There are so many things that can be done to make a gathering of friends special. If you are going to take the time and effort to entertain you should go that added step to pay attention to small details that will let people know that you care about them and welcome them into your home.

Small details do not have to take a great deal of time, and they can mean a great deal to others.

One detail that marks any event as special is fresh flowers. Most grocery stores now carry fresh cash and carry bouquets in the produce section. These flowers are usually inexpensive and fresh.

You are in the grocery store anyway to buy ingredients for your meal so there are no additional errands to run. As soon as you get the flowers home make sure you put them in water until you have time to arrange them. The nice thing about using cut flowers for flower centerpieces is that you can use your own containers and vases.

The stems of the flowers are usually all one length and quite long. To start simply clip the ends off of the stems and place them in the container at different heights to create your flower centerpieces. I usually buy enough flowers to make two flower centerpieces, one for the table and one for the coffee table.

If your budget does not allow for this simply move the flowers into the living room when you are finished eating.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when creating flower centerpieces is that they make them too high for guest to visit across the table. The table decorations should never impede the flow of conversation. If one of your guests has given you a vase, use it to arrange the flowers. 

Remember that flower centerpieces do not have to be arranged in vases. Be creative in what you arrange the flowers in. I use flower frogs, which are round metal or glass discs that have holes in them to stick flower stems into. They can convert any bowl into a flower container. If your do not have a frog you can use florist foam which comes in large pieces that you cut to the size you need.

You wet the foam to make it pliable and also to keep the flowers wet. Using bowls to make flower centerpieces is a way to keep the arrangement low to the surface. Also because you are cutting the stems short you can use mums, daisies and mini carnations.

They are usually inexpensive and there are multiple blooms on one stem. The simple touch of arranging your own flower centerpieces will show your guests how much you care and will only cost a small amount.