Festive tablescapes: how to set the dining table for Christmas

8 tips to bring your Christmas dinner table to life

The holiday season is all about spending quality time with your loved ones, and the Christmas table is the place where you all come together. Make your memorable moments even more special by taking the time to create the perfect setting for your festive feasts. Here are our top Christmas table decoration ideas to help you create the right look for you.

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1. It starts with the table
2. Create a captivating centrepiece
3. Choose the perfect dinner set
4. Light it up with illuminating decorations
5. Include some festive foliage
6. Add detail with runners and placemats
7. Hang decorations from the ceiling
8. Create personalised decorations

How to create a stunning Christmas dining table

1. It starts with the table

Having guests over for a meal during the festive period is a great excuse to refresh the basics - so start by making sure your table is looking its best. If you have a wooden table that needs a bit of TLC, we have a range of products that will help you give it a new lease of life. Whether it needs a bit of a clean, or to be sanded down and repainted, stained or oiled, we have something for you.

Don’t have that much time to give to your table? Disguise any marks with our self-adhesive film to cover the worktop. With several wood-effect options, you can find one that matches your table for a quick and easy way to spruce up your surface.

2. Create a captivating centrepiece

Create your own centrepiece by putting an assortment of baubles, battery-operated wire Christmas lights along with twigs or fir cones into a clear decorative jar or vase. You could add miniature baubles for a burst of colour - this will make a beautiful and individual decorative piece for your dining table over the festive period.

Create a stunning centrepiece by laying a Christmas garland in the centre of your table. Light up garlands are perfect for adding a warm glow in the evening. Opt for warm white lights paired with scattered red and green baubles for a cosy, traditional look, or ice white or multi-coloured lights for a vivid and playful look that goes with brighter, modern colours. 

3. Choose the perfect dinner set

From plates and bowls to wine glasses and tumblers, having the right dinnerware will make all the difference to your tablescape setting. For a truly impressive look, layer your side plates on top of your dinner plates and top them with folded napkins and sprigs of holly and eucalyptus. 

Make sure you've considered cutlery and drinkware, too. Your stunning tablescape won't be complete until you've set out your wine or champagne glasses, alongside tumblers for water. Take your table styling to the next level by incorporating different coloured tumblers and flutes.

4. Light it up with illuminating decorations

Make a real statement by opting for gorgeous illuminating decorations on your table such as candle arches and festive tealight holders. Candle arches feature flameless LED candles for a completely safe alternative to candles that still give you the same glowing effect - perfect for busy Christmas tables with kids.

Alternatively, our stunning Christmas tealight holders add depth to your dining space sas they feature a range of foliage, including natural pinecones, wooden stars, baubles and woodland decorations. Shop the full range of candle holders for a fully festive look.

5. Include some festive foliage

An eye-catching way to decorate a table is to add some seasonal foliage – either real or artificial. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree, so why not add one to your table? Our table top trees are the ideal size and come in a variety of forms, including gold or silver-effect tinsel trees and pre-decorated traditional style trees.

Remember, you're not limited to a tree - we have a variety of real plants that will make your table stand out. We recommend adding a couple of classic poinsettias to your luscious tablescape, available in our stores. Read our article on how to take care of it to ensure that it looks great throughout the holiday season.

6. Add detail with runners and placemats

The little details are what make for the perfect festive tablescape. Layering different sized and coloured table runners on top of each other will create a textured look on your table - perfect for an Instagram post! Recreate the image below by layering a glittering silver runner on top of a larger black table runner.

Don't forget your placemats! Not only will placemats stop any damage from occurring to your table, but they'll add a touch of style and class to your setting. Create the ultimate co-ordinated look by opting for matching runners and placemats.

7. Hang decorations from the ceiling

For a striking display, hang baubles over your table, on the wall or on the back of dining chairs. Try combining standard spherical baubles with other interesting individual ones like stags, snowflakes and pine cones. Check out the video below on how to create a stunning hanging Christmas centrepiece!

Alternatively, put your decorations in bowls or vases and place in the centre or in various places around the table. Individual decorations can also work well as napkin rings or as decorative place settings.

8. Create personalised decorations

If you want to create something that can be personalised for each guest, paint some old placemats or charger plates with our chalkboard paint. It can be used on wood, metal, plastic and ceramic surfaces – you can even use it on paper or card. Or use our chalkboard effect self-adhesive film – it’s a dark green colour so would go well with classic Christmas colours, and it can be removed once the holidays are over. Then, you can write an individual message or personalised note to your guests.

Another fun chalkboard option is chalkboard baubles. Put your guests’ names on them and use as place settings or note down Christmas messages on them and scatter or hang around the table.