The kitchen/dining table is where one of the biggest events of the Christmas festivities comes into play, so make sure yours is looking the part for #christmasday2021 From elegant, traditional place settings to all-out, kitsch party table decoration ideas, there’s a style to suit every home for the holidays. Get ready to welcome friends and family in person this year and display all your fabulous festive ideas – just be prepared for the food to take second place.. #Tablescaping is a great way to express your personality and inject individuality into your home at Christmas – here’s some top tips for #christmastabledecor and the latest @forgeshopping picks from @josiesmithmedia
1. Add a personalised touch! We’re all used to place settings at formal gatherings, but make sure you enhance the sense of occasion by including them at your Christmas table.
2. Make impact with simplicity. Berries and pomegranate brighten a simple table setting. Use clementines and physalis if you prefer zesty orange tones. These fruits will add impact to plain white china and neutral table linens. Fruits and berries make a wonderful addition to any other rustic Christmas decorating ideas which you may be trying.
3. Use festive flatware. Layer Christmas-themed crockery for each place setting – a festive jumper-style snowflake design will never date. Team these with tartan placemats and crisp white table linen, both of which you can continue using well after the festivities are over. To add a touch of texture and personality, make sure you think about coasters and placemats just as you do the crockery and glassware.
4. Combine flames with fresh produce. A simple way to elevate the table at home is with glowing candles or lanterns. Tall, glowing dinner candles in varying heights on the table adds a party feel. A colour-combo of candles can look sumptuous and liven up a simpler setting. Similarly, the flowers and foliage you choose can have a real impact. They could be sprawling, banquet-like vines, or vases of blossomy hydrangeas in snow white. By picking out colours in the tableware for the florals, it really brings the scheme together. A quick cheat is having bowls of pomegranates or clementines on the table, for pops of bright colour.
5. Go greener. Presents are always a lovely touch to bring to a Christmas table but now, more than ever, it’s time to look at more eco-friendly ideas. Never underestimate the excitement of leaving little keepsakes for guests on the table. As it’s the festive season, you might want to put velvet bow napkin ties, candy-stripe bags of humbugs or ribbon-tied baubles at each place. No matter how small, guests will feel gleeful at their surprise, festive token.
6. Make it work harder. If you’re decorating your table for Christmas, then it seems a shame to only use it for the one meal. Of course, many people adapt it slightly to use for a New Year’s setting, but that’s not all you can do. Bring a true sense of occasion to your home and add something extra to your Christmas countdown by setting the dining table for a festive breakfast too. Some themed crockery can take the place of any more impressive or delicate centrepiece you’re bringing in to the main event. Keep things simple so it’s easy to switch out when it’s time to prep for turkey time.
8. Welcome the outside in. Bring a hint of greenery to the table. More than ever, we’re looking for ways to connect with nature. Create a Christmas scene of natural joy, filled with gathered greenery made into beautiful arrangements along the dinner table.String clustered bundles of sweetly scented herbs and foliage above the table using garden twine, that can scale the full length of the table to add both decoration and scent. Use potted plants and thoughtfully placed sprigs on place settings to tie in further elements of nature at the table.
9. Set up a drinks station! Whatever the situation is for Christmas this year, one thing’s for sure…drinks will be required. Whether it’s a Zoom celebration or a small number gathered, still go all out and set up a dedicated drinks station. Concoct classic cocktails with the help of a stylish home bar. Blend cocktails beautifully in delicate glass beakers with the aid of a handy mixologist set.
10. Keep it classic with country style. Mix traditionally festive colours of red and green with cute country-style touches for a warm Christmas look. Start by dressing the table in tartan and plain tablecloths for colour and texture. Add natural rush placemats, wood-handled cutlery and a mix of pretty candle holders for a natural theme and stack patterned plates with a contrasting colour to add interest. Finally, create a name holder from threading nuts, herbs and berries into a garland and dress a cracker in an embroidered linen napkin.
YANKEE CANDLE Snowflake Frost Holder @ £5.00
This versatile, festive candle accessory provides an easy way to enhance the look of any room, from modern to traditional. Use in multiple arrangements for dramatic impact. Designed to hold Votive Candles or Tea Light Candles. This would also make a thoughtful and affordable Christmas gift.
