in the middle of the table, fill it with crinkle paper, then stick in a “bouquet” of lollipops.
• Create a small makeshift “tree” that has branches containing marshmallows, or dangle miniature pouches of cookies from the branches. Underneath, set down a trio of little bowls, each filled with dragées, jellybeans, Hershey’s Kisses, and mints.

There is a multitude of ideas you can bring to life in preparing edible centerpieces. Feel free to decorate them however you like, and you can even scatter flowers around the base of these edible centerpieces, but remember to use them sparingly—you’re highlighting the yummy tidbits instead of the flowers!