Bridal Bouquet

• For a bridal shower tea party, simulate a bridal bouquet with a cascading bouquet of flowers that "pours" from the spout of a pitcher. If your party is in the garden, look for a galvanized metal pitcher for a rustic look. A white- or cream-colored antique pitcher offers a vintage look, and a floral porcelain pitcher lends an elegant accent while resting on a lace tablecloth. Hold the flower arrangement inside the container using floral foam, available at craft stores.

Valentine's Day Glow

• Bring romance to the tea table on a raised cake stand. Load it with pillar candles, using at least three different heights colored in creams, reds and pinks. Scatter red rose petals, available from a florist, around the edge of the platter and below it. An alternative to a cake stand is a gold tray that will reflect the warm glow of the candles. Plastic gold-colored trays can be purchased at party supply stores.

Mother's Day Elegance

• Let the sunlight filter through a beautiful cut glass crystal bowl holding floating candles and a few of your mother's favorite flowers. For a less formal gathering, use a plain glass bowl for the floating candles. Another fill idea in a glass bowl is fruit, in particular lemons. Use a wooden bowl for a simpler gathering and fill it with natural elements (acorns, pinecones, etc.).

Traditionally English

• Use what's already on your table as a centerpiece when you accent a two- or three-tiered tray with ivy. Loosely wrap real ivy or silk garlands around the side of the tray. An alternative to ivy is a sweet pea vine. Other garlands sold at craft stores offer a variety of textures and colors to accommodate any theme. Hold the garland or plant to the tray using either floral wire or tape, available at craft stores.

Yuletide

• For a Christmas tea, place a wreath made from greens (evergreen, holly, boxwood, etc.) around a large hurricane glass with a pillar candle inside. Use a red, gold or silver candle. Garnish the wreath with pinecones, red berries or small flowers in a wreath used at a different time of year.