How to Set the Table for Christmas
'Tis the season for festive tablescapes.
There's nothing better than celebrating the holidays surrounded by family, friends, and delicious food. A Christmas table should check all the boxes for festiveness while remaining functional and easy to replicate. Whether you're hosting a Christmas dinner, brunch, or luncheon, we've got you covered. In this guide, we've outlined how to set the table for Christmas to take away the guesswork and make hosting a breeze!
1. Establish a Theme
2. Roll Out the Tablecloths & Runners
3. Add Placemats & Napkins
4. Introduce Festive Dinnerware Sets
5. Don’t Forget the Flatware
6. Bring Out Festive Drinkware
7. Center the Festivities
8. Lighten the Mood
9. Remember the Small Details
1. Establish a Theme
Before you learn how to set the table for Christmas, you need to determine your theme. Establishing a theme before you get started will make your Christmas dining table look cohesive and aesthetically-pleasing (no matter your decorating expertise!). Center your tablescape around red plaid, poinsettia emblems, glam snowflakes, Christmas trees, Santa Clauses and reindeers, or any Christmas themes or colors that speak to you. Establishing a theme first helps you stay on track and ensures you choose the right tableware and linens for a festive result.
Tip!
Still trying to come up with a theme? Gather inspiration from The Best Christmas Table Setting Ideas for the Season and Christmas Tablescaping Ideas: Festive Table Settings You'll Love.
2. Roll Out the Tablecloths & Runners
Decorating a table for Christmas wouldn't be the same without a tablecloth, table runner, or both, because they are versatile additions to any Christmas tablescape – adding color and interest while also protecting the tabletop (win-win!). Cover the entire table with a fun tablecloth in a Christmas red or green shade (great for covering up scratches or water marks), or roll out a table runner down the center of the table to set the tone for a centerpiece or buffet display. You can also combine the two for a cool layered look on your dining table.
If you plan to incorporate both a tablecloth and a table runner, make sure they have a different color/pattern from one another to make the display pop. For example, pair a crisp white tablecloth with a vibrant red snowflake-patterned table runner, or add a sense of calm to vibrant Christmas plaid with a solid-colored table runner in a shade of white or gold.
But wait, there's more! In addition to table linens like tablecloths and runners, placemats and cloth napkins are also worthy additions to your Christmas tablescape. Placemats visually define each dining spot for your guests and make dinnerware sets look all the more elegant. Cloth napkins also help elevate the display (stash away the paper napkins this time!) and make Christmas dinner parties feel special and celebration-worthy.
Tip!
You can use placemats by themselves, paired with tablecloths or runners, or both. If you plan to incorporate all three of these table linens in one display, we recommend matching the placemat colors/patterns to those of the table runner. This creates a cohesive look that pops against the tablecloth.
Holiday dinnerware sets are a must when learning how to set the table for Christmas. They instantly add Christmas cheer to your table and set the tone for the meal. Not to mention, they come equipped with matching dinner plates, salad plates, dessert bowls, or chargers so you can achieve a designer look without trying. Christmas dinnerware sets also come in a variety of designs and colors that you can adapt to your theme.
Your Christmas table setting wouldn't be complete without the proper flatware. You can't go wrong with gold or silver flatware sets to add a bit of glam to your Christmas dining table. When positioning flatware, always put knives and spoons on the right side of the plate and forks on the left side of the plate. Having multiple courses that require more than one fork, knife, and spoon per person? Line them up in the manner described above (forks to the left; knives and spoons to the right) with the first course utensils on the outside, main course utensils in the middle, and dessert utensils to the innermost sides (directly beside the plate). The idea is to work your way inwards with each course.
Take a look at our guide on Dining Table Etiquette Training: Proper Place & Table Setting Diagram to set the table like a pro.
Tip!
When determining how to set a Christmas table, always have extra flatware on-the-ready! You never know when you might have last minute guests or if someone will need a replacement fork or spoon. Not to mention the importance of having the right amount of flatware for each course.
6. Bring Out Festive Drinkware
Complement your festive dinnerware and flatware with Christmas-themed drinkware. Provide each guest with a drinking glass affixed with a snowflake emblem. Or opt for gold-rimmed wine goblets to set the tone for holiday-themed dinner drinks. Hosting a Christmas brunch? Grab a set of Christmas mugs with festive patterns, colors, or shapes to instantly add a bit of Christmas cheer to your morning coffee.
It wouldn't be Christmas without a beautiful centerpiece to get you in the Christmas spirit. There are so many ways to create a Christmas centerpiece for your table. You can't go wrong with a pre-made Christmas centerpiece affixed with faux holly berries, poinsettia flowers, and small glass candle holders. However, you can always craft your own for a truly unique display.
Frame a Christmas floral arrangement with sprigs of evergreen and battery-operated Christmas string lights strewn about. Get the chandelier involved by weaving Christmas greenery through the framework. If you have a long rectangular dining table, we recommend having three identical or similar centerpieces spread out down the center of the table so everyone can enjoy the festive display. Want something quick and easy? Grab a decorative Christmas garland affixed with colorful ornaments or faux berries/pinecones and lay it down the center of the table.
Tip!
Want more ideas for how to decorate a Christmas table using a centerpiece? Check out these 9 Christmas Centerpiece Ideas for all the inspiration.
8. Lighten the Mood
No Christmas dinner setting would be complete without the ambient glow of candles (real or flameless). We recommend incorporating small groupings of tealight, votive, or pillar candles in small glass hurricanes for Christmas dinner by candlelight. These candles are also small enough that they don't obstruct the view to the other side of the table, making them the perfect complement to dinner conversations. Have extra Christmas tree lights hanging around? You can also incorporate these for added festiveness.
When setting the table for Christmas, you can't forget the small details that pull the whole display together. Level-up cloth napkins with holiday-themed napkin rings. Make placeholders for each of your dinner guests for a personalized Christmas dinner. Place a small present or ornament on each of the dinnerware sets to give your guests a bit of Christmas cheer before you start the meal. Or place a mini Christmas faux flower/evergreen stem on each place setting to connect to the colors/themes of the table's centerpiece. These little details will show how much time and care you put into celebrating with those you hold dear.
Now that you know how to decorate a table for Christmas, you can start planning!
