The Best Christmas Table Decorations to Keep Your Spirits Bright
- 1/51
The Best Christmas Table Decorations to Keep Your Spirits Bright
O come, all ye faithful Christmas decorators to the list of our favorite (and easy-to-accomplish) Christmas table decorations. There’s so much to do during the holiday season–from planning Christmas dinner menu to wrapping all the presents (try these tips to wrap like a pro)–that setting the table shouldn’t be stressful. Just like all of the other Christmas decorating ideas, these centerpieces, place settings, floral arrangements, and runners are easy to throw together. Most can be done while guests are snacking away on their favorite Christmas appetizers. You can even get the kids involved by having them make a festive gingerbread house to serve as the centerpiece of your Christmas tablescape. (Or, you can get them out of your hair by distracting them with your latest Elf of the Shelf scheme.)
So, pull out the placemats, spruce up the holiday flowers and blast your favorite Christmas tunes: It’s time to decorate! From classic red-and-green themes, to a subdued Scandinavian-inspired evening, to all the Shiny Brite colors we promise that there is a Christmas table decoration idea on our list that will surely liven up even the Grinchiest of guests.
Rikki Snyder - 2/51
Ornament Trees
Make a slew of these festive and colorful trees to arrange down the center of a table.
To make: Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) 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.
Becky Stayner - 3/51
Movie-Watching Party
Think outside the dining room! From a ticket garland to theater-candy brownies, this cozy flick-themed gathering (complete with downloadable bingo cards) makes movie viewing more memorable. Vintage cookie tins make festive individual popcorn “bowls.” Set out a selection of comfy pillows and warm blankets for snuggling up while viewing.
Becky Stayner - 4/51
Shiny Brite Candlesticks
Decorate the mantel or holiday table with a few of these easy to create festive candlesticks.
To make: Hot-glue ornaments in assorted sizes to silver or glass candlesticks.
Becky Stayner - 5/51
Winterberry Farm Table
Make guests feel cozy with this easy setup—no holiday china required! Just layer on the plaid napkins and blankets as seat cushions for a little holiday pizzazz. Add red or green tapers and snip greens from outside to bring this look together.
Rikki Snyder - 6/51
Shiny Brite Centerpiece
No time? This centerpiece comes together in seconds. Just create a two-tiered table arrangement by placing a footed tureen on a platter and then fill both dishes with your favorite vintage ornaments.
Becky Stayner - 7/51
Winter Wonderland Christmas Table
Textured neutrals and snowy motifs evoke a Scandinavian spirit on this dining table.
To make: Start with the stars. Draw a five-point loop in one end of a piece of silver craft wire. Thread beads on wire, bending wire per drawing as you go. Feed loose end of wire through loop, crimp, and cut. As for the acorn tree centerpiece, paint nuts with white craft paint, leaving caps natural. Attach a loop of twine with hot glue. Hang from a spray-painted branch set inside a spool of twine.
Brian Woodcock - 8/51
Classic Holiday Color Palette
Use spiny leaves and bold berries to create a holly-jolly Christmas table!
To male: Cut holly leaves from dark and light green card stock. Use a bone folder or wooden skewer to indent veins in leave, then trace indents with a green colored pencil. Run down the center of the table and lay red jingle bells throughout. For the straws, attach small die-cut holly leaves and berries to a red-and-white paper straw with a dab of hot glue.
Brian Woodcock - 9/51
Back to Nature
Who says holiday tables have to be decorated with holiday themes? Pinecones, fresh greens and found feathers play off the vintage china in a woodland motif. Set your scene off with natural rattan chargers and twig-inspired silverware. (If you go with faux greenery, you can easily transition this centerpiece from Thanksgiving to Christmas with ease).
Rikki Snyder - 10/51
Christmas Table Bouquets
Lean into the simple life and embrace no-fuss greenery. Add understated holiday flair with simple arrangements of silver dollar eucalyptus and blue thistle in vintage vessels.
Virginia MacDonald - 11/51
Retro Bulb-Themed Bash
This tablescape gets its inspiration from those vintage ceramic trees from Christmases past.
To make: Cut off the bottom of a small round Styrofoam ball and attach vintage Christmas lights to the top and sides with hot glue. For the napkin rings, attach a loop of red-and-white baker's twine to the base of a bulb with hot glue; wrap base completely with twine and around rolled napkins.
Brian Woodcock - 12/51
Candy Cane Stripes
Keep things simple with a classic red and white theme. Strands of red beads mimic the festive look of cranberries, while a simple grosgrain ribbon dresses up a planter.
Get the tutorial at The Lily Pad Cottage.
