Tablescaping can be a challenge during the holidays. Christmas decor especially tends to lean kitschy, which I’m all for in small doses. However, for a formal dinner table, I try to stay holiday without leaning so far that it reads tacky. With that in mind, I came up with this holiday design for my Christmas table. It’s not super original, but beautiful and rustic.
Embrace Faux Greenery
I think the easiest and best way to dress your house for the holidays is with greenery. It also can be super inexpensive depending on what materials you use; you can buy a simple garland at the Home Depot for about $5 per garland, but when you start thinking magnolia or more ornate stuff, it can get expensive. I like to use real greenery for some applications (e.g., my mantel), but for a dinner table, I prefer the fake stuff. Why? Because, while beautiful, real greenery can be messy, which can get really annoying on a dinner table. If you have to move your greenery around to place food on the table, needles will go everywhere. Magnolia is an exception to that rule, but if you want to you a more traditional needle-leaf garland, stick with the fake stuff. Here, I’m using two pretty cedar garland with pinecones that I purchased at TJMaxx for $35 each. Even in this close picture, I don’t think it’s obvious that it’s a faux garland.
Whatever you choose, you’re going to start this table by placing the garland on the table. There’s no science to this. You just weave it around and eyeball where you like it. You might remember from my Thanksgiving table post that I suggested that you place the chargers or plates (if not using chargers) on the table before dressing it. The same logic applies here, as it helps you visualize where people will be sitting, but garland is pliable so if you forget or just want to wait, it’s fine here. If you’re using candles on the table, this is the time to add them so you can weave the garland around them. I wanted to keep the table rustic, so I used these Crate & Barrel wood taper holders, still available in store, and simple white tapers. I like keeping the tapers on either side of the centerpiece, but if you’re using short pillar candles, votives, or tealights, it would be really pretty to place them along the entire garland.
Think of a Centerpiece Idea
You don’t necessary need a centerpiece for this particular table, but I like to have one to anchor the look. This year, I decided to use these really cool Madagascar vetiver nest baskets that I found at Homegoods, but you can find a similar ones here. While I’m not religious, some of my guests are, and I thought the nest was a bit symbolic of the birth of Jesus and his time in a straw-lined manger. But mostly, it looked pretty so I went with it. I placed some pomegranates in the large of the two baskets and some berries in the smaller, all purchased in the Whole Foods produce and flower sections.
If you don’t want to think about it and have money to spend, just go to a florist and have them make an arrangement for the centerpiece. Some great flowers, greens, and berries to ask for are magnolia branches, dianthus, amaryllis, protea, anemones, mums, tulips, ilex berries, holly, and eucalyptus. I prefer a low centerpiece on a holiday table because you won’t have to remove it; large ones are gorgeous and dramatic but tend to be conversation killers and need to go as soon as everyone sits down.
This seems self-explanatory, but you’re going to place the centerpiece in the center of the table. You’re probably going to have to play around with the placement of the garland around it, but it should be a pretty easy step.
Dressing Up Your Table
So, you’ve placed your garland, candles and centerpiece. Now what? If you don’t have the time or want to make the effort, you’re done! If you’re enjoying this process and want to make it a little more festive, let’s continue. As I mentioned above, I went to Whole Foods and once again raided their flower and produce section for sea holly, some random greenery bunches, and those berries and pomegranates that I also used in the centerpiece. I also picked up some dried protea at my local nursery, but there are so many places online that sell them. Then I just went up and down the garland and placed the pomegranates around the garland and tucked the rest into the garland.
Finishing Up
The rest of the table is easy peasy. If you haven’t already, place those plates and charger, then add flatware or silverware, glassware, and napkins. For this table, I simply placed a linen napkin with poinsettia embroidery on the plate.
We’re done! I think this is a great little table that was easy to pull together and set.
