ARE you hosting Christmas dinner this year? As you plan your menu and what you’ll wear, this is a great time to think about how you’ll dress up the dinner table as well.
It’s entirely possible to make a beautiful Christmas tablescape without spending a lot of money. Gather ideas from magazines and Pinterest (an image-sharing and social media service) then put your own spin on it, using items you already have on hand. From traditional to modern, rustic to chic, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating an inviting ambiance for your family and guests.
Decorate and set the table a few days beforehand, so you can relax and enjoy on the big day.
Attractive and inspiring Christmas table ideas will not only dazzle your visitors but also reflect your personal style and holiday spirit. These settings are also perfect for New Year’s eve or any time you want to create a convivial atmosphere.
Traditional charm
If you’re a fan of timeless traditions and the classic Christmas color palette, then a conventional table setting is the way to go. Incorporate the customary hues of red, green and gold into tablecloth, napkins and even chair covers. These tones evoke a sense of festival cheer and warmth. Pair bright linens with elegant dinnerware and glassware. Fine china or vintage-inspired plates and crystal glasses add a stroke of sophistication. For a centerpiece, use simple yet classic elements such as candles, pinecones and berries. These natural and rustic elements will bring a cozy feel to your table.
Rustic elegance
If you prefer a more relaxed and earthy vibe, a rustic table setting is perfect. Embrace natural elements like wood, burlap and twine. Use wooden chargers or placemats to add warmth and texture. Earthy color palettes and neutral tones such as shades of brown, beige and green will create a harmonious ambience. Mismatched plates or antique silverware can add a touch of nostalgia and charm. For the centerpiece, utilize mini Christmas trees, pinecones or a bundle of cinnamon sticks tied with twine. These will bring the cozy warmth of a log cabin.
Modern and chic
If you have a flair for the contemporary and love sleek and minimalist designs, a modern chic table setting will be right up your alley. Keep your color scheme monochromatic or introduce metallic accents for a tinge of glamour. Think silver, gold or even rose gold. Sleek and simple dinnerware with clean lines will complement the modern aesthetic. Enhance the table with geometric shapes or sculptural elements. Use geometric candle holders, modern vases with minimalist flower arrangements or a statement piece like an abstract sculpture which will make your Christmas table stand out.
Festive flair
Ditch the traditional red and green composition and go for playful and vibrant combinations that will make your table pop. Think bright blues paired with metallic accents or rich purples mixed with gold for a luxurious nuance.
To take your table to the next level, incorporate festive motifs like plaid, tartan or snowflake prints. These patterns instantly elicit a cheerful mood. Use them on your tablecloth, napkins or as part of your dinnerware. Mixing different designs can create a visually interesting and dynamic table setting.
Personalized touches
Add a personal touch to your Christmas table by including fun and easy DIY ideas. Handmade place cards and napkin rings are a great way to show off your creativity. Get crafty with materials like ribbons, twines or mini ornaments. Your guests will feel special as they find their designated seats.
Another idea is to create a customized tablecloth or table runner. You can use fabric paint to stencil holiday-themed designs or even personalize it with your family’s name. It’s a simple yet effective way to make your table setting distinctive.
When it comes to centerpieces, let your imagination run wild. Use ornaments, mason jars filled with treats or create your own holiday crafts.
Beyond the basics
Instead of using standard tableware, try vintage china or colorful glassware which can add a bit of whimsy to your table setting.
For the centerpiece, go for something unconventional. Succulents arranged in festive containers can bring a fresh and modern twist to your table. Fairy lights or a miniature winter scene can create a magical ambiance. And don’t forget unexpected elements like natural feathers or fragrant herbs.
Delicious delights
Who says the table should only be adorned with decorative items? Enhance your table with tasty treats and edible ornaments that will make your guests’ mouths water. Serve festive drinks and signature cocktails that match the holiday theme. From hot cocoa with marshmallows to cranberry-infused cocktails, these flavorful concoctions will be a hit with your guests.
Include delectable Christmas decorations into your table accessory as well. Sprinkle toothsome glitter on desserts or embellish place settings with candy canes or chocolates. These sweet touches will not only impress your guests visually but also offer a delightful surprise during the festivities. Just be prepared for everyone to ask for seconds.
Simple adornments
Centerpieces, place cards, table settings and flower arrangements all play a role in crafting a dreamy tablescape. Whether your holiday decorating style strays more minimal, modern, contemporary or eclectic, we’ve got you covered.
Ornament trees
Make a slew of these festive and colorful trees to arrange down the center of a table.
To make: Cover styrofoam cones (12- and 15-inch) with ornaments, attaching them with hot glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls. If desired, wrap the finished trees with vintage tinsel and beaded garland.
Cupcake tree place card
These festive Christmas tree cupcakes make great place card decorations. And, who doesn’t love dessert before dinner at the holidays.
Ribbon-tied silverware
In a pinch, an elegant ribbon can give candles, stemmed glassware and silverware a festive look. Choose a silky ribbon in a jewel-toned hue or keep it traditional with red, green or gold.
