Tablescaping Ideas And Tips To Wow Your Guests This Christmas

Decorating our homes is one of the most important parts of getting ready for the festive period. Whether it's putting up your Christmas tree, hanging fairy lights and baubles, or going all out and making a wreath for your front door – setting up your winter wonderland is all part of the magic. The art of tablescaping has soared in popularity in recent years and can totally elevate all your festive foodie treats. The trend is based around making your dining table the focal point of your event. Some even set their table for the big day weeks and days in advance, transforming ordinary dining spaces into magical and memorable settings to entertain guests.

Coming up with tablescaping ideas is the perfect opportunity to dazzle dinner guests with your creativity and express your personal style. It involves selecting cutlery, dinner plates and accessories around your chosen theme. From garlands and runners, to table ornaments and lighting, A Modern Kitchen has got all the ideas and inspiration to set you on your way.

Best Christmas Tablescaping Ideas At A Glance

• Best Christmas table garland: Long Pinecones And Stars LED Light Garland – View on Etsy
• Best Christmas table runner: Extra Long 220cm Cotton Christmas Table Runner – View on Etsy
• Best Christmas table centrepiece: Pinecone Candle Holder Centrepiece – View on Not On The High Street

Even if you don't fancy setting up your table for weeks before (we all lead busy lives right now) or would prefer to opt for small touches instead of grand displays, we've still got some great ideas to get into the tablescape trend. Candles, gold cutlery, and fabric napkins are budget friendly ways to add some theatre to your dining table. John Lewis advises: "Mixing and matching tableware is fun for place settings – just keep to a common theme to create a rhythm in the mix up of plates and glasses."

In this guide we have curated a collection of dinnerware and tableware that's goes for a refreshingly authentic take on modern entertaining, inspired by Wabi-Sabi Welcome: Learning to Embrace the Imperfect and Entertain with Thoughtfulness and Ease by Julie Adams. Make this Christmas a pleasure for yourself and a warm and welcoming occasion for your guests. For more festive tablescaping ideas and know-how, scroll to the FAQs below.

Best Christmas Tablescaping Ideas

FAQs: Tablescaping Ideas

What is tablescaping?

Tablescaping is an activity involving the setting of themed dining tables in artful, decorative ways for social events, and in a variety of categories for competitions. The art of tablescaping is normally seen at weddings, birthdays, professional events, and of course, Christmas, but it is also becoming a more regular occurrence in homes.

Helpful tips for christmas tablescaping

A Modern Kitchen gives top styling tips on decorating the table using a welcoming and eco-friendly theme to add that unique and special touch that will make guests feel cosy and relaxed this Christmas.

Make a personalised table setting to add an extra special touch

Having winter-themed, personalised place settings for each guest really does add that extra something to the table.

When Christmas comes around, it's the perfect opportunity to get creative and make a truly personalised, DIY table setting. Consider using fabric napkins with hand-painted pinecones for each family member or friend joining the table. This will not only add a personal touch to the table but also bring everyone together as they sit down to enjoy the occasion.

Add multiple layers to the table

Laying the table for dinner or a festive brunch can be a truly creative experience and adding layers of colour, pattern and texture gives the table a truly unique and memorable vibe. Consider the tableware and ensure that all the pieces work perfectly together and when used alone.

Decorate with seasonal flowers

The perfect way to bring the feeling of Christmas to your table is by adding a beautiful festive flower oasis to your table. Whether you have a large dining table or a small accent table, adding flowers can create height while also bringing natural elements into the theme. Whether it’s a traditional red, green and gold arrangement of holly and painted pinecones, or a winter wonderland of mistletoe, ivy and white roses, it’s bound to enchant guests.

Use special fabric as a tablecloth

Create an epic backdrop for your Christmas table with an opulent tablecloth. Don’t spend a fortune on a fully finished tablecloth, instead just buy lengths of fabric to use instead as it is just as good and often half the price. You could opt for rich damask prints, geometric shapes, or even abstract art to surround your meals for added visual appeal. Everyone will want to upload a snap of their dinner to Insta.

Be creative with your tableware

If you're looking for an easy, yet special way to present your desserts, why not swap out your bowls for a pretty wine glass instead? A classic combination of fresh raspberries, meringue and cream can make a pretty spectacular dessert when presented in a wine glass. The best part is that there's no baking necessary! All you do is layer raspberry and crushed meringue with a creamy topping until the glass is full, top with some flaked chocolate and voila – a fancy yet fun dessert is served. It's a great way to add an unexpected twist on an Eton Mess.

Here's what you need to think about when it comes to perfecting your tablescape.

Best Tablescaping Ideas

Colour scheme

Traditionally a festive colour scheme is rich green and red. However, there's a colour scheme to suit all décor and tastes. Have fun with rainbow colours or exude sophistication with black and gold tableware. This year, Marks & Spencer's Christmas table ideas range from Rustic Luxe in natural tones, to Family Fun with colourful nutcracker soldiers.

Lighting

Lighting candles is a lovely way to set the festive ambience and you may not even want to light them as they just look too pretty. Battery-powered candles and lights are also popular, as are candle holders.

Garlands and runners

Table garlands typically run through the middle of your table and are usually artificial. That's not to say you can't use real plants and flowers, but it may be a fire hazard, if you're also having real candles do take care. Having a beautiful garland centrepiece is sometimes all you need to create a festive tablescape and you can 'theme' the rest of your table around it, including cutlery, glasses, crackers and napkins.

Ornaments

Ornaments can help make your festive tablescape personal to your family or theme. Quirky items are a must for Christmas, with many choosing special ornaments, handmade crafts and even family heirlooms to help bring a sense of originality (and fun).

Personalised napkins and cutlery

Personalisation is sometimes all you need to make Christmas special. And creating personalised napkins and name tags will go down a treat with your guests. Simple changes such as adapting the colour of the napkins or using gold cutlery will also transform your dining space and make it seem more of an event.

Dinnerware

As Christmas dinner is made up of several courses, Matalan suggest: "Stack soup bowls on top of matching dinner plates for a fabulous feel and use different textures and finishes to create interest". In terms of glassware, have tumblers for water alongside Champagne flutes or wine glasses. Arrange flatware from outside to nearest the placemat, starting with small forks and spoons for the starter. Next, it's the main course fork and knife. You could have the dessert fork and spoon placed horizontally above the placement if there's plenty room.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen appliances. When she's not testing coffee machines, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.