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There’s a lot of emphasis on having a lot of food at Christmas. So much so that sometimes there’s not enough space on the table for everything. It’s a shame because it takes a beautiful, ambient seasonal dining setting and makes it feel cluttered and chaotic. This is the result when tablescaping is an afterthought.
If Christmas dinner is at your home this year, I’d recommend dressing the table first. Whether you’re with the family, hosting friends or having a solo Christmas dinner, the table decor sets the mood for the evening and as guests marvel at your work, you might be able to buy more time to get the food prepared.
In this article, there are top tips on how to elevate your Christmas tablescaping and product recommendations that will have people asking: “Who did you hire to do this?”
Table Runners
A runner is the most common way to set a dinner table. It protects the tabletop from staining but it also adds some continuity from end to end. But what if I told you that there’s other ways to get the runner look?
If you’re new to the tablescaping game, there’s an affordable pool noodle hack from @Lonefox that we shared earlier this year. It looks amazing on rectangular dining tables and requires only 1-2 pool noodles (depending on table length), zip ties and your decor of choice.
Another option is to use foliage to run along the table. It looks especially luxurious when you weave it around the serving plates and candles. This blackberry garland is the perfect all-year-round foliage, so for a tight budget, we’d opt for that. If you already do this and want something more Christmas specific, opt for a pine or fir garland.
To both protect the tabletop and create a stunning set up, use both a runner and garland.
Layering & Mismatching
I don’t know if you heard, but matching decor from one store is out. It’s chic to curate a mix of different decor pieces that are tied together by tones and texture. If you like having standing decor, like stags, mini trees and nutcrackers, M&S have some fantastic options.
The same goes for uniformed sizes. Experiment with the heights of the candlesticks, mix metal tones, add a variety of berries and flowers. We have a brass bias at Broke in Tweed and love this set of candlesticks from Amazon.
Centrepieces
I usually don’t like a centrepiece as it often stops conversation across the table and can block the flow of serving plates for fear of knocking it over. If paired with a garland, I find it makes the table look too busy.
One exception to this rule is round tables as a runner would be less appropriate. If you’re going to have a centrepiece, apply the same logic of layering and mismatching but focus the attention around a central point. Whatever you put in that point must outshine all else (and not be so tall that the person parallel to you can’t get to the pigs in blankets).
Lighting
It’s Christmas. It would be a crime on this occasion to use the big light. However, you’re not restricted to candles. There are thin copper fairy lights that look magical (and discreet) woven into a garland or around the plates.
Why not opt for rechargeable lamps? They illuminate the table and your guests well. Being wireless means less scope for slips, trips and falls (before the wine comes out).
Smells And Sounds
What your guests can see is great but you want this to be a multi-sensory experience. Consider opting for scented candles (cinnamon is a seasonal favourite).
Everybody loves a good carol or Christmas charts classic but maybe wait until after the desserts to play Mariah Carey. The dinner is as much a time to talk as it is to eat, so play soft music that allows for that.
Dinnerware
You don’t have to go with red and green just because it’s Christmas. Opt for dinnerware that fits your home’s colour palette for a unique and incredibly chic Christmas arrangement.
However, matchy-matchy is also a big no-no. Get the placemats or charger plates from a different place to the dinner plates and bowls. Consider novel glassware in different colours or shapes to add a modern, playful spin to the setting.
Christmas Crackers
Although nobody ever keeps the little toys inside a Christmas cracker, they are essential for making everyone feel like they are a five again. Because who can take themselves too seriously when they’re donning a colourful paper hat?
Our affordable favourite for a neutral home is the Sainsbury’s 6 pack in white, brown and black for just £8.00.
Picking Christmas crackers that have a similar aesthetic to the rest of the set up is the cherry on top of the tablescape.
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