I love Christmas, and so does Lennon. But mostly I live for a holiday table display!
With holiday parties quickly approaching, let’s go over some tips and display options that will help you set your table to holiday imperfect perfection. By adding hits of sparkle and personal touches, your dinner parties will never look so festive!
This year is especially exciting to welcome guests from near and far, as the world is getting bak to “normal” we can host our little hearts out and enjoy the company of loved ones around the table.
Holiday Table Set Up
Not sure where to start? Let me help you with that! Though this is the greatest time of year, the holidays can be stressful, there is SO much to do. You want to give your guests the best experience, make sure you thought of everything, make sure your decorations are perfect et etc etc.. Well, the first tip I’ll give you is let’s remove the PERFECT. Being perfectly Imperfect is the way to go. This tip comes in handy with so much in life but especially when doing a gorgeous table display.
First: You will want to clear your table off. Having an empty, squeaky clean surface is the best place to start when doing any display.
Second: You’ll want to gather anything you will want to incorporate. Such as greenery, candles, dinnerware, napkins down to the bulbs and glittery pinecones you might want to use. Grouping these things by item together on the table makes it easier to place and allows you to see how each item will work together. It sort of gives you the overall vision before you set it.
Third: If you know what your centrepiece will consist of, such as garland, candles etc, place that FIRST. If you aren’t sure what your centrepiece will be just yet, start with each place setting. If you start with your centrepiece which is what I did for this display - Heres how to do it!
Place the centrepiece of your choice, (garland for me) fluff the leaves, add ornaments, glittery pinecones, candle sticks and candles, as well as any other items you may want to incorporate. Placing items where the garland has a natural bend looks the most natural. I try to space each item out so one style of candlestick aren’t all on one end of the table, but I don’t put too much thought into where each item land. When things are too thought out, it takes away the inviting feeling. I don’t want my guests to be scared to even look at the table display let alone enjoy a meal by it!
If you’re starting with place settings, I like to choose a variety of plates, sizes, shapes, patterns etc to mix and match, it makes each guest feel like it was done just for them. Layering dishes really adds to the overall look and feel of the display.
Whats next you ask? Keep reading to find out!
Adding Details And Personal Touches!
Okay so we have the place settings and centrepiece completed. Now its step four! Adding the little details that add so much to the overall presentation of your table. As you can see in the photos below, adding things like candy canes as a little welcome treat for your guests is festive and an added touch they’ll appreciate.
Here are a few more personal touches can you do to make your holiday table special for your guests:
Giving your loved ones cards is something I love doing. I took it a step further this year, and made my own cards to put at each place setting for my guests. So they not only have a candy cane to enjoy, but they can ready what I love about them too. I used my Cricut Joy to create these unique holiday cards!
Notice the wooden menu boards? I decided to make my own menu and print it for the table! You could also do a menu board for each guest, or pass one around the table. It’s a simple thing to do but adds just one more layer to your dinner. These ones are from the home and restaurant supply store Big Erics.
Holiday Menu!
Candy Cane Welcome!
Shopping Your Home!
The holidays are full of giving. Don’t let the thought of spending too much on a table display like this steer you away. You can make a beautiful table display without breaking the bank! Heres how:
Shop your home!
What do you have around your house that you can pull to make your display beautiful? I took candles from my bedroom that have already been burned! You don’t need to go out to the store and buy brand new candles, pop some in you love using!
Christmas tree or table display?
If your Christmas tree is up, you’ve got yourself some decorations for that garland on your table. I grabbed a handful of ornaments that were maybe one too many from my tree and scattered them on the garland. It added a hit of Christmas cheer and elegance without having to make a trip to the store, and when I’m done with them, they’ll go right back on the tree!
Go outside and shop your yard, neighbourhood or a local park!
There are so many things to be gathered like sticks, branches, pinecones, you name it, to help with your table display. I gathered a handful of pinecones and love the element of texture they bring to the table. (Pun intended!)
Time to use grammas china!
Have any dinnerware that have been passed down over generations, or were given to you as gifts over the years? Time to dig them out and let them be appreciated for their meaning! Adding something that has a story behind it is a conversation piece and brings all your guests closer.
Remember, using items from around your home makes any display not only more meaningful but cost effective as well. Mixing items that might be new or passed down for generations adds topics for conversation. Placing items without trying to be “perfect” will allow you and your guests to really take in the beautiful table display in front of them without being too worried to ruin it! Tis’ the season for being around loved ones, not worrying about the fray in your napkin or the stain on your table.
Enjoy this special time around the table with those that are the most special to you this holiday season!
Love DIY MOM xox