The Lily Pad Cottage - 13/51
Woodsy Vibe
Fresh greenery, large pine cones, and green-tinted glass make for a stunning, woods-inspired scene. A gingham runner and hand-painted napkins keep things whimsical and fun.
Get the tutorial at The White Buffalo Styling Co.
The White Buffalo Styling Co. - 14/51
Christmas Tree Napkin Folding Idea
Wow your guests with this stunning Christmas tree napkin! Believe it or not, it's super easy to pull off—you just need a few large linen napkins to get started.
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.
Sugar and Charm - 16/51
Evergreen Vases
Who says you have to stick to red and white flowers...or opt for a red and white color scheme at all, for that matter? Here, a collection of different-sized vases filled with evergreen branches look positively sophisticated.
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.
Zan Passante / Sugar and Charm - 17/51
Red and White Vase
Enlist your kids to help with this color-coordinated Christmas craft.
To make: Begin by placing a small pillar vessel inside a larger vase, and fill the gaps between the two with red and white marbles. Then, simply fill the inner container with a mix of anemones, garden roses, and evergreen sprigs.
BRIAN WOODCOCK - 18/51
Vintage Wonderland
With this reclaimed centerpiece, a 1960s Holly Beverage Co. soda crate filled with bottle brush trees adds a touch of festive cheer to the dining nook. The area is furnished with an antique table—which was actually bought at the Country Living Fair!
BRIAN WOODCOCK - 19/51
Silver Bells Candle Centerpiece
You know what silver bells mean—it's Christmas time! Dress up your table in holiday style with shiny candlestick holders that resemble baubles and bells.
Get the tutorial at A Practical Wedding.
Courtesy of A Practical Wedding - 20/51
Peppermint Party
A candy cane-inspired display makes for the sweetest setup.
To make: Start with the place cards. Bend 7-inch-long pieces of 18-gauge gold wire into a candy cane shape. Attach lengths of rosemary with fishing wire. Cut card stock to size and use a red brush-tip pen to stain edges, then write names with a gold pen. Punch a hole in one corner, thread thin red ribbon through hole, and tie around "candy cane." To make the ribbon runner, secure differing widths of red, white, and pink grosgrain ribbon on the diagonal to a burlap runner with strips of thin fusible webbing.
BRIAN WOODCOCK - 21/51
5-Minute Garland Centerpiece
Take a note from Julie Blanner and go simple this year. With fresh and fragrant greenery, red berries, and glowing candles, this elegant combination has all the ingredients for a merry gathering.
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
Courtesy of Julie Blanner - 22/51
Mercury Glass Tablescape
Make your table shine bright with all sorts of mercury glass pieces that beautifully reflect the warmth and glow of burning candles.
Get the tutorial at Bless'er House.
Courtesy of Bless'er House - 23/51
Pomegranate and Cranberries
Pick up some rich red fruits and berries during your grocery store haul for Christmas dinner, pair it with fresh or faux eucalyptus, and consider your holiday table decorating done.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Plate.
Courtesy of A Beautiful Plate - 24/51
Inexpensive Festive Finds
Save money and make a large table feel full by arranging a variety of pieces foraged from the outdoors like a cut tree branch, bunches of fresh pine, and vibrant winter berries.
Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.
Courtesy of Liz Marie Blog - 25/51
French Country Christmas Table
There's nothing more romantic than a little mistletoe and a string of sparkling lights around the holiday season—and both can be found in this pretty centerpiece.
Get the tutorial at The DIY Mommy.
Courtesy of The DIY Mommy - 26/51
Red Truck Centerpiece
With its gingham base, array of bottlebrush trees, and rustic red truck, this tablescape proves there's nothing more fun than Christmas in the country.
Get the tutorial at Rosemary and Thyme.
Courtesy of Rosemary and Thyme - 27/51
Neutral and Metallic Table Setting
Create a beautiful base for your Christmas table setting by layering a burlap cloth and wood slice under your dinnerware, and finish the arrangement with a piece of greenery plucked from your centerpiece.
Get the tutorial at Lauren McBride.
Courtesy of Lauren McBride - 29/51
Simple Holiday Table
This designer keeps the dining room table in her historic Tudor house simple for the season with a blue runner, brass candle holders, and antlers.
Cedric Angeles, styling by Heather Chontos - 30/51
Plaid Prints
This Cape Cod homeowner used complementing tartan patterns to dress up her dining table for the holidays. In addition to plaid blankets, layered here as tablecloths, you can also mix in more pattern with dishware and napkins.
