So, this year it's your turn: the Christmas dinner will be held at your home, and setting the Christmas table will be yours. We know, a little anxiety is inevitable. Comparing yourself to the legendary table settings of your aunts, mothers-in-law, and grandmothers worries you.
Cheer up, don't worry: in this guide, you'll find tons of ideas for setting an elegant Christmas table that reflects your style!
Source: Pinterest
We'll look at the basic rules for a truly memorable table setting, along with plenty of inspiration for decorating your Christmas table in recognizable styles.
We're sure that by the end of this guide, you'll have a thousand fantastic ideas for setting the most beautiful Christmas table ever. Let's get to work!
The Perfect Christmas Table: Basic Etiquette
Source: Pinterest
For an impeccably elegant Christmas table (even in the eyes of your etiquette-obsessed great-aunt), the rules are the same as for any other chic table setting. Luckily, they're few and simple to follow!
Here are some tips for carefully crafting a classy Christmas table setting!
1) Cutlery: As Jack taught us aboard the Titanic, arranging cutlery is an elegant dance. Cutlery is always used starting with the ones furthest from the plate. The knife goes on the right with the blade facing inward; the spoon, if present, is to the right of the knife. On the left, one or two forks. Dessert cutlery, whether teaspoon or fork, is placed horizontally in front of the plate, but you can also serve it directly with the dessert.
2) Glasses: Glasses go on the top right, and don't forget that white and red wines require different glasses! If your Christmas table is very spacious, you can add a truly chic touch by using bread plates instead of a single basket for everyone at the top left.
Source: Pinterest
3) The Napkin: You can also place it directly on the plate, preferably with a nice napkin holder. A really cute idea is to include place cards, or even a small printed menu for each guest. Condiments? It's best not to bring them to the table unless you have a nice set of oil, salt, and pepper shakers to show off!
4) The Centerpiece: The heart of your Christmas table! Be careful not to block everyone's eyes. If you use candles, you have two options: choose very low ones (even tea lights) or, conversely, place them in very tall candelabras so they don't obstruct the view.
And remember: you don't say "enjoy your meal" or "cheers!"
Here are the rules of etiquette for the Christmas table! Simple to implement, easy to remember, and accessible to everyone. But a proper Christmas table is also the realm of decorations and ornaments: how do you make it truly special?
Source: Pinterest
The truth is, everyone can set a grand Christmas table with an unlimited budget! The real challenge is to do it by making the most of what we already have, with small, targeted purchases that we can perhaps reuse.
To navigate the myriad ideas for your Christmas table, first consider the style of your dining room. This will guide you: there will certainly be a trend that suits your home decor better than others. Choose that and let's start figuring out how to make it happen!
How to set a red and white Christmas table
Source: Pinterest
Ah, the charm of tradition! A red Christmas table has the nostalgic feel of homes of yesteryear. A touch of red will be a splendid contrast with the white and will allow you to warm up the atmosphere of an elegant and timeless Christmas table.
Here are some tips for setting a classic Christmas table featuring red and white!
- Use red sparingly: A white tablecloth with a red runner or small accents like napkin rings and centerpieces will be the perfect compromise! Play with the contrast of red and white and add an elegant touch to your Christmas table.
- The charm of tartan: Set your Christmas table with a tartan tablecloth and you'll give the setting a very British chic look. You could also pair red with green for the decorations: a classic that never goes out of style!
Source: Pinterest
- Centerpiece with scarlet berries: Opt for sprigs of red berries and place them in vases of various sizes. This way, in addition to the touch of red, you'll also add a nod to nature and the beauty of the cold season!
- A very sweet Christmas table: Want a more playful effect? Try setting a "sweet"-themed Christmas table using red and white candy canes as placeholders: the kids will love them!
Let nostalgia and tradition meet on your pink and white Christmas table! Experiment, have fun, and let yourself be enveloped in the warmth of a timelessly beautiful atmosphere!
The rustic green Christmas table: embrace Scandinavian charm!
