A festive table reveals your personality. There's a basic guide to follow for setting it properly, but creativity is the part of entertaining that brings the theme together. Bounce ideas off of friends; you'll be surprised how others' talents can inspire you. See the photos on page 104-105 of the April 2004 issue of Southern Living, and use these ideas as a jump-start for your spring table decor.

For a place card and guest gift in one, set decorated corrugated boxes on plates. Add a treat to each box, and place a name tag on top. When preparing for a themed dinner, pour candies in tall glasses, and push fish-pick fans with guests' names on them into the sweets for whimsical place cards (see photo at the top of page 105 of the April 2004 issue of Southern Living). Small potted plants in soup bowls are pretty decorations and welcome gifts.

To create a dramatic and colorful centerpiece, place yellow tulips in a simple vase, and anchor the blooms with lime slices. If you have a long table, arrange a few of these down the center. Informal get-togethers call for a fun look. Fill a fluted bowl with jelly beans, ‘Kermit' mums, and a pillar candle for a simple table decoration. Or add water to a stemmed glass, and float votives and small blooms for a quick and easy centerpiece.

Everything In Its Place A correct table setting includes a salad plate, bread plate, and forks on the left; glasses, a knife, and teaspoon go on the right. A bread-and-butter plate is necessary only if you're serving those items. Include a separate salad plate if your menu features dishes with a sauce. The water goblet is placed above the knife and to the right of the plate. Other glasses can be clustered or set in a straight row that slants downward from the goblet.