Image courtesy of: Craftberry Bush
This beautiful traditional Christmas tablescape designed by Lucy of Craftberry Bush incorporates black, white, gold and red. From the plaid napkins to white and red serving ware, evergreen boughs, ball ornaments, twinkling candles, and gold battery operated string lights, this table setting is bold,  festive and gorgeous.

Images courtesy of: @casadeperrin

The holidays are all about entertaining and it all comes down to setting a great table and creating a festive environment. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your party.

The Perfect Menu

The key to staying stress-free is to carefully plan your menu. Start by choosing what style you’d like to incorporate for entertaining your guests, whether it be casual and relaxed to elegant and sophisticated.

Set a Festive Scene

The menu establishes the mood – and the tableware and decorations set the scene. All white dishes are a versatile choice. Color and pattern can be added with gorgeous centerpieces, festive glassware, linens, and candlesticks. Napkin rings set the perfect finishing touch. Mercury glass votives are perfect for holding small plant cuttings, like holly or white roses. Add handwritten place cards to make your guests feel special and help make the table feel warm and inviting.

Be Playful with Color

Go with traditional green and red, or think about incorporating shimmering silver and gold. Color can also be added with beets, apples, radishes, and florals. Tartan is a classic choice, but using it in an unexpected way gives it new life.

Let Nature be Your Inspiration

During the holiday season, there is a wide variety of floral arrangements that have berries and holly. Evergreen plants, ferns, branches, and pinecones a rustic tone to the table and make a unique alternative to standard arrangements.

Images courtesy of: Anderson & Grant
This rustic woodland Christmas tablescape was designed by Jame of the Anderson and Grant blog. Jamie had purchased a set of silver deer napkin rings several months ago that was the inspiration to this table design. Table runners are the perfect way to add texture, pattern, and color to any tablescape. Jamie chose to layer a pretty plaid scarf purchased from a thrift store over top of a traditional table runner to create a more cozy feel. Layered on top of the runner is a centerpiece made from greenery, mercury glass candle holders, tea light cups, silver glitter deer and antlers. She also casually spread tiny silver ornaments around the table. The silver on the plates reinforces the silver elements throughout the table.

Images courtesy of: Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma Plaid Tablecloth

Bluebird Christmas Tablescape

Image courtesy of: Ella Claire
Ella, curator of the Ella Claire Inspired Blog went on the traditional and nostalgic side by incorporating classic reds and greens with berries, pomegranates, and little gingerbread cakes. She started the table with a red striped table runner and added a flower arrangement she made with grocery store flowers, such as eucalyptus, white hydrangeas, hypericum berries, and blue thistle Eryngiums.  She added a few pomegranates to create interest as well as a few mercury glass ornaments for added sparkle.

Image courtesy of: Rooms for Rent Blog
Bre, curator of the Rooms for Rent Blog used her favorite mercury glass trees that she purchased a few years ago for this stunning Christmas tablescape, as well as fresh Eucalyptus branches to add whimsy. She used a plaid wool blanket in deep forest green and navy blues to ground the entire centerpiece. It’s the perfect contrast to the white linen tablecloth and silver trees. She then tucked in a few silver deer votive holders to create a woodsy feel, with the antlers providing an elevated height for a warm candlelight glow in the evening. The blue goblets work well with the deep blues in the wool blanket, adding a glorious jeweled tone look. Festive…with an unexpected twist.

For each place setting, she added a Eucalyptus stem and then topped it off with a mercury glass ornament tied with a sage green ribbon. A very unique and beautiful design!

Image courtesy of: William Sonoma Blog

Shop the Post

Sources:

Totah, Monelle. Recipe for a Happy Holiday Table. Williams Sonoma. https://blog.williams-sonoma.com/recipe-for-a-happy-holiday-table/ November 29,2011

Attenborough, Allison. Setting the Perfect Holiday Table. Willams Sonoma https://blog.williams-sonoma.com/setting-the-perfect-holiday-table/December 19,2013