Family time
Written by: Claire Sugden
The main event! Turkeys, trimmings and too much Christmas pudding are only part of what makes Christmas Day lunch truly special. The rest: styling, sprucing, and heaps of sparkle. Read on to discover how to make your festive table a moment to remember.
Choose your theme
Setting the scene for your Christmas meal starts with choosing the right festive theme. Traditional red and green styling lends a timeless, classic appeal to any tablescape: think mismatched napkins, red LED taper candles, heirloom crockery and lush fir foliage. It’s warm, nostalgic and effortlessly festive. For something a little more contemporary (not to mention Instagram-ready), consider a simple white or cream Scandi palette. Pair neutral linens with pops of deep red alongside white flatware and gold crockery. Light-up decorations in mercury glass or ceramic make the perfect centrepieces for this more modern, pared-back look.
Add some sparkle
Christmas dinner calls for more than a little magic, and lighting is the easiest way to add ambience and sparkle. LED pillar candles give the warm, festive effect of real candlelight – without needing to worry about disasters when reaching for the gravy. Trail a faux foliage garland down the middle of your table and dress with battery powered micro LED fairy lights for a little twinkle. Taper candles – again battery operated – bring a touch of grandeur to the scene: choose red candles in thrifted brass holders for a family-friendly, cosy atmosphere, or simple white for a chic and modern look.
Perfect place settings
Place settings are where a tablescape’s theme really come life, and provide the perfect opportunity to add some personalisation for each diner. For a traditional table, layer mismatched bowls and plates with napkins in stripes, checks or festive patterns, then add a handwritten nametag and a mini LED votive candle – or even a unique bauble chosen especially for each guest that they can take home as a keepsake. On a Scandi-style table, keep things simple: white plates, plain block-colour napkins, and a single sprig of fir or eucalyptus.
Finishing touches
A showstopping way to bring height and drama to your Christmas table is a DIY branch hanger suspended above the scene. Using a study foraged branch, wrap faux foliage or real fir sprigs around and secure with twine, then add battery powered micro lights and lightweight decorations. Hang your creation using ribbons from overhead beams or fittings. For a final touch of sparkle, attach boughs of foliage to chair backs using hessian or velvet ribbon, and finish with an illuminated star decoration.
With a little creativity and a few thoughtful details, any dining table can easily be transformed into something welcoming, photo-ready, and utterly unforgettable. Now all you need are a few sprouts. Happy Christmas!