Annie Schlechter, styling by Matthew Gleason - 31/51
Old and New
An eclectic mix of collectibles, vintage treasures, and plenty of bottle brush trees in various shades of green add color to the top of the dining table in this Midwest farmhouse.
David Tsay - 32/51
Hanging Greenery
A weathered wood crate centerpiece brings good tidings to the table surrounded by artfully hung greenery.
Jean Allsopp, styling by Heather Bullard - 33/51
Festive Scene
Serena Thompson's attitude about centerpieces: "Don't overdo it." In the dining room, she paired loose sprigs of greenery (in sap buckets, no less) with her collection of toy deer and bottlebrush trees.
Victoria Pearson - 34/51
Cozy Centerpiece
Fill a glass compote dish with fresh clementines, pine boughs, and candles for a display that smells as good as it looks.
Country Living Staff - 35/51
Bursts of Greenery
A long table features an unexpected centerpiece of live miniature trees and dried rose hips in a galvanized tub. Bright gifts serve as place cards, and lush garlands line exposed shelves.
Country Living Staff - 36/51
Aromatic Centerpiece
Display pine boughs, pinecones and oranges dotted with cloves on a silver tray for an easy but eye-catching centerpiece.
Country Living Staff - 37/51
Mason Jars in a Row
To craft the centerpieces for her dining room table, blogger Kristin Bergthold used cranberries, juniper, and a layer of Epsom salt.
Courtesy of Yellow Bliss Road - 38/51
Red and Green Hues
Leyland cypress, mercury glass votives, and pinecones lend a rustic yet festive air to this Christmas table.
Get the tutorial at Home Is Where the Boat Is.
Courtesy of Home Is Where the Boat Is - 39/51
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.
Get the tutorial at Fynes Designs.
Courtesy of Fynes Designs - 41/51
Table Scatters
Subtle touches are something to celebrate—they add festive charm to your table, and these are no exception. Use a craft punch to cut out stars and scatter them around your plate settings.
Get the tutorial at A Spoonful of Sugar.
Courtesy of A Spoonful of Sugar - 42/51
Cinnamon Stick Candles
Elevate your basic pillar candles by tying a group of cinnamon sticks around them. Add in some small pinecones to enhance the natural vibe of the tablescape. Bonus points if you paint the cinnamon sticks a dreamy white before placing them on the candle.
Courtesy of Celebrate Creativity - 43/51
Framed Ornaments
Christmas bulbs don't just belong on the tree: highlight some of your favorites on the dinner table with this elegant frame.
Get the tutorial at Shanty 2 Chic.
Courtesy of Shanty 2 Chic - 44/51
Pop of Plaid
A classic tartan tablecloth dresses up a space in a polished (but not at all pretentious) way. For a whimsical place setting, slide good old handwritten namecards into the slots of vintage sleigh bells (we found these on eBay) and give new meaning to "be there with bells on."
Burcu Avsar - 45/51
Five-Minute Christmas Luminaries
In just five minutes, you can create these stunning luminaries using jars (Mason jars are our pick, but pickle jars work just as well), cranberries, cedar clippings or something green, and floating candles.
Get the tutorial at Today's Creative Life.
Courtesy of Today's Creative Life - 46/51
White on White
Embrace a neutral holiday palette this year. Here, a neutral tablecloth and slipcovers lighten up the heavy oak dining-room set. A wreath is turned into a framed work of art by hanging it atop a mirror.
Max Kim-Bee - 47/51
Heavenly Holiday Table
A row of birch-bark trees makes for a simple yet stunning centerpiece. Dining chairs get into the holiday spirit with angel wings.
Laura Moss - 48/51
Light Up A Room
Brighten a table with colorful bulbs. Even unplugged lights shine when gathered in a glass apothecary jar. For a container that truly glistens, top it off with a dusting of artificial snow.
THE FARM CHICKS, INC./COURTESY OF STERLING PUBLISHING CO., INC. - 49/51
Festive Centerpiece
Branch out from conventional tablescapes by using an extra-long tree limb as a platform for displaying ornaments. Simply knot lengths of twine around the branch and hang it from a row of five or six ceiling hooks.
Victor Schraeger - 50/51
Inviting Dining Room
Evocative and soothing, candlelight creates the right ambience for the holidays. Lit candles are more than decorative objects, highlighting seasonal festivities and fostering a celebratory mood. Garlands around the door frame beckon guests into the room, and on the mantel sits a pineapple, an early-American symbol of hospitality.
Courtesy of Gridley + Graves - 51/51
Pinecone Centerpieces
Apothecary jars filled with pinecones make a naturally striking centerpiece.
Robin Stubbert
