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The countdown to Halloween is on! Whether you're throwing an elegant Halloween dinner party complete with themed snacks or a simple post-Trick-or-Treat get-together with the kids, we've got some fun napkin folding ideas guaranteed to add a bit of effortless style to your table. Use these four napkin folds (pumpkin, ghost, bat, and witch) as the building blocks for the rest of your table decor.
You should start with a simple tablecloth (ours is Heather Taylor Home) and your favorite plates, then layer in some old cutlery and glasses. Next, add in some seasonal centerpieces or fresh fall flowers. You could stop there or keep adding elements until the table is totally full. Whatever you do, these napkins are the perfect launch point for your fall entertaining.
Pumpkin Napkin Fold
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Want to add a bit of the fall harvest vibe to your table? Try this simple pumpkin fold! First, gather your supplies...
Pumpkin Napkin Supplies
Becky Luigart-Stayner
To complete the pumpkin fold, you'll need four key items.
SUPPLIES
Orange linen napkin. Make sure the size you're buying is a square, not a rectangle. Ours are from Sferra.
Lay your napkin on a flat surface and place the Bundt pan to the middle (eye-balling is fine, but get as close as your can to center).
Turn Bundt pan on its side and hold with one hand.
With the other hand, pick up the skewer.
Make the Form
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP TWO
Begin pushing the napkin through the center of the Bundt pan with the blunt end of the skewer to create a small tail. You'll want push at least an inch or two of napkin through the hole — enough that it stays and doesn't fall back through. Depending on the diameter of your pans opening, this can take some force.
Once you've created a tail, return the Bundt pan and napkin to the flat surface.
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Fold the Napkin Inwards
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP THREE
Begin to shape the pumpkin by folding in the napkin. We found it easiest to slightly twirl the edges of the napkin and then wrap them around the center column of the pan until the entire napkin is bundled in the pan.
Continue to Fold
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP FOUR
Continue to fold the napkin inward, placing it in the pan. You can be forceful in cramming it in.
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Check Your Folds
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP FIVE
Before flipping the napkin over, check all your folds. If you followed the wrapping method mentioned in step three, the folds should resemble the image at left.
Turn your pumpkin right side up, with the hole you created with the dowel rod facing upwards, the tail will be facing down.
Add Your Stem
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP SIX
Affix your stem to the pumpkin. We used a natural stem and found that simply placing it in the hole worked well, but if you are worried about it falling over, you can use a small amount of tape to keep it in place. We do not recommend using hot glue or other glue substances as this will ruin the napkin.
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Set the Table!
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Once you've added your stem, you're done! We love this look for an elegant Halloween or Thanksgiving dinner. You can even serve this darling pumpkin patch cake for dessert!
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Ghost Napkin Supplies
Becky Luigart-Stayner
This cute ghost napkin comes together super easily! Start by gathering the supplies, listed below.
SUPPLIES
White linen napkin. Make sure the size you're buying is a square, not a rectangle. Ours are from Sferra.
Ribbon of your choice, 1-inch thick and about 12-inches long (we went with a rustic burlap)
Position the Foam Ball
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP ONE
Spread your napkin out on a flat surface.
Grab your foam ball or tissue and place it in the middle of the napkin. It's okay to eye-ball the center point, no need to measure.
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Create the Head
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP TWO
Next, fold the napkin in half from top to bottom.
Ready for Ribbon
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP THREE
Find the natural "neck" of your ghost and hold firmly while you slide the ribbon underneath the neck of the ghost.
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Tie a Bow
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP FOUR
Tie a bow at the neck with the ribbon.
Pull It Tight
Becky Luigart-Stayner
STEP FIVE
Pull the ears of the bow tight so the foam ball does not fall out.
Trim the ribbon ends to desired length.
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Set the Table!
Becky Luigart-Stayner
And, voila! Now you've got a ghostly dinner companion ready to spice up every fall tables. These napkins look especially cute on a table with our graveyard brownies.
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Bat Napkin Supplies
Becky Luigart-Stayner
Use this adorable bat napkin to add a bit of whimsical spookiness to your Halloween dinner party! All you need for this fold is a black cloth napkin (make sure the size you're buying is a square, not a rectangle). Ours are from Sferra.