This year’s SGC Christmas Luncheon,  scheduled on December 10th, will give members the opportunity to participate in a “Table Design Contest”.    Don’t miss out on the fun!    Please see the list below for more information!

1. Contact Rachel Doyle to sign up to set a table for the Table Design Contest.
2. The deadline for signing up to set a table is December 2.  The deadline to purchase a ticket for the Christmas Luncheon is December 1.
3. Tables are 72” round tables.  A plain ivory 108” round tablecloth will be provided for each table.  Contestants may use other tablecloths on top of this cloth, if they desire, but that is not required.
4. Tables should be set for 6 or 8 people  (depending on how many people sign up for the contest and how many people purchase tickets to the luncheon).  Rachel will let you know how many places should be set.
5. Tables must be set and “ready to go” by 10:30 a.m. on December 10^th.  Doors will be open for set up by 9:30 a.m.
6. Each contestant will bring her own dishes.  Food will be served on clear plastic plates that will be set upon the contestant’s plate.  Each contestant will decide if she wants to bring her own silverware or glassware or napkins.  If the contestant does not choose to bring her silverware, then plastic ware will be provided.  If the contestant does not choose to bring her own glasses, then clear plastic cups will be provided.   Coffee cups – bring own (which could be used) or disposable cups will be provided.  If the contestant does not choose to bring her own napkins, then plain white paper napkins will be provided.  (Keep in mind, however, that use of plastic and paper items may have an impact on the number of votes received.) If you bring your own silverware, glassware, coffee cups – know that they will be used and you will be taking them home “dirty.”  Likewise, they should start out clean for people to use.  Plastic plates with food will be placed on your plates, so your plates should be relatively clean to take home.
7. Pack your dishes carefully; the Club will not be responsible for any broken dishes, glassware or other damage or loss or theft.  (If you choose to bring your finest Sterling Silver, you bear the risk of loss.  Our advice: don’t bring it.)  Each contestant is responsible for setting up and clearing her assigned table.
8. Contestants are not required to use “Christmas dishes” but the table settings should be festive for the holiday season.
9. Each table must have at least one “design element.”  A “design element” is an arrangement of live cut or dried flowers and/or live plant.  This could be one floral centerpiece, or several little arrangements with flowers or plants.   Silk or plastic flowers are not allowed, but artificial greenery (as in a garland) or artificial fruit is allowed.  If a table does not have at least one real flower or plant, it is disqualified for receiving a prize.  A table is not disqualified for the popular vote if it uses an artificial garland that may also have some artificial flowers – so long as real flowers or live plant are used elsewhere. (However, it might be disqualified for judging based on Flower Show Standards.  See below.)
10. Centerpieces and designs should be low enough to allow guests on one side of the table to see guests on the other side of the table.
11. The chairs may or may not be decorated – designer’s choice.
12. Attendees at the Christmas Luncheon will cast three paper ballots for their favorite tables.  Ballots must be cast by 11:30 a.m.  The table with the most number of votes will receive the First Prize of $100.  The table with the second most number of votes will receive the Second Prize of $75.  The table with the third most number of votes will receive the Third Prize of $50.  (We wish we could keep the name of the table designer secret, but we realize that will be too difficult to accomplish.  However, we will not put the name of the designer on the table.  Each table will be numbered for purposes of balloting.)
13. Flower Show Judges in our Club (or guests who are also Flower Show Judges) will also judge the tables based on Flower Show standards and will announce their First, Second and Third choices and prizes will be awarded.  These winners may or may not be the same as those that received the most number of popular votes.  To learn more about Flower Show standards for table settings, please contact Madalyn Hernandez, Janet Nevil, Mary Ann Moreland, Gail Wilson, Georgeann Moss or Marilyn Fitzner.
14.  Contestants may choose to “assign seating” for friends to sit at their tables, but this is not required.  In fact, we encourage people to sit at tables with people they don’t know very well – and make new friends.
15. May one person enter more than one table?    That depends on the number of people who sign up to set tables and the number of people who buy tickets for the luncheon.  We hope that we will have at least 8 different persons to sign up for the contest.  If we do not, we may allow some persons to enter more than one table.  The maximum number of tables is ten (unless we sell more than 80 tickets for the luncheon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by:  Martha Billman – Communications Committee