With the holiday season in full swing, it seemed only fitting to bring some ‘holly’ to Holland & Associates. Thank you to our guest contributor, Holly Hunka with the home decor and lifestyle blog Chandeliers and Champagne, for sharing five easy tips to create a swoon-worthy Christmas table setting.
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Can you believe it: only 20 days remain until Christmas! I’m in full-on festive mode over here, baking up a storm, blasting Wham!’s Last Christmas and enjoying the twinkling lights of our tree each night.
I love the ambience of our home over the holidays, making it my favourite time of year to entertain. While my husband is in charge of the turkey, I like to think I have an equally important job: preparing the cocktails and setting a table that looks as good as the food tastes.
If you want to host your family and friends in style this holiday season, here are five simple steps to design a Christmas tablescape that all your guests will fa-la-la-la-fall in love with:
1. Select a colour palette
A great place to start is selecting your colour palette. Once you choose your focal colours, it becomes easier to map out the rest of your table!
Without a doubt, traditional reds, greens, whites, golds and silvers are popular during the holidays – but you’re not limited to them. This year, I’ve been head-over-heels for eucalyptus and decided to make greenery the star of my table – complemented with a pretty pop of blush pink and white.
2. Incorporate fresh or natural elements
Natural elements, such as fresh flowers, greenery, fruits and vegetables, are key to making a tablescape memorable. They’re a great way to add volume, height, colour – and even a refreshing fragrance.
In this year’s tablescape, I chose to mix faux with fresh – opting for a faux eucalyptus garland paired with fresh cedar.
Last year, I used a Grinch Tree as my centerpiece and received so many compliments from guests on its fresh scent.
Other natural elements that are ideal at Christmas time include pomegranates, poinsettias, holly, pinecones, oranges, cranberries, tree branches, snowberries, and all the greenery!
3. Add texture and vary height
Create visual interest by layering textures and varying the heights of tabletop decor.
Though I had several fun tablecloths and runners on-hand, I decided to tie into the glistening details of my Christmas tree by creating a table runner made of tulle. I also added white linen napkins and neutral woven placemats.
If you’re looking to add layers but don’t have any table linens handy, don’t fret! Get creative and try using a fitted sheet, blanket, tulle, lace, brown craft paper or – best of all – Christmas wrapping paper!
For height, I balanced my large deer centerpiece with two smaller arrangements on either side. Just remember: when adding height, always keep your guests in mind. Avoid positioning anything at eye level that might obstruct their view of one another!
4. Up the ambience with mood lighting
Whether it’s candles, lanterns, twinkly lights, overhead lights, glass orbs or flameless candles, a little mood lighting can go a long way!
I chose to add ambience to our table with candles and also strung orb lights through my eucalyptus garland. As the evening progressed, they gave off the perfect glow.
5. Incorporate Christmas decor
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, incorporate some Christmas decor into your tablescape!
For years now, I’ve loved adorning each plate with a festive ornament – it looks pretty and is a charming gift for each guest to take home and remember the evening.
I hope you find these Christmas table setting tips helpful. Happy dining, everyone!
Xo Holly Hunka
Holly Hunka is the writer and photographer behind Chandeliers and Champagne, a lifestyle blog focused on home decor, parenthood and the pretty things in life. For more Christmas inspiration, you can follow Holly on Instagram at @chandeliers.and.champagne and read her blog at chandeliersandchampagne.com.
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