10 Ideas for Setting a Festive Holiday Table
- Molly Ishmael
- Nov 14, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 13, 2022
There's something extra festive about a gorgeously set table to gather friends and family for special occasions. Getting out the "good china," as our grandmothers said... unfurling the tablecloth... lighting candles and gathering fresh flowers... I just can't get enough of the fun!
Scroll down for photos of my tables over the years PLUS 10 ideas to set your own table this year. And please, comment with photos of tables you've set, too! I'd love to see it all.
My Thanksgiving table a few years ago. (Photo 1)
Confession: I keep my dining table set all the time. This serves two purposes: It looks nice AND it prevents clutter from ending up on the table. What is it about an empty table that seems to attract junk mail? Beat the system - set your table and prevent clutter from living there! We're in a rental right now with no table at all, but I have plenty of photos from past homes and as soon as we're in our new house, the table setting fun shall begin again! I can't wait.
Below are 10 Ideas for Setting a Festive Holiday Table - or to set your table all year round, for that matter!
Also, check out my shop for a few of my personal favorite pieces:
A simple centerpiece can make a big difference. (Photo 2)
10 Ideas for Setting a Festive Holiday Table
1. Build a beautiful centerpiece. Create a visually interesting focal point and conversation piece by layering and clustering contrasting elements. This could be mercury glass vases with fresh flowers and berries set on a metal charger, as in Photo 2, or a cluster of candles in unique holders on a wooden tray, or a fabric table runner topped with decorative orbs in a glittery bowl. It all needs to work together but you can totally mix up different elements. In Photo 1 (scroll up) of the natural themed Thanksgiving table, I mixed gold and silver tone metals with mismatched glass candle holders, and all white candles for consistency. In the photo above of the blue and white table, there is a metallic beaded table runner. The non-fabric runner feels unique (and bonus, it can be simply rinsed with water in case of spills.) You can use lots of elements or just a few, whatever your style!
Tip: Keep any centerpiece flowers or plants low so you can see each other over the table. In Photo 6 (scroll down), there are just a few tall stems that add some height and drama and they're very thin so they don't impede the ability to comfortably see each other and talk over the table.
Photo 3: Last year's Thanksgiving table place setting.
2. Add a fun placemat. This could be almost any material or texture such as the faux leaves which you see in my photo above. There are plenty of options out there. Cloth placemats are a nice washable option. You can also use woven materials that wipe off easily. I'm all about low maintenance table settings - after all, they're probably going to get food or wine on them at some point in their lives. Keep it affordable or at least easy to clean, and don't sweat the small stuff during dinner.
Tip: Nothing says you have to limit yourself to one placemat! In the photo above, I layered two placemats, one woven silver and the other faux leaves. Alternatively, you could use one placemat per setting but alternate styles every other seat to add some visual interest.
Photo 4: Easter dinner table a few years ago.
3. Layer in a colorful or metallic charger. This is the large dish that goes below your actual dinner plate. In my photo above, I used a floral pink and purple charge for the Easter / spring season.
Tip: Swapping out chargers is a fun and easy way to change up table settings for the season. You can find chargers pretty affordably especially if you're willing to use plastic or buy on the clearance rack. I know I do!
Photo 5: All this Christmas brunch table is missing is pretty napkins.
4. Coordinate dishes with the rest of the setting. I love plain white dishes. It stands out against colorful chargers but doesn't distract too much from the main attractions - such as the centerpieces, the napkins, and of course, the food! Colorful rims are lots of fun too, or full-on vintage florals, for that matter! Almost any dish can be beautiful when paired with other coordinating table settings.
Tip: If your dishes have a colorful pattern, make sure to tie in that color somewhere else on the table. Add few colorful candles or beaded napkin rings to tie in the dishes with the rest of the setting. But of course, not everything has to be dictated by the dishes. Just include them in some way and then get creative elsewhere.
Photo 6: Try cloth napkins - they're washable and pretty! Plus you can get creative with napkin rings!
5. Try using cloth napkins (and don't forget the napkin rings!) I like to use cloth napkins for sit-down dinners for several reasons: One, they are washable and sustainable. Second, they just feel nicer and more "special." Third, it gives me an excuse to use napkin rings, haha. On a serious note, cloth napkins can be very affordable, sometimes less than a dollar each and you can wash and reuse them for years.
Tip: Amazon sells sets of satin & cotton napkins very affordably. Check out my shop to see a few of my favorites:
6. Napkin Rings, the frosting of the table world. Beaded... metal... wooden... acrylic... floral... fabric... handmade... crystal... initials... colorful... holiday-themed... These are a few of my favorite things - and you can find it all in napkin rings! And that rhymed... does the fun never end? :)
Tip: As for napkin rings, well, that's where the fun starts! Napkin rings are another great way to mix it up seasonally with very little effort. You can keep a few decorative sets in your tablecloth drawer.
Photo 7: Outdoor dining table at our last house. Yes, it's all plastic, perfect for casual BBQs!
7. Add drama with colorful accent dishes. The soup or salad bowl, for instance, are good places to get creative. Nothing says all your dishes need to match. In fact, I'm partial to layering different mismatched pieces. I keep consistency in other ways, such as by using matching napkins and silverware. Though you could totally reverse this - for example, you could mix up the napkins and keep the dishes consistent. Mainly, don't be afraid to get creative and try different things! You can totally toss in some unexpected elements balanced with simplicity in other ways.
Tip: Not everything on the table needs to match. However, it's a good idea to coordinate some things to tie everything else together.
Photo 8: My favorite Christmas combo, pine & oses.
8. Use real flowers. I have my fair share of silk flowers the same as anyone, but I also LOVE real flowers And not just for special occasions - sometimes I buy myself $5 flowers while grocery shopping as a little treat, and I can't wait to get home to set them out. There is something so special about a fresh bouquet on the dining able, the kitchen island, your coffee table, anywhere! You can really get creative for the holidays. My personal favorite Christmas combination is pine branches and white roses.
Tip: Flowers don't have to be expensive. Trader Joe's and Publix, for example, have lovely bouquets starting at $3 and $4 as of yesterday when I bought one myself. :)
Photo 9: Christmas Eve dinner one year I tied place cards to little bags of candy.
9. Make place cards or favors. Place cards are such a nice way to honor each guest and make them feel that you prepared especially for them. On the other hand, some people don't like place cards because they don't want to be constrained where to sit, but you can convey to your guests it's just for fun and they're free to change chairs, of course!
Tip: Favors are especially fun if kids are attending, but really, who doesn't like a little favor! Even your adult guests will appreciate a little chocolate or small candle they can take home with them.
Photo 10: Try hanging ornaments or a garland from your chandelier - safely, of course!
10. Decorate above the table, too! Why should the party stop with the table? Try hanging ornaments from the chandelier above the table. You could also hang bows, curling ribbon, or even a garland. The whole dining room can join in the festivities!
Tip: Only decorate light fixtures if you can do so safely, of course. To avoid a fire hazard, be sure to avoid placing anything flammable near a possible hot light bulb or wiring, and also make sure your light fixture can take the extra weight.
And those are my 10 Ideas for Setting a Festive Holiday Table! Have fun setting your tables this year, and I can't wait to be back in the game next year. Happy Holidays to all!
With Love,
Molly
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