How to Dress a Table
To dine for
Turn the tables on so-so settings this Christmas with a display that’s ‘to dine for’. After all, when you consider the time and effort you spend on preparing the food, it makes sense to put a little extra thought into the appearance of the table.
Follow these stylish serving suggestions…
Decide on a theme
Themed tables always look stylish and are easy to put together. The theme can be based on a simple colour scheme – red and gold or white and silver - or a particular decorative style – Victorian opulence or minimalist chic. Whatever look you choose make sure it’s versatile enough to last for several meals over the holiday period. This way the table decorations will earn their keep and you can prolong a sense of festivity.
Get out your best china
Christmas mealtimes are a special occasion so all good tables deserve to be set with the best china and cutlery. If you don’t have a special dinner service don’t worry, choose a set that is plain and simple and preferably white, as this will look good with any decorative scheme.
Create a pretty centrepiece.
When it comes to creating a centrepiece think beyond the usual wreath of holly surrounding a cluster of candles, and consider something more relaxed. Snowberries, hydrangeas and roses look fresh and festive displayed in a low vase. Or for something more alternative, why not fill a goldfish bowl-style vase with coloured baubles or arrange silver twigs in metal trough in damp floral foam, then conceal the foam with strips of feathers from a feather boa.
Set the mood with lighting
Candles are great mood enhancers and are perfect for creating the right atmosphere at your Christmas table. Arranging candles on mass always provides more impact, so consider grouping together tea-lights in pretty holders on a tray in the middle of the table or a row of chunky church candles, or float some candles and flower heads in a bowl. If you’re not keen on candles, fairy lights can also be used to decorate your table and set the tone, either wrap them around your centrepiece or run along the centre of the table from one end to the other.
Dare to be different
To avoid your table from looking like it came straight of the shelf, give it a more personal, individual feel with some creative decorating, DIY style. This can be a simple as tying a coloured ribbon or some foliage around folded napkins at place settings or decorating the table with some tree baubles (randomly strewn). If you’re anyway arty, you could make pretty scented cardamon pears for the table. Just buy some floral foam, carve into a pear shape, stick a twig in the top and stud with cardamon pods. You could also wrap oranges in ribbon and stud with cloves. Your table will not only look good, it will smell good too.
Don’t forget place cards
Place cards will really make you guests feel special at your Christmas table, and they’re very easy to make and very effective. They can be simple, folded pieces of card with names written in fancy handwriting. Or you could use luggage labels and thread ribbon through the hole at the top and tie to the back of each chair. You could even write your guests names on pebbles and place on a plate at each setting or paint their name onto tree decorations.