Sweet Table Ideas for Every Celebration

In This Article

1. Choose your theme and colour palette
2. Selecting your sweet treats
3. Styling and display tips
4. Decoration and backdrop ideas
5. Budget-friendly DIY hacks
6. Occasion-specific sweet tables
7. Final touches for a professional look
8. The sweetest centrepiece 

From weddings and birthdays to baby showers and everything in between, a well-styled sweet table  adds fun and flavour to the room. To make things effortless, let Rowntree’s® be the star of the show. Think sparkly Fruit Pastilles, bright Fruit Gums, playful Randoms® and bouncy Jelly Tots®, all supported by chocolatey treats and homemade bakes from your favourite Nestlé treats. So, let’s get this party started and jump into our guide to sweet table ideas for any occasion! 
 

1. Choose your theme and colour palette 

Your theme sets the tone for the rest of your sweet table ideas. Match your chewy and gummy Rowntree’s® sweets to the event, and suddenly your table looks curated and intentional, not haphazard and accidental.

• Think pastel colours and Fruit Pastilles for Easter or spring weddings with soft pinks, lilacs, mint green and creams.
• Pair bright colours and vibrant Randoms® for kids’ birthdays and go bold with character prints or fun designs.
• Go classic red and green for Christmas with flavours from Fruit Gums and Jelly Tots® for a sparkly, festive feel. 
   

2. Selecting your sweet treats 

The best sweet tables are a mix of fruity flavours and chewy textures with pops of chocolate and a few homemade treats. Fruit Pastilles, Fruit Gums, Jelly Tots® and Randoms® take care of all your fruity, gummy and chewy needs. For chocolate treats, go for Aero® Bubbles, Munchies®, Smarties®, Rolo®, Milkybar Buttons®, Walnut Whip® and Quality Street®. It’s all about variety, and let’s not forget about some home-baked goodies! Here’s a tasty selection to get you started.  

1. Milkybar® White Chocolate and Raspberry Blondies – chewy, creamy and tangy.
2. Chocolate Cupcakes – rich, moist and chocolatey.
3. Aero® Chocolate Brownies – soft, gooey and bubbly.
4. Aero® Orange Chocolate Brookies – a fudgy, zesty brownie-cookie blend.
5. Milkybar® White Chocolate Strawberries – chocolate-coated sweet strawberries.  
6. Milkybar® White Chocolate and Raspberry Cookies – creamy and tart in every bite.
7. Milkybar® Raspberry Hearts – simple, creamy, tart and tasty.
8. White Chocolate Cookies and Cream Fudge – Smooth and creamy with pops of biscuit.
9. Rolo® Salted Caramel Brownies – a delightful blend of sweet and salty. 
    

4. Styling and         display tips  

Your sweet table is the stage, and you’re the director! Vary the heights of your stands and containers so everything’s not on the same level. Use cake stands, stacked boxes, and tiered trays to create mood and drama. Separate sweets into clear jars or bowls with scoops or tongs for easy serving. Good lighting is a powerful and easy tool to add. Think fairy lights or coloured LED strips around jars or under stands. Colour-block the sweets for maximum visual impact, and don’t forget labels or printable tags to name each treat.  

 

 

5. Decoration and backdrop ideas  

Your sweet table’s backdrop frames the whole thing. Try coloured balloons to match the theme, bright bunting, fairy lights, or themed props. Fabric backdrops, flower walls, or oversized photo frames of the wedding party or birthday star add a touch of magic to the occasion. An interactive Polaroid wall to capture the sweet moments is always fun and easy to pull off. Match your serving ware to your colour palette so the whole display feels pulled together.
 

6. Budget-friendly DIY hacks 

You don’t have to break the bank for your sweet table to have an impact. Repurpose mason jars, wooden crates, or upcycled glass bottles for a wallet-friendly and eco-friendly sweet display. Bulk-buying sweets is almost always cheaper, especially if you’re filling jars! For a simple keepsake, make your own treat bags or small boxes with party stickers or ribbon tags so guests can take a little something of the celebration home.  

7. Occasion-specific sweet tables 

The beauty of a sweet table lies in its versatility. With a few colour swaps and clever planning, the sweet table can become your secret weapon for every special occasion.  

• Weddings: keep it classic and classy with elegant jars, glassware, and subtle gold or pastel accents. Think jewelled Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Tots® rather than Randoms® and Fruit Gums and always match your colours and style to the theme of the wedding and venue.  
• Children’s parties: go big, bright and bold with rainbow colours or match the party colours. Add a few treats such as Rowntree’s Jelly Tots®, 12g Milkybar® Kid bars and Smarties® tubes.    
• Baby showers: match your decor to the theme of the shower and mix it up with a selection of fun and pretty sweet treats. Printed signage with messages like “Ready to Pop!” is always fun, and your mama-to-be will appreciate the little gestures.
• Seasonal events: sweet tables are built for seasonal events! Embrace Halloween with black and orange sweets, celebrate Christmas with red and green and hop into Easter with pastels and Pastilles!  
   

8. Final touches for a professional look 

Unless you’re a design savant, keep the basics in mind. Symmetry is your friend. Keep the arrangement balanced from every angle. Use height for impact, and remember, more is not always more!  Pick a central spot, and once your table is set, step back and observe how the table looks in the room. If something feels off, make adjustments and fine-tune your sweet table ideas! 

9. The sweetest centrepiece 

A sweet table taps into our inner child and brings people together with shared sweet moments. With Rowntree’s® colourful chewy and gummy creations as your base, you can wow your guests whatever the celebration. For more sweet ideas, tasty bakes and event inspiration, sign up for our monthly newsletter.