Christmas table decoration ideas for a showstopper of a festive meal

The table is where one of the biggest events of the festivities comes into play, so make sure yours is looking the part. From elegant place settings to all-out party Christmas table decoration ideas, there’s a style to suit every home for the holidays.

Get ready to welcome friends and family in this year and display all of your fabulous Christmas ideas – just be prepared for the food to take second place.

Christmas table decoration ideas

‘Tablescaping is a great way to express your personality and inject individuality into the home at Christmas,’ says Rosie Ward, Creative Director at Ward & Co. ‘This year, many of us are hoping to go big with our festive scenery, pulling out all the stops as we finally get to enjoy time together and celebrate around the table.’

1. Add a personalised touch

Image credit: Future PLC

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. If you’re having drinks before dinner, or will be moving to another room after eating, then consider attaching the name tags to ribbons.

These tags can be quickly and easily handmade in line with your Christmas dining room ideas design. Once your guests have been seated, encourage them to tie the ribbon around the base of their glass as a helpful way to identify glassware as people start to move around the home.

2. Make impact with simplicity

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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 using.

3. Use festive flatware

Image credit: George Home

Layer Christmas-themes 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

Image credit: Future PLC

‘Let there be light!,’ say the teams at Nyetimber and Lay London. ‘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 mood. 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. ‘Flowers make the table sing. These 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. Choose an Art-Deco style

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The Art Deco look brings glamour to seasonal styling. Think flapper feathers and bugle beads, soft velvet ribbons and cool Jazz Age patterns, brimming with holiday spirit.

‘A dramatic blue tablescape is perfect for those that dine on Christmas evening, or could also work well for a New Year’s Eve party,’ adds Rosie Ward.