“No one should be alone at Christmas” intones the adorable Cindy Lou, beloved character of Dr. Seuss, wanting to save the Grinch from loneliness. Because, once the presents are wrapped, the turkey and chestnuts put in the oven, the Christmas table becomes the place for family reunions, friendly and loving. Loved ones then meet up (sometimes for hours) to catch up on lost time and share food and anecdotes, both on New Year’s Eve on the 24th and during the meal on the 25th. To experience an even more pleasant, and *magical, moment * the decoration of the Christmas table plays a real role. Red and gold for tradition, green and copper for modernity, there is something for everyone as long as you find your inspiration in time. We have prepared a slideshow of our 34 favorite Christmas tables to reproduce and we give you our tips and advice to make it your own without incurring too many costs.
How to prepare a beautiful Christmas table?
First essential step before launching into decoration: count your guests. Tradition (or superstition) recommends avoiding 13 people at a table, so you may need to divide your guests into 2 separate tables. Once the count is finished, try to distribute the people around the table, then set up a plate to see how much space each person has and how much space will remain free for your decoration. If you want to have a centerpiece but you are short on space, serve directly on the plate or place the dishes (or drinks) on a server.
A traditional red, green and gold table: the most traditional
Who says Christmas says red and green! It goes without saying that Santa Claus is dressed in red, the trees are green and the snow is white. It’s therefore difficult to escape this top three when it comes to imagining the decoration for your Christmas table. To go all out with the Christmas theme, opt for a red or tartan patterned tablecloth, which you can then set with white or patterned plates. For table decoration, sprinkle holly (watch out for children!), pine cones, and place a Christmas wreath made from fir in the center. The Christmas spirit will definitely be present!
And if you want to keep your table in plain wood, simply place a red or green table runner in the center, then decorate on it.
Gold for a chic Christmas table
It’s a must-have for New Year’s Eve (but also for the New Year’s table): gold! It captures the light, softens the green and brightens the red, so it’s all good. Often, we find it delicately affixed as a border to the edge of porcelain plates or crystal glasses. But it can also find a place of choice within the decoration, becoming the centerpiece of a table center or glittery sets. Imagine a centerpiece made entirely of golden, glittery or metallic Christmas balls, intertwined with fir or eucalyptus branches in a more modern variation. Any other proposal: use golden candlesticks (or to which you give a little brushstroke) found for the occasion to place in the center of the table and topped with colored candles (midnight blue or duck blue or coral and even pine green) , to create a heterogeneous ensemble but worthy of a baroque feast.
How to decorate an inexpensive natural Christmas table with recycled objects?
In the same vein as the antique candlesticks discussed just before, it is possible to create a very beautiful Christmas decoration with objects recovered from here and there. For a return to childhood, use figurines, notably reindeer, polar bear, squirrel, fir tree, to create a magical atmosphere derived from fairy tales. If you don’t plan to return these characters to your children later, unify them by spraying them with white, glitter or metallic copper. If you are a fan of DIYpaint the inside of your glass balls your theme color for a shiny effect, and glue them together with a glue gun to create a unique centerpiece.
Another easy and inexpensive solution to decorate a Christmas table, collect plants such as holly, pine cones, fir branches or ivy from your garden or forest (if you are allowed to do so). Use these finds as is for a natural, very raw look, or transform them with gold paint for example. Enchanted forest atmosphere guaranteed!
Blue or black for an original table
What if you tried to go out of your way for this 2023 edition? More original than red and green, other colors are appearing on our holiday tables. Blue, navy, night or duck, goes perfectly with gold, and even with the wood of an old table. It will then be easy to match it, even with white plates, by focusing on a starry vault-style decoration, equipped with stars and moons, gold in small touches and plays of shine (with a fine garland in the light a slightly browned) positioned in the center of the table.
Another bias: black! Very little associated with Christmas, it can nevertheless be very chic! Play the trend game to the fullest and combine it with fruits, dried or fresh, arranged on the table in a still life style, such as pomegranate, slices of dried orange, which you can combine with a bouquet of dark flowers, burgundy or purple. Finally, bring light with touches of gold, large chandeliers with dark candles or garlands hidden between the fruits.
Also very trendy in 2023: velvet. On green or red fabric to preserve Christmas markers, we also find it highlighted on gold, plum or even black tablecloths. Chic and shocking for a modernized Christmas.
How to decorate Christmas table? Installation
What are the steps in creating and composing a Christmas table? Start by installing the tablecloth, if you choose to put one, then the table runner. On this centerpiece, then place the largest decorative element(s), in order to set the mood.
Then arrange the plates taking into account the decor already positioned, in order to allow the guests to communicate with each other. Plates, cutlery, glasses, napkins, put everything down for each guest. Then finish with the smallest decorative elements, namely fresh elements (cut flowers, plants), candle holders or tealight holders, Christmas baubles and other accessories. All you have to do is light the candles when your guests arrive.
Read also :
⋙ All our decoration ideas for Christmas
⋙ Chic and plant-based Christmas table: our quick and easy ideas
⋙ Christmas decoration: our selection of baubles and pendants for less than €7 to decorate the tree