Setting the Table for the Holidays
Regardless of the size of your gathering, you should never skip out on the festive decor. Whether you prefer a formal setting or a more casual look, I have tips and tricks that will impress your guests and bring a smile to your face, too.
Regardless of the direction you choose, don't forget to incorporate your china, crystal or silver that's been stored away. It will bring back memories of where the pieces originated and delight those seated around the table.
Don't be afraid to mix your old pieces with newer patterns, such as a vintage plate with a more contemporary colored goblet or a sleek linear flatware pattern.
Remember to always keep centerpieces low so that guests can easily see over them to engage in conversation. I suggest arrangements stay below chin level.
A Formal Look
Do you have extra ornaments that weren't needed on your tree? I have the perfect use for them: a striking centerpiece! First, place greenery down the table to nest the ornaments. Then, place ornaments of different sizes up and down the table for a stunning, yet effortless look. Make sure you can see the greenery throughout the centerpiece!
While I used a golden monochromatic color scheme on this table, you can use pink and lime green, red and deep green or a variety of all types of colors, shapes and sizes. If you can't quite decide which direction to pursue, let your china pattern set the color scheme for you as it did with this table. Finally, if you are hosting dinner this year for family and friends, incorporate votive candles as you layer in your ornaments. Traditionally, candlelight is for evening affairs for the obvious reason that they provide light to the table, as well as ambiance, which is more needed and noticed after dark.
Tip: Using ornaments of different sizes and shapes increases the texture of the tablescape and brings more curiosity to those around the table.
A Casual Look
Prefer a more casual look this year? I have a few ideas for you that will be just as striking as a formal table. First and foremost, there's no rule that Christmas has to be red and green or gold and white. These black and white plates were my inspiration for this table, and I paired them with a Christmas-y red plaid salad plate. I chose a runner from Hester & Cook, or use a roll of holiday wrapping paper! Then, I created a centerpiece to tie it all together, which was a combination of holiday greens and pinecones from the yard in a natural basket.
With a look like this your everyday flatware should work well, as should more casual glassware. I found these chunky red goblets at Clearing House Consignment in Belle Meade, but you can also find great glassware on Replacements.com, eBay or Etsy. This table is great for a Christmas Day lunch, or you can turn it into an evening look by adding candles.
Tip: Your yard is a treasure trove of elements for creating your centerpiece. Clip short branches of cedar, pine and magnolia, or use holly berries or your nandina bush to bring red into it. If you have leftover branches from trimming the bottom of your Christmas tree, you can add those as well! Don’t have these greens growing in your yard? Head over to any Christmas tree lot and they typically have small bundles of greenery to sell. Additionally, you can incorporate natural elements like horns and feathers or extra round ornaments into the piece for an added wow-factor.
