How to lay the perfect Christmas dining table
Forget the presents or your exquisitely decorated tree, we all know that the best part of Christmas Day is the food, so you need a tablescape that will do it justice.
Pulling together a special look for your table is a great way to flex your creativity and bring the family together — the Christmas meal is something all of us can appreciate as a special time to spend with loved ones.
As such, we’ve put together some Christmas table ideas that will impress guests and showcase your famous roast potatoes the way they deserve.
Use a tablecloth or runner
Using a tablecloth is an easy way to change up your table’s look for the festive season, forming a beautiful backdrop for all of your hard work in the kitchen. It also helps protect your furniture from spills and drips.
You don’t have to opt for traditional reds and greens — a cloth in a neutral colour can be dressed up for the season with a Christmassy centrepiece and repurposed for other occasions.
If you don’t like tablecloths, a simple runner will create a more minimal look. Jen Fox, stylist at online interior design service Interior Fox, says she’ll be using one long runner down the centre of her Christmas table, with shorter ones positioned vertically in front of chairs to create a layered look. Use a solid colour for the horizontal one and a patterned design for the verticals for added interest.
Add some placemats
Next, add texture with some placemats. Round styles will take up less space than rectangular ones, which might be handy if you’re squeezing in lots of guests. Alternatively, as it’s Christmas, opt for a festive shape such as a snowflake. Look after them properly and they should last you for years to come.
When it comes to colour, gold and silver tones are always appropriate but it’s more important to choose a hue that complements your plates and tablecloth. “My scheme this year is going to be very simple and chic,” says Jen. “I’m using warm neutrals, bright whites and dusty baby blues.”
Mix and match tableware
You don’t have to go with everything the same for your plates and bowls — plenty of retailers offer separates so you can mix and match. For a classic look, use neutral tones for large and small plates and add a pop of colour with red bowls, for example.
Dark colours like charcoal grey and navy blue are chic — they look especially sophisticated when paired with gold cutlery. Again, opting for a less obviously festive palette means you can reuse them throughout the year, so you get better value for money.
Don’t forget the napkins
Use the same material for your napkins and tablecloth for a cohesive scheme. Little baubles make good napkin rings for Christmas and you can place a few more across the table for good measure.
“Baubles aren’t just for the tree,” says interior designer and Great British Interior Design Show judge Sophie Robinson. “Add them to place settings by putting them in a dish or tying them to the back of chairs.” If you’ve got stray baubles that don’t go with this year’s tree theme, this is a good place to repurpose them to avoid wastage.
If you’re using metal napkin rings, use the same shade for your cutlery (both silver or gold, for example) — it will look much more polished.
Finish with a striking centrepiece
Now for the fun bit — the table centrepiece. Jen and Sophie both recommend using plenty of greenery so invest in some real or faux leafy garlands and position them along the middle of your table. “Weave lengths of satin ribbon and nestle a few shimmery baubles and candlesticks in-between the foliage for a striking look,” says Sophie.
Two or three smaller wreaths filled with candles dotted along the length of your table also look great. This year, Jen is opting for eucalyptus with a mixture of light blue and white candlesticks. “A simple set up with fresh flowers or greenery in clear glass vases always looks great,” she says. “Don’t underestimate the power of tea lights in clear glass votives for adding ambiance too.”
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