How to decorate the Christmas table

The Christmas table is decorated in layers: first the tablecloth and runner, then the centrepiece, the candles, the tableware and, finally, the small ornaments and the lighting in the room. Below you will find the steps in order, three easy-to-recreate styles and pieces you can use. If you are also preparing gifts for those around the table, see our Christmas gift guide.

1. The tablecloth and the runner

Start with a white or cream tablecloth and add a table runner in the theme colour down the middle, or a pine garland stretched along the full length of the table. A neutral tablecloth leaves room for the decor, while the runner or garland marks the line along which you will place the centrepiece and candles. An artificial garland with long needles looks like a real pine and does not shed needles on the table; one with leaves and red berries points to the classic style, while a silver pearl garland can be wound between the candle holders.

−38% Tasi Home StudioFull 3D garland with long natural wire250 cm €40,95€66,95 −39% GoodwillMahonia leaf and berry garlandGreen/red, 180 cm €42,95€70,95 −40% Tasi Home StudioDecorative garland with pearls and accentsSilver, 2.5m €5,95€9,95

2. The centrepiece

There should be just one centrepiece, low enough for guests to see over it. A long arrangement laid along the runner suits rectangular tables; on a round table, a bowl filled with pine cones and baubles is enough. Tall, slender pieces, such as small decorative trees, go at the ends of the table or on the sideboard. You will find ready-made arrangements in the Christmas decorative arrangements collection.

−40% Fiori di LenaDecorative Christmas arrangement with reindeer and ribbonsRed/green/brown, 85cm €165,95€276,95 −30% EichholtzSantiago decorative bowlVintage brass finish €176,95€252,95 −37% GoodwillConical Christmas tree with sequins and beadsGold, 43 cm €17,95€28,95

3. Candles and candle holders

Candles create much of the atmosphere at the Christmas table, so it is worth placing them first, after the centrepiece. A few simple rules:

• group them in threes or fives, at different heights;
• place the tall candle holders along the centre line of the table, and the votives and small candles next to the plates;
• next to branches, garlands and arrangements, use LED candles, not a flame;
• light the candles a few minutes before the guests sit down.

For lasting pieces, see the lanterns and candle holders collection.

−39% Fiori di LenaTall candle holder with 4 arms and Christmas decorationsRed/gold/green, 50cm €160,95€267,95 −39% Fiori di LenaDecorative goblet with candle holderGold/red/green, 30cm €27,95€45,95 −40% GoodwillBaroque style glass candlestick 21.5cm €20,95€34,95 −41% ShishiSet of 10 LED candles with remote control10 cm high €22,95€38,95

4. Tableware and serving accessories

Your Christmas tableware can be your everyday set, ideally white, because the decor and napkins bring the colour. Lay the dinner plate, with the starter plate and napkin on top, the cutlery on either side and the glasses at the top right. A tray with a metallic finish gathers bottles and glasses on the sideboard, and a wine cooler keeps the sparkling wine within reach without cluttering the table. See also the table serving accessories.

−30% EichholtzLarge rectangular Sirenuse trayAntiqued brass finish €140,95€201,95 −30% EichholtzCrinkle Basket WeaveNickel finish €212,95€304,95

5. Small ornaments on the plates

A small ornament on each plate links the place settings to the central decor and doubles as a place card. It can be a glass pine cone, a bauble from a set, a sprig tucked into the napkin or a twig with red berries. Choose the same piece for every place so the table looks cohesive.

−33% GoodwillGlass fir cone with beadsWhite, 11 cm €3,95€5,95 −39% GoodwillSet of 4 Glossy Gold Glass Globes 10cm €13,95€22,95 −38% GoodwillBranch with leaves and berries 78.5cm red/green €12,95€20,95

6. The lighting in the room

The light above the table should be warm and dimmer than usual, so the candles stand out. If the chandelier has a dimmer, turn it down to half; if not, switch on the lamps on the sideboard and console tables and leave it off. Warm white bulbs (around 2,700 K) go well with gold and wood, and a light garland on the sideboard adds to the lighting without dazzling.

7. Decor according to the size of the table

The fewer places at the table, the more concentrated the decor should be: for a table of four, a small centrepiece and two candles are enough, while on a long table you repeat the same decor group every 80–100 cm. On a narrow table, skip the runner and lay the garland straight down the middle, so there is room left for platters. If you are serving buffet-style, move the large arrangement and the tall candle holders to the sideboard and leave only small candles and the plate ornaments on the table. Always keep the space in front of each guest clear, roughly the size of a plate and a glass.

Three styles for the Christmas table

A simple way to achieve a cohesive table is to choose one style and keep to two or three colours. The table below shows each layer in the three styles.

For the white and silver style, start with a white candle holder, white candles of different heights and branches in shades of champagne and silver:

−40% Fiori di LenaTall 3-Arm Candle Holder with Christmas DecorationsWhite/gold/green, 50 cm €147,95€246,95 −30% EichholtzArtificial candle ø 10 x H. 18 cmWhite, set of 2 €104,95€149,95 −38% GoodwillSparkling leaf branchChampagne/silver, 66 cm €12,95€20,95

The order of the steps, in brief

Christmas table decor is done in this order: tablecloth and runner, centrepiece, candles, tableware, ornaments on the plates and, finally, the lighting in the room. Set the table the day before and check that guests can see each other over the centrepiece. For the rest of the house and the tree, read our Christmas home decorating ideas, and if you are invited to a festive meal in a new home, see which housewarming gift suits. The rest of the seasonal decorations are in the Christmas decorations collection, and you will find ideas for those around the table in the Christmas gift guide. If you would like to see the materials and finishes before choosing, you can visit the Tasi showroom in Satu Mare, at Strada Aurel Vlaicu nr. 88/A, Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00.

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