The folks at a very helpful website, homedit (www.homedit.com) remind us that Father’s Day is right around the corner which means it’s time to put away the florals and pink of Mother’s Day and exchange it for anything and everything masculine.

So let’s talk about some clever ideas that make decorating the table for this special day easy and fun. Why not give the table a little extra attention? See if you don’t just love something amongst these terrific table settings for Father’s Day:

First off, how about a centerpiece of paper airplanes made from masculine-looking scrapbook or wrapping paper or maps? If Dad likes to travel, this could be perfect. You can attach the planes to wires like the centerpiece above or you could hang them from your chandelier.

Folding any plaid or stripped fabric into a tie-shaped napkin is another masculine touch. It’s a fun play on the proverbial gift theme, as well. Try to find a Dad that hasn’t gotten a tie for Father’s Day!

And still on the tie idea, this clever hostess used several she found at her local thrift store as her place settings. She draped them over some men’s suiting she found as well.

June is a beautiful month to spend outdoors, so having a picnic style Father’s Day feast is a great idea. Used denim jeans, with pocket intact, as photo shows, make perfect placemats. Just stuff napkins and utensils in the pockets for easy service, since the other hand will be full of a plateful of ribs, obviously.

And here’s an easy idea. Head to your local thrift store and buy up as many belts as you have guests. Then cut them to size and use them as napkin holders! All you have to do now is choose a color scheme for your table linens and candles.

Then there are the drinks. Whatever you’re serving, serve with flair. Why not adorn your bottles with bow ties? Here you see painted bow tie pasta glued to the bottles. If there are children or grandchildren available, put ‘em to work painting!

And another bottle-decorating idea: Computer designed and printed labels. You might ask all the family to create their own label saying. Rubber cement is used to flawlessly attach them.

Still on the bow tie theme, how about using paper bow ties (napkins and ribbon scraps) to gussy up the plastic-ware?

Another Dad-pleasing table décor idea might be containers of peanuts with #1 DAD signs anchored in them.

And for dessert? How about an easy 9 x 13 cake of Dad’s favorite flavor? The decorating is as easy as this photo shows. M&Ms are used to create the bow tie, buttons, and suspenders.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Let’s have some fun with this day as we honor those special men in our lives. Now, along with adorning your table, bake up the best chocolate cake ever. Here’s a recipe for one of our favorites. After all, what Dad doesn’t love a good chocolate cake?

BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

½ cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

½ cup malted milk powder

½ cup milk

¼ cup melted butter

1 large egg

½ teaspoon vanilla

½ cup boiling water

CHOCOLATE BUTTER CREAM FROSTING (9x13 Recipe)

½ cup baking cocoa

¾ cup butter, softened

2½ cups powdered sugar

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon malted milk powder

Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare one 9x13 baking dish by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring.

For the cake:

Whisk together add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and malted milk powder to a large mixing bowl.

Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together until well combined. Carefully stir the boiling water into the cake batter and pour into the prepared 9x13 dish.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (9x13 Recipe)

Add cocoa to a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Whisk through to remove any lumps.

Add the butter and cream together butter and cocoa powder until well-combined.

Add sugar and milk to cocoa mixture by adding 1 cup of sugar followed by about a tablespoon of milk. After each addition has been combined, turn mixer onto a high speed for about a minute. Repeat until all sugar and milk have been added.

Add vanilla extract and malted milk powder and combine well.

If frosting appears too dry, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it appears to wet and does not hold its form, add more confectioner’s sugar, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.

Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cake. Cover and keep on the counter for up to 3 days for best taste.

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