Christmas Table Settings

Plan Your Table

When you are hosting the Christmas meal, whether it is just for your immediate family or for a large circle of relatives and friends, you no doubt spend a lot of time planning your menu and making sure the meal itself is going to be just perfect. If you want to use great Christmas table settings, it pays to spend a little bit of time planning your table as well. This planning will make your Christmas meal go smoother and make your table decorating process more enjoyable.

First things first: do a quick inventory of the table decorations you already have on hand before you hit the shops. You may already have a tablecloth and napkins that will work for your Christmas table décor, or you may have a special centerpiece you can build your design around. Chances are you have a lot more things you can use for your Christmas table than you realize, so check things out – your overstressed Christmastime bank balance will thank you for it.

Next, decide on a style for your Christmas table settings. Do you want to have a formal meal? Do you want things classic and casual? Are you planning a family style Christmas feast? The kind of meal you want to host will guide your design, and don’t forget to factor in your guest list before you settle on the perfect design style. The kind of table that works for the grown ups may not be so kid friendly, so choose your décor accordingly.

Last but not least, before you hit the shops, measure your table. Even if you don’t need to pick up a new tablecloth, the measurements will come in handy when checking out centerpieces and accessories. If you do need a new tablecloth or a table runner and you are going to be adding the leaf to the table to accommodate extra guests, don’t forget to measure with the leaf IN the table. Sounds obvious, but it gets people every time.

Christmas Table Settings – Ideas in Action

Put these Christmas table setting ideas into action on your table – the general themes work for any style of design; switch up the colors, prints and textures to match your tastes:

• Place cards for each guest will make your company feel at home. Decorate the place cards with Christmas images and write the names in Christmas colors (gold and silver Sharpies or paint pens work great).
• Instead of a traditional centerpiece, fill a glass bowl with round bulb Christmas ornaments. If your table is long, try using three or four bowls down the center of the table.

• Turn ordinary candlesticks into Christmas candlesticks by tying a bow in Christmas colors around the candle. You can use several of these around the table as decoration on their own or incorporate one or two into another centerpiece.

• Christmas decorating often uses natural elements, so make use of seasonal favorites like poinsettias, pine cones, cranberries, and holly on your table. These things can all be used to make great centerpieces – for instance, wrap some holly around the base of pillar candles or build a wreath featuring pine cones, poinsettia flowers and cranberries.

• Plate chargers in Christmas colors add a touch of pizzazz to your Christmas table settings, and they look especially great on white tablecloths.

Your Christmas Table Tips

What is your must-have for your Christmas table? Share your Christmas table decorating ideas here by leaving a comment.