PRIMARK Christmas Ivory Reindeer Print Serving Dish @ £7.00
A traditional and kitsch looking serving dish. Team with a tartan tablecloth.
ASDA White Christmas Snowman Tumbler: Set of 4 @ £8.00
Entertaining kids at your dining table this December the 25th? Then opt for these cute glasses. White/Set of 4/Glass/H12.6 x W9.3 x D9.3cm. Coordinating items available! Not suitable for dishwashers.
THE WORKS 100 Large Self-Adhesive Festive Paper Chains: Assorted @ £2.00
Create amazing festive themed decorations with these fantastic Large Self-Adhesive Festive Paper Chains, perfect for your home, party and more! Featuring festive characters, striped and plain designs, these chains are simple to put together and great for the classroom or for kids’ parties. What’s more, these large sized paper chains are each self-adhesive making it quick and easy to make amazing decorations. A Christmas party must-have!
ASDA Festive Gingerbread House Serving Plate: Set of 2 @ £12.00
These serving plates are adorable. Multicoloured/Set of 2/Earthenware/L23.7cm x W27.4cm x H3.6cm. Coordinating items available! Dishwasher safe
PRIMARK Silicone Snowflake Cookie Mould @ £3.50
I’m going to use these as ice cube trays. You can use silicone moulds in so many ways though – the possibilities are endless!
THE WORKS Frosted Christmas Trees: 10 Pack @ £3.00
Show off your creativity this Christmas and make gorgeous crafts with this pack of 10 Frosted Christmas Trees. These shapes make the perfect embellishment for creating gorgeous cards, and other craft projects. (Pack of 10. Measure: 5.5cm x 2.5cm)
PRIMARK Christmas Silvertone Stag Napkin Rings: 2 Pack @ £3.50
These will add a real touch of class to any dining table this Christmas! Adorn linen/cloth napkins with this luxe stag design.
ASDA White Snow Scene Champagne Glass: Set of 4 @ £12.00
Festive fizz is a must! These glasses will make a fun addition to any table. White/Set of 4/Glass/H25 x W7 x D7cm. Coordinating items available. Not suitable for dishwashers.
THE WORKS Christmas Cookie Cutters: Pack of 10 @ £3.00
Get creative and make some wonderful festive shapes with this delightful pack of 10 Christmas Cookie Cutters. Shapes include: 1 x Snowflake, 1 x Bell, 1 x Moon, 1 x Christmas Tree, 1 x Angel, 1 x Stocking, 1 x Heart, 1 x Candy Cane, 1 x House and 1 x Star. Enjoy some baking fun with your little ones this Christmas. This set includes all the festive shapes you need for delicious Christmassy cookies! We all know that you can use cookie cutters to cut out all kinds of cookies but remember any food that’s firm enough to hold its shape can be cut. Fudge, Rice Krispies treats, brownies. What if you made a cheesecake-like batter in a bar pan and cut that with cookie cutters? Your only limit is your imagination! Make shaped omelettes and pancakes. Decorate a pie. Cake decorating – you can use the cookie cutters to make impressions in a cake’s frosting or to make a stencil for sprinkling coloured sugar or sprinkles. Dress up a tray of appetizers, a plate of pasta, a pizza, potato salad, or any meal. Cheese, meats, vegetables like bell peppers, and fruit like apples and pears can all be cut and displayed on a tray, with other finger foods, or as a garnish on a meal. Wouldn’t it be a crowd-pleaser if all the pepperoni on your pizza were shapes? Sandwich shapes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd of pre-schoolers or dinner party guests, everyone loves shaped food, right? Have you ever considered packing sandwiches shapes in school lunches? Toast and butter. Use large cookie cutters to imprint buttered toast. If you’re so inclined, you can dust inside (or outside) the cookie cutter with powdered sugar, cinnamon, or even coloured sugar or sprinkles. Slice pats of butter a little thinner than usual and use mini cookie cutters to cut them into shapes.
