CLM Hen House

safrdh · Joined: 11 May 2026 Posts: 8

Hi! Our women's ministry is getting ready to host it's first luncheon. We have little resources to pull on. We will be charging $5 a person to cover the cost of food.

I am needing help with place settings and centerpieces. We need some cheap ideas but also something that is very feminine and doesn't look "cheap"

Oh, the theme is Bloom Where You Are Planted and it will be in July.

Thanks in advance!
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Shelly

jodi · Joined: 14 Mar 2026 Posts: 217 Location: Lake Mary, FL

My favorite placemats are the paper doilies. They come in rectangle, square or round shapes depending on what you need and are not too expensive.

For centerpieces we have used the potted impatiens or other annuals that are in season. Just wrap the pot in tissue paper, tie with curly ribbon and you have a beautiful centerpiece. The nice thing about these is that they can serve double duty - we always give them away as doorprizes. The ladies love taking home these plants as prizes and they are very inexpensive. Our Home Depot or Lowes usually has them for a $1 or less.
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~Jodi

safrdh · Joined: 11 May 2026 Posts: 8

Thanks for the ideas! I have thought of the potted plants. They used them just about a month ago for centerpieces at my husband's licensing reception. They just put the single flowers in jelly jars and tied raffia around the top of the jar. Simple but cute.

I have seen the doilly-like placemats. Where do you get these at and do they come in colors? Our tables are white and because of our limited budget, it is either plain white tables or tables covered with white plastic. So we need color!

Thanks again!
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Shelly

Ordered4Him · Joined: 13 Mar 2026 Posts: 26 Location: PA

If you want a colored placemat you can use 12x18 legal sized colored paper. It works plain, but you can scallop the edges with craft scissors or even print something on them. I'm not sure it's cheaper than pre-made placemats, but a solution if you can't find them.

InHisService · Joined: 08 Apr 2026 Posts: 26 Location: NC

I think you can find the paper dollies in colors, check your local dollar stores, and party supply stores, also I know they do carry the colored paper placemats in the party supply stores, I'm sure whatever you choose will be fine.

siscosmom · Joined: 21 Mar 2026 Posts: 206 Location: West Virginia

You might be able to find colored tulle for less than $1 a yard at Walmart or a fabric store. You could gather it a bit and run it down the length of the tables for some color if you can't get colored doillies. Bright napkins already set at the table with the silverware would also help give color.

siscosmom · Joined: 21 Mar 2026 Posts: 206 Location: West Virginia

You could also sprinkle flower petals on the white plastic.

Doreen · Joined: 30 Mar 2026 Posts: 95 Location: maryland

arch ways are always nice. We did a theme that was God garden. I had two arch ways done. I got the bags of flowers from walmart . They are the ones that come loose. They are stuffed. I added flower wire to them and stems. I took Christmas garland. I wrap the arch in the garland and you stick the flowers into it . It looks really nice. I did the water fall too that we used for vbs. I have pictures of that posted on my site. I think I put the site on my intro. all the flowers came out of 7 dollars worth of flowers. I took a glass bowl filled with water. I glue clear marbles the flat ones to the flower so it would stay at the bottom of the glass container . We had floating candles in the water burning. The water fall is out of paper sacks . Total cost of the water fall 20 dollars. It was used for VBS too. We had packages of seeds with the poem from this site with them . I had a sign I painted that said Gods Garden. As the ladies came thru the arches we took their pictures. I had garland on the floor too with flowers stuck in them . Still the same 7 dollars worth of flowers. I was really nice. Then at the dollar store I found walking stones with flowers and different scriptures on them . Put them on the floor leading up to a bird bath. I also found birds I stuck into the plants on a long wire . They look great you can see some in the pictures. Hope this helps you out. Sorry I got long winded
God bless
Doreen

sharon davis · Joined: 14 Mar 2026 Posts: 72 Location: Portsmouth, Ohio

Doreen,
I tried to look at your pics, but your website is not posted in your profile.
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If one falls down, his friend can help him up...Ecclesiastes 4:10

Denni · Joined: 13 Apr 2026 Posts: 4

Something that I have seen done is to have each woman bring her own place setting (usually china/silver but nice everyday would work too). It looks so nice and festive. Of course, they should have it to you prior to the luncheon.

InHisService · Joined: 08 Apr 2026 Posts: 26 Location: NC

mylordandmyking · Joined: 14 Mar 2026 Posts: 111

a lady in our group made that suggestion too . I came up with a few ideas , i havnt gotten them on my website yet , but the general idea for some tables are , Pearls and Lace , decorate with a lace tablecloth , lots of glass and candles and pearl beads in vases or scattered on the table , fresh flowers from someones garden , a Days Gone By table with decorations and dinnerware from an earlier era , Grow in Grace table with a gardening theme , just using simple inexpensive things that most people have at home or that can be purchased at thrift stores , yard sales or dollar stores . hope it helps some Very Happy

~ Nikki
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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God:

faraboverubies · Joined: 12 May 2026 Posts: 15 Location: East Tennessee

{Doreen: that waterfall is awesome! I love ideas like that!}

If you know anyone that has had a wedding lately ~ borrow supplies from them. I know I have a bunch of stuff from my wedding that I loan out alot. Silk flowers, petals, vines, tulle, glass votives, candle holders, etc. Otherwise this stuff just sits in my closet, and I would rather see it put to good use. I'm sure most brides feel the same way.
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april {faraboverubies}

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is.... Prov 31:10

mmg67 · Joined: 15 May 2025 Posts: 3

We have had the "table hostesses" for three years now at our Mother-Daughter Banquets. Each table hostess brings her own china, silverware, and crystal (or glasses) from home and decorates the table however she chooses. It is always interesting to see everyone's creativity, and everyone enjoys going around to the different tables before we are ready to begin the meal. We have our ladies purchase tickets and then we assign them to a table if they have not already been asked to sit at someone's table. Next year we may do more with a theme and ask the hostesses to use centerpieces that would go along with the theme. It has been a huge success for our women's ministry.

safrdh · Joined: 11 May 2026 Posts: 8

That is a great idea about borrowing from a bride. I hadn't thought of that. I have a good friend that just got married.

The table hostess is a good idea too. We may use that in the future. This is an introductory banquet.

Thank you all for your great ideas. I will post what the "executive" decision is!
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Shelly