Layers of pattern
From the nature-inspired table cloth, paisley napkins tied with a red velvet ribbon to the blooming floral centerpiece, fill this table setting with pattern and color.
Repurposed bottles
Craft elegant centerpieces using glass bottles (Wine or beverage bottles work well.). After removing the labels and cleaning the bottles, place evergreens into bottles and fill with water. Add a few fresh cranberries for a pop of color. Rub sticky candle wax to the bottom of a taper candle and place in the bottle opening. Don’t forget to replace the water every few days to keep the greens fresh.
Evergreen cuttings
Put fresh green sprigs on display in a large glass vase. Fill a nearby bowl with pinecones to further the rustic aesthetic.
Rosemary candle centerpiece
Create this gorgeous centerpiece with only a few supplies: candles (You can use a flameless candle hack.), fresh rosemary stems, ribbon, a few rubber bands and real or faux cranberries to decorate the base.
Table wreath
Rather than hanging your holiday wreath, turn it into a festive centerpiece by securing a few candle wood cups to a wreath form. You’ll need plenty of greenery and a few tapered candles to bring the look together.
Handmade candlesticks
Inspired by old-fashioned charm, create a centerpiece of fresh wreath and a bowl of oranges, then sprinkle dehydrated orange slices and paper stars around the table. The star of the show? The homemade beeswax candles that look drippy and more beautiful as they burn.
Furoshiki gift wrap
Not only does this elegant bowknot make a striking place setting, but it’s the perfect way to surprise dinner guests with a small gift. The Japanese wrapping technique is easier than it looks – you’ll only need a standard 20” cloth napkin, plus a few faux cranberry sprigs for decor.
Trash-to-treasure pears
Before you throw out your old lightbulbs, upcycle them into sophisticated holiday decor. Start by adding a dot of hot glue to the large side of the light bulb and start coiling green and gold twine around the bulb. Keep adding glue as you go. At the end, add a twig to create a stem and stick on a paper leaf.
Mini Christmas trees
Line a table runner with small Christmas trees in a variety of colors. To create a textured look, use a mix of paper, wooden and bottle brush trees.
Gold leaves
Disperse shimmery faux leaves covered in gold foil around the dining table to add a touch of glam. You can add gold leaf to almost anything – just make sure you’re starting with a dust-free surface. Cover the area in adhesive using a paint brush. Place a sheet of gold leaf onto the painted surface, smooth it lightly with your hands and use a soft-bristle brush to sweep the area in circular motions. Allow it to dry for a few hours, then paint a smooth thin layer of sealer on top.
Holiday shakers
Fill salt and pepper shakers with everything from mini trees to reindeer to add a festive touch to your table.
Touches of greenery
Elevate your wood dining set with fresh greenery, taper candles and ceramic village tea light holders.
Crafty leaf garland
Make your own leaf garland out of green craft paper. Add red jingle bells to finish the festive look.
Ceiling ornaments
A beautiful blend of whites and reds, this table setting is classic yet festive. For added drama, there are ornaments hanging from the ceiling, which you can recreate by using fishing line or string.
Christmas light napkin rings
Don’t be so quick to toss your unusable Christmas bulbs in the trash. Consider turning them into festive napkin rings. Just place a loop of red and white baker’s twine at the bottom of each bulb with hot glue. Then, tie your new creations around colorful rolled napkins.
Colorful village
Tired of the traditional holiday colors? Here’s a playful way to add new hues to your tablescape. Go for pink dishware, multi-colored bottle brush trees and a pastel Christmas village you can make yourself.
Mix and match glassware
Add color and creativity to your table setting with a unique mixture of glassware and tableware. Give everyone their own goblet and your tablescape will quickly become a topic of conversation.
Inspired by peppermints
Shades of red, pink and gold turn this dining table into a Christmas candy party. Decorate with a bright table runner, stripe napkins and sprigs shaped like candy canes – and don’t forget to sprinkle the table with real peppermints and candy canes for your guests to snack on before dinner.
Adorned chairs
Mini wreaths tied to chair frames with raw-edge ribbon will make every person at the table feel like the guest of honor.
Drink picks
Bring more holiday cheer to your guests’ drinks with some fun skewers fit for the occasion. Cut your drink skewers to about 3” long, then attach mini bottle brush trees in fun hues to the top of each one. Simple hot glue works well for this project.
Candy cane place card holders
Grab the mini candy canes that didn’t make it onto your Christmas tree and put them to use as place card holders. Go for an assortment of colors for a fun look.
Felt tree-topped hurricanes
Transform your table into an enchanted pine forest. Just cut out fir shapes from felt and hot-glue them onto candle holders filled with faux snow.
Gingerbread place card holder
Give the place cards you use year after a year a rest this time around. Instead, place gingerbread cookies on top of cloth napkins and wrap them in a complementary ribbon.
Fun and fancy
Enliven your table by mixing pink hues with gold accents. You can even use a scarf as table runner. Repurpose pieces from broken terracotta pots as name cards.