Source: Pinterest
If you have a home with minimalist or Scandinavian decor, a rustic Christmas table is definitely the perfect fit.
Don't imagine decorating a house in the city (even if you live downtown!), but a cabin in the woods: the scent of pine trees, the raw wood, the snow, the silence... A Scandinavian-style Christmas is the reign of pristine nature, and this also applies to the Christmas table!
Here's how to set a rustic, Nordic-inspired Christmas table!
- Play with white and brown: For a rustic Christmas table, the tablecloth should be white, green, or even plain. If you have a beautiful wooden table, now's the time to show it off! Instead, use placemats and runners, always in shades of green, gold, and brown, to leave the tabletop with all its beautiful grain exposed.
Source: Pinterest
- If you have a rectangular table, avoid the classic centerpiece: Experiment with evergreen branches (pine, fir, larch) to create a garland across the table. Add cotton flowers, pine cones, fairy lights, and candles for a charming atmosphere at almost no cost!
- Wood, wood, and more wood: For a truly rustic Christmas table, use wooden crates as a base for your centerpiece, perhaps contrasted with elegant golden candles: the effect will be totally unexpected! Or, why not use tree trunks as placemats? Bring nature to your Scandinavian Christmas table!
Immerse yourself in the Scandinavian atmosphere of a rustic, nature-inspired Christmas table: your Christmas lunch will have a truly unique, charming style that will captivate your guests!
The Blue and Silver Christmas Table: Regal Elegance for the Holidays
Source: Pinterest
If you have a classic and particularly elegant home, the blue and silver Christmas table is truly regal and guaranteed to wow! This almost luxurious color combination enhances the Christmas atmosphere even further without going off-topic.
How to decorate the blue and silver Christmas table? Here are a few simple rules to follow to wow your guests!
- Choose peacock blue: Instead of the traditional midnight blue, opt for a warmer shade closer to teal. You can use peacock blue for napkins and napkin rings, while a white tablecloth will add a touch of light to your elegant Christmas table.
Source: Pinterest
- Gold accents: The perfect match for a blue and silver Christmas table! If you have cutlery, glasses, or plates with gold details, now's the time to bring them out to add a regal touch to your table setting.
- And the centerpiece? The ideal setting for this type of Christmas table is a centerpiece with baubles: you can use the pine garland idea from the previous paragraph, but decorate it a bit like you would a Christmas tree. Use at least two or three shades of blue for a three-dimensional effect.
Your blue and silver Christmas table is ready! A symphony of elegance and regalness that will transform your space into a stage fit for a queen.
The Shabby Chic Christmas Table: Romantic Festive Atmospheres!
Source: Pinterest
Shabby chic Christmas is a romantic treasure trove of festive atmospheres, and if your home is decorated in this style... Well, in that case, your Christmas table should also be decorated accordingly!
How to set a romantic Christmas table in true shabby chic style? Let's see together!
- Choose a tablecloth in neutral tones: White, ivory, beige, or dove gray are perfect colors for a shabby chic Christmas table! The ultimate romantic touch? Embroidered linen and lace trims are a must-have.
- Vintage tableware: A retro-inspired choice, what could be better than plates edged with little flowers? Also choose glasses and cutlery with delicate inlays and facets to complete the table setting for an elegant and perfect shabby chic Christmas table.
Source: Pinterest
- Jute table runners and napkin holders: They're perfect for enhancing the rustic side of shabby chic style and adding a timeless, country touch to your table.
- Create a shabby chic centerpiece! Choose your most beautiful lanterns, preferably in pairs, and have fun arranging them with pine, fairy lights, baubles (in shades of antique pink, gold, and beige, or even jute-covered), and candles. Alternatively, use beautiful candlesticks to give your Christmas table a more sophisticated and elegant look!
The result, we guarantee, will be refined, original, and truly astonishing. It's certainly not every day you get to sit around a shabby chic Christmas table!
Here we go: have you decided how to set your Christmas table this year? We're confident that, with our tips and a pinch of creativity, you'll be able to create a Christmas table that will leave everyone speechless!
