Simple Ways to Create a Festive-Themed Dining Table

It isn’t the festive season without festive decorations – are we right?! The lights, the tinsel, the baubles, the tree – these things are certainly ‘Christmassy’ in their own ways. But how do you set up your dining table in a festive fashion to set the mood for the season?

Worry not, we’re here to offer some simple ways to make your dinners from here on out truly festive. Read on…

Natural Accents

Pinecones, cranberries and other natural accents can be strewn about artfully in the centre of your table to give it a fresh, outdoorsy look. You can rest these larger accents on a moss table runner (like this one) to bring a bit of nature indoors. Fresh or artificial greenery, such as pine or fir boughs or garlands, can be added on top to bring even more colour to the table.

Festive Tablecloths

A naked wood table has a certain rustic charm to it, but for those of you without such a table, you can dress your own up with festive linens, which include tablecloths, table runners, napkins and placemats.

A red tartan tablecloth evokes the traditional colours of Christmas, as does a deep green or fake moss table runner. White or red cloth napkins can do the trick, but Christmas-themed napkins and placemats can also bring an element of whimsy to the table (no pun intended).

(Learn how to create charming Christmas tree napkin folds with this Instructables tutorial.)

Christmas Crockery

If you have festive chinaware gathering dust somewhere in the back of your cupboards, you may consider breaking them out and putting them to good use.

Create a uniform table setting with a matching crockery set, or you can try out the trend of mismatched dinnerware, perfect if you’re missing plates from one set and missing cups from another. Your dinnerware needn’t be Christmas-themed or -coloured, either. Don’t be afraid to play around with patterns and colours (here are some ideas for making use of mismatched crockery).

Christmas Display Centrepiece

A bowl of evergreens, moss, pinecones and cranberries can make a fresh-looking table centrepiece. Make use of leftover baubles to make your centrepiece more visually appealing. Want to add an aromatic element? Anise stars, cloves and cinnamon sticks will give the bowl a rustic look while also giving the table a pleasantly spicy smell. A pillar candle can even be added at the centre (scented, if you’d like).

(Want more Christmas display ideas? Shelterness has a few for you.)

Scented Candles or Potpourri

During the Christmas dinner, the enticing smells of the meal will overtake the table, but scented candles can ensure there’s a fresh aroma at all times. Some scents associated with Christmas are pine needles, cinnamon and clove, and anything particularly spicy or evocative of baked goods, like Christmas cookies and marzipan.

Potpourri can be used if you don’t want to burn candles. You can buy it from shops like ASDA or Wilko’s, or you can make your own with easy-to-find ingredients (this tutorial uses cranberries, apples, oranges, rosemary, cinnamon sticks and cloves). Not only will a candle or potpourri make your table smell nice, but they’ll look great there as well.

Do you have any top tips of your own for making the Christmas table look lovely.