Napkin bells
You can’t deny that holiday bells have magic. Bring that same spirit to your table by dressing each corner of your dinner napkin with mini bells.
Wreath chandelier
Using a hook and ribbon, suspend greens from the ceiling above your table. Love the look, but have a permanent light fixture? Drape pine around the frame and secure with ribbon.
Cozy Christmas
Use fresh flowers to give off a subtle aroma that’ll have guests reminiscing about holidays past.
Wooden bead stars
Add more visual interest to your table runner by using wooden beads to make star-shaped decorative accents.
Indoor wreath
Treat a nearby windowsill like a mantel and layer greenery, candles and pine cones. Hang a rustic wreath up for the finishing touch.
Woodsy centerpiece
Fill a glass container with unshelled nuts, faux cranberries, pinecones, cinnamon sticks and dried citrus. Centered on a polished wood slice, the table’s good to go.
Piles of gifts
Not all the presents need to be under the tree. Show off your prettiest wrapping paper on the dinner table, swapping pink for red for an extra twist. Fill out the display with homemade confetti-filled ornaments in coordinating colors.
Winter wonderland
Celebrate a white Christmas, no matter the climate. Use tiny gingerbread houses, monochrome florals and even miniature marshmallows to set the snow-dusted scene.
Golden fronds
Wheat stalks can look just as pretty as fresh blooms. Just cinch the sheaf with ribbon and place inside a clear vase on top of faux snow. Surround the container with almonds and evergreens for extra oomph.
Backlight the curtains
Make a dreamy, inviting atmosphere fit lingering long into the night. The table’s chicly rumpled linen tablecloth and a soft, washed out palette of pinks, peaches, creams and browns make a dining room adaptable to any season. But the combination of candlelight and fairy lights strung up in the window behind a linen curtain that matches the tablecloth, creating soft diffused ambient light makes it feel special enough for an intimate dinner amongst friends and family.
Decorate the dessert table
Embellish the dessert table with a linen tablecloth strewn with bushy branches and ornaments, paper Christmas trees of varying sizes and heights, votive candles and plenty of treats.
Set the kids’ table
Create a special place for the children at a classic red, white and green Christmas table with a green kid-sized plate and extras like a tiny wrapped gift and candy cane to make it feel fun.
Fold origami napkins
For a festive table, set each place with an origami-inspired napkin folded into the shape of a Christmas tree.
Save space
If you live in a small space and your dining room is a bistro table for two, keep the surface free and clear with a small vase of flowers and a pint-size Christmas tree ornament. Then utilize the wall or floor space around the table to tie in larger decorations.
Mandarin tower centerpiece
This DIY table ornament made of mandarin and curly kale set on a cake plate for extra height will delight both kids and adults at your holiday table, and are easy and fun to make.
Decorate the kitchen island
Make a simple holiday vignette on a large kitchen island that reminds everyone that Christmas is coming while leaving plenty of room for prepping and cooking throughout the season.
Pretty up the peninsula
Create a dramatic Christmas installation on a kitchen peninsula that can stay up all season, making even small meals or coffee breaks feel festive and the kitchen alive with holiday spirit.
LED centerpiece
Make an easy holiday display on your dining table with an assortment of mini trees and ornaments lit with LED string lights.
Pleasant scent
Enhance your Christmas table decor by incorporating scented elements into your centerpiece. Use scented candles, potpourri or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to fill the air with delightful fragrances that complement the festive atmosphere.
Hanging greenery
Table decorations don’t have to fall strictly on the table. Accessorize the lighting above your feast by adding some fun greenery.
Ornament bowl
Buy a dozen colorful vintage ball ornaments (or grab some you already have around the house) and use them to fill a decorative glass bowl to the brim, which you can then display at the center of your table.
Candy-coated centerpiece
Grab a glass vase, then fill it to the brim with alternating layers of red, green and silver candy and wrap the whole thing with a big bow.
Santa hat silverware holders
Save your white lace silverware holders from grease stains and spilled wine and switch them out for these uber festive ones.
Tart tin tree
Create a needle-free Christmas tree by stacking a collection of tart tins ranging in size from 2 to 12 inches.
Mason jar tree
Stack mason jars filled with colorful ornaments to create a glimmering Christmas tree-inspired centerpiece.
Wood box
A handmade wood box not only creates a focal point in a dining room, but can also be easily used throughout the rest of the year as table decor.
Go outside
At your outdoor table, mix vintage candlesticks, wood plates and a natural centerpiece of leaves and flowers to create a non-traditional, laidback festive vibe.
A table setting is a reflection of your creativity, style and the joyous spirit of the holiday season. Whether you choose to embrace the traditional charm, opt for a modern and chic aesthetic or add a nuance of rustic elegance, the key is to make it personal and memorable. By integrating unique elements, DIY strokes and luscious treats, you can create a tablescape that will leave your guests in awe. So, get ready to impress and make this Christmas a truly magical and unforgettable experience for everyone gathered around your beautifully adorned table.
