With the holidays behind us, many of us need something to look forward to and celebrate. Fortunately, there are innumerable reasons to throw a party – from the traditional birthday celebration to the non-traditional “National Pizza Day” types. Whatever your excuse for festivities, the party table you create will go a long way to amping up the overall success of the party itself.

Don’t just toss the soda and bags of chips onto a table and walk away. Take a few extra minutes to plan out your party dessert table – displayed like art, your desserts (no matter how humble they might seem on their own) will be treated like delicacies. Here are some inspiring twists on a party table, and how to do it right.

Nature-Inspired Party Table.

Green can be a tricky color to incorporate into a party table in a natural way. Consider looking to actual nature if you’re interested in going this route – green granny smith apples displayed vertically, for example, provide an organically colorful focal point, surrounded by neutrals.

Graduation Party Table.

To honor a special graduate, consider decking out the party table with school colors. I love the framing of an accent colored backdrop with waterfall vertical circle punch paper garlands. Also, including the year atop a centerpiece cake is both festive and memorable.

Pretty in (Pale) Pink.

Plenty of parties could pull off this sweet look – a little girl’s birthday, a baby shower, or even the welcome of springtime. Balance the décor of your refreshments with some color at or above eye-level for maximum effect – these oversized paper lanterns and tissue balls fit the bill nicely.

Tulle-Skirted Party Table.

While photographically proven to be a perfect table skirt for a rainbow-themed birthday party, this tulle-twisted table skirt could easily take on any color scheme and add a lovely dimension of color and volume to an otherwise simply adorned party table.

Organic Party Table.

This is a fabulous idea for namecards at a dinner party or dessert options on a dessert table…or, really, any party table where something needs labeling. The rocks decked out with moss and peat and whatever-else-have-you provide an adorable and instantly organic and au natural vibe.

Black and White: Classic Fancy.

It’s not often that Oreos can pull off being a main component of a fancy and classic party table, but there’s a first time for everything. Stacked high on a cake pedestal, the striped color palette is emphasized. Don’t forget the fun metallic animals throughout!{found on livethefancylife}.

Birthday Memories.

Lay the foundation for your birthday party refreshment table with plenty of photographs. Guests will love looking over the photos of the birthday girl or boy, plus they could be put into a photo album at the end of the party and be a gift in and of themselves. Form and function is always a win-win.

Simply Sweet Party Table.

For many party hosts, the success of the party table is more about the eats themselves than the décor surrounding said eats. This simple strategy is a divine way to display the goodies – classy, straightforward, and utterly delicious.

Under the Sea…NOT Over the Top.

In all of our party theming and scheming, it’s sometimes easy to go a little overboard on the clichés and what-not. This scaled-back party table is a beautiful representation of taking a theme (mermaid theme for a young girl’s birthday party) but keeping it pleasantly understated. The color of the punch, for example, is plenty of oceanic water representation, and some well-placed seastars make one feel beachy. Look outside the party-store clichés for a perfect party table.{found on designsbymeganturnidge}.

Over the Top Party Table.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going over the top in decorating a party table, as long as you commit to it. This gorgeous ombré cake, for example, is the perfect setting for an Ariel party. But the clincher is the candlestick-ed fork and spoon. So clever!{found on chickabug}.

Wedding Dessert Table.

Continuing the wedding colors through to the dessert table will make a beautiful statement, whether the celebration is inside or out. This yellow and grey table is so lovely and artistically displayed…looking (almost) too good to eat!{found on karaspartyideas}.

Rainbow Party Table.

When a color-loving child is involved in the party planning, many hosts will have to take seriously the idea of a rainbow party. I love the flowy inverted “rainbow” background here, as well as the rainbow printouts attached to nearly all the food. Throw in brightly colored pots or bowls for good measure, and I think you’ll find one happy guest of honor.

Patio Party Table.

Certainly the approach of warmer months is reason to celebrate…and what better way to pay homage than with gorgeous fuchsia peonies in wine glass bottles? I love the subtle variations of glass colors here – that alone makes simple place settings everywhere else not only acceptable, but probably preferable.

Asian-Themed Party Table.

Precision and symmetry are the name of the game for this Asian-themed party table. In particular, I love the kimono treats displayed on simple square white plates. And, of course, the Japanese cherry blossoms!

Modern Dessert Table.

Classics – like tuxedo lollies and black and white striped plates – get a modern twist with pops of aqua and poppy red for an ultimate modern party table. Crisp, classy, and clean is the name of the game here.

English Tea Party Table.

A tiered stand displaying refreshments like cakes and cookies (or biscuits, as I think they’re called in England) aside a china tea set may be all you need for this refined party setting. Prepare yourself to start saying things like “quite so” and “old chap” during the festivities, of course.{found on rivertea}.

Citrus Sensation.

Looking exceptionally elegant and chic, this lime-infused party table could really be appropriate for a number of festivities, including grownups, children, and/or teens. Keep refreshments laid out systematically like this, and you’ll increase the sophistication of your dessert table significantly.

Garden Party Table.

Strawberries and daisies are two of the simplest things nature has to offer…which is why they come together so perfectly for an outdoor garden party. Baskets loaded with luscious strawberries make a gorgeous (and edible!) centerpiece, and simply vased daisies lighten and freshen up the whole party table.

Easter Garden Party Table.

What better way to celebrate the spring season than hosting an Easter garden party. Plenty of shades of blues and greens (think unorganized ombré) mixed with some garden-themed pieces (ceramic pots, anyone?) make a delightful and fresh party table display.{found on onecharmingparty}.

Happy Birthday Balloons.

Truly, balloons are a go-to for last-minute, inexpensive party table décor. They’re colorful, instantly festive, and they provide a nice balance to all the goodies displayed so beautifully on a party table. This is a timeless decorating tool for a reason – it just works, inside or out.