Tablescaping is an excellent way to do this. Not only will a dreamy-looking table fill your guests with anticipation from the moment they step into the room but a nice set of napkins and ornaments will go a long way to cover up the fact that you burned the turkey.
Click through to find some super simple ideas to get your table looking especially Christmassy ahead of the big day.
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Scandi
We might be moving on from general Swedish interiors in favour of bold colours, clutter and maximalism but when it comes to Christmas, Scandi is an aesthetic you just can’t beat.
Layered Lounge Large White Paper Star, £19
Paper decorations are so simple but so effective, as Caroline Borg’s Instagram proves.
Layered Lounge Large White Paper Star, $, available at Layered Lounge
Broste Copenhagen Gracie Linen Napkins, £9.90 £8.95
These linen napkins are truly classic. They’re so minimal, you can pull them out throughout the year for any number of occasions.
Broste Copenhagen Gracie Linen Napkins, $, available at Nordic Nest
Magic Linen Forest Green Linen Tablecloth, £49.55
Made with 100% Oeko-Tex-certified European flax, Magic Linen tablecloths are stonewashed for maximum softness.
Magic Linen Forest Green Linen Tablecloth, $, available at Magic Linen
Department Paris Carafe 2L, £74.90 £52
A statement piece that can be used for water, mulled wine or to hold a bunch of Christmas flowers.
Department Carafe Paris 2L, $, available at Royal Design
Urban Outfitters Festive Foliage Runner, £24
The Scandi aesthetic is all about natural textures and materials.
Urban Outfitters Festive Foliage Runner, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Dixie Sture Placemat, £5.90
Lay woven placemats on top of your linen tablecloth for an extra layer of texture and to add dimension to your table.
Dixie Sture Placemat, $, available at Nordic Nest
Madam Stoltz Ceramic Candleholder Grey, £23
Every good tablescape needs a focal point.
Madam Stoltz Ceramic Candleholder | Grey, $, available at Smallable
Snowy
The chance of a white Christmas is about as small as getting into a New Year’s Eve club night for under £10 but that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate the Alps on your dinner table. Frosted pines, reclaimed logs and muted colours: après-ski est ici!
FLOWERBX Winter White Centrepiece, £105
We love the look of a wreath runner but if your table is too small you can capture the same feeling with a miniature wreath centrepiece. This one from FLOWERBX is handmade in London with Douglas and noble fir, eucalyptus, pussy willow and alpine cones.
Flowerbx Winter White Centrepiece, $, available at Flowerbx
H&M Linen-Blend Tablecloth, £24.99
Set the (snowy) scene with a cream linen tablecloth. Probably best to avoid red wine with this one.
H&M Linen-Blend Tablecloth, $, available at H&M
LinenMe Red Striped Linen Cotton Napkin Jazz, £4.99
All that white and cream can look a little bleak so break it up with pops of festive red.
LinenMe Red Striped Linen Cotton Napkin Jazz, $, available at LinenMe
John Lewis Christmas Pinecone Napkin Rings, £12
Nothing says ski cabin chic like a silver frosted pine cone.
John Lewis Christmas Pinecone Napkin Rings, Set of 4, Brown/Silver, $, available at John Lewis
Mrs. Alice Heidi & Hans Skier Dinner Plate (Set of 4), £140
Ski Sunday