I’m often asked if all the little details at a dinner party like place cards and napkin holders are really necessary. After all, people are coming for food and conversation, not your table settings. But I’m a big believer in these extra touches. When people come to my home to share a meal, they’ve probably had to fight traffic to get there. Maybe they had to hire a baby-sitter. Or even had to give up a night of Netflix. Putting in the extra effort honors their presence and shows my gratitude. So it’s not about “Look what I did,” but “Look how much I appreciate you for coming.”
Of course, who has time to worry about these things when they’re also cooking? That’s why these easy napkin holders topped with paper pomegranates are so great. They take very little time to put together, and it’s a fun task to delegate to the kids.
What you’ll need:
Construction paper or cardstock
Scissors
Glue stick
1. Cut a 1 1/2-by-6-inch piece of construction paper or cardstock. While you can choose red paper, feel free to use creative license and make your pomegranates in various colors. With a glue stick, adhere the ends together to create a ring.
2. Cut a 6-by-6-inch square using the same paper. Fold the paper in half and then in quarters. You’ll then have four 3-by-3-inch squares stacked on top of each other. Fold one more time, and you’ll have a 3-by-1 1/2-inch stack.
3. On the folded edge, cut out half a pomegranate shape. This will be similar to cutting out a heart shape, but on the bottom instead of being pointed, it will be rounded. You will now have four pomegranate shapes that are folded in half.
4. Glue the backs of the your pomegranate cutouts to each other. Your pomegranate will have four sides, each with a fold in the middle.
5. Cut out a crown shape that is about 3/4ths of an inch wide with the same paper. Choose which side of the pomegranate will be the front and which will be the back. Glue the crown to the top of the pomegranate that will be the back.
6. Glue the pomegranate to the ring with the crown on the inside, pressing the two halves of the back pomegranate onto the ring to secure it. Wait until the glue is dry before inserting a rolled napkin into the ring.
Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.