Whether you’re planning a small-scale Christmas lunch with your family or a larger, more formal Christmas-inspired wedding reception, here’s how to make the most of your Christmas table decor and those special finishing touches that everyone will remember fondly for years to come.
Image courtesy of My French Country Home Blogspot.
Colours and style
Choose your colours. Just a glimpse at the plain white and subtle mink colours used in the image above show that you don’t need to go all out with the red and green at Christmas, and sometimes less is more. If money is limited, it makes sense to take your cue from your surroundings:
White
If you have white walls then a crisp snow white theme – with added sparkle by way of an accent colour – will work well. Individual glass candle holders with white candles and silver table confetti make for an elegant Christmas table. Crystal garlands hanging from candelabra create a Christmas feel without even a hint of red and green. All shades of blue, and particularly light blue, works beautifully with this simple theme if you want to add some colour.
Red
If your space has red walls and even an open fire then it makes sense to build on that warm colour scheme with rich red and gold decorations. Red table linens with white candelabra holding gold candles will look truly stunning as will crisp white linens with gold candle holders and red candles. Don’t be tempted to add in green decorations for a traditional Christmas look: the red, white and gold is enough.
Green
If you have a white room but want to add some life to it then green and ivory is another Christmas colour scheme that works very well. Decorate the table with an abundance of leafy green winter foliage, dried winter flowers and crystal, silver or gold accents.
Purple
Not thought of as a Christmas colour as such, purple is a gorgeous alternative for anyone wanting something a little different for their Christmas table. A rich regal purple looks vibrant against a Christmassy gold and works well with white and green too so you can add in your snow white or green foliage for a richly decorative look.
Image courtesy of Pink Frosting.com.au.
Christmas candles
Lighting really sets the scene. Candlelight gives a lovely romantic Christmas feel so if there’s space have candles in the centre of a round table or in a line down a long rectangular table to add interest as well as light.
Filled votive holders in an array of colours make wonderful table decorations while elegant candelabras and chandeliers look fabulous for a more formal Christmas table. For anyone with small children at the table flameless candles are just the thing.
If you’re short of space, add candles safely around the room to shelves or in hanging lanterns from window frames. Fairylights around the room also add a pretty Christmassy charm.
Images from Marian and Mike’s Real Wedding.
Christmas centrepieces
A centrepiece provides the table with a focal point, adds interest for the guests and gives the whole room style. Keep table centrepieces low so guests can see over the top, or slim and tall so they can see around them.
Birdcages are very striking at the centre of a table. Fill with holly and ivy for a Christmas look or add winter flowers and foliage, silver-sprayed dried flowers, white feathers or fake fur.
Crystal twig trees are lovely at the centre of a Christmas table, as are floral arrangements or simple candle displays and Sweet Trees are a real show stopper.
Image courtesy of Sweet Trees by Rivera.
Christmas favours and table gifts
Favours and table gifts make a meal complete. Practical presents such as wine bottle stoppers are ideal and with a snowflake design they’re perfect for your Christmas tables. For children cute snow shakers are a lovely keepsake.
For a more personal gift, have a silver-plated compact, trinket box or watch, engraved for someone special with a lovely message they can treasure for always.
Images from the Confetti Shop.
Finishing touches
Add extra sparkle with a scattering of table confetti or table gems and don’t forget your Christmas crackers. Add place names to each cracker instead of buying place cards too.
Delicate dried red rose petals add a romantic look and feel to the tables. Just remember to save some for your bath and bed that night…
Images from the Confetti Shop.
