Ready for all of your holiday parties? Setting a table that is both beautiful and functional doesn’t have to be a stressful fete!
With the tree up and stockings hung, it’s time to turn to the centerpiece of that delicious holiday meal, the tablescape. While the food with be the main course, it’s okay to use decor and accessories to elevate the entire meal.
Set the Mood
It’s hard to get going with any kind of decor until you decide the mood for the evening. Will it be casual, elegant, laid back, simple, modern, formal? There are so many ways you could go and I think mixing elements from any that peak your interested is a great way to go! Like it formal but want to add a bit of modern and whimsy? Great!
Choose a Color Palette
Now that you’ve decided which way you want to go, it’s time to decide on the colors. It’s easy to continue the decor from your home, since it will tie in so easily. But it’s okay to opt for a bold pop or color or two as well. Go monochromatic or a classic red and green. Here, the colors should absolutely compliment the mood that you’ve chosen.
Gather the Goods
Now it’s time to build the table. Begin gathering items and before you spend money, find out what you already have on hand! When you plan your tablescape this way, you can carefully choose to invest in classic pieces that you love, and items you’ll be able to use time and again. For our holiday centerpiece, I started with a sheer curtain that I had on hand as a runner, and built up from there with ornaments from our tree.
Pull items from all throughout the house; mix glass and metallic containers of all shapes and sizes, candle sticks, bowls, trays, vases, cake stands and tiered displays. We even used our recently made Gingerbread House as part of the decor! Pull from your yard or your pantry for basic items like pinecones, candles, ribbon, lights, fresh evergreens, candies, nuts, berries and fresh fruit… they all can make for great decorative add-ons.
Once I rounded up what I had, we added in some great new pieces that I’ll use over and over, like place hard holders (which I just filled with names written on Anna Griffin’s Christmas tags!), and a buffet server to keep our main dish warm throughout dinner!
Layer It Up
Something I always advise when setting a table is to layer! Start from the base with a runner or tablecloth, add in greens and lights (whether in the form of string lights, candles, or both!), and then bring in height to create visual appeal. I layered our place settings with a natural placemat, and a couple of dishes before adding in the place card holders, with paired nicely with the Parisian accented flatware.
Use dishes, cake stands or other pieces to add in the layering elements as well.
I can’t wait to see what kind of tablescapes you put together! We’d love if you share on social and tag us @HSN and @TabithaBlue with your beautifully designed holiday tables!
And Happy Holidays and party-throwing season from my family to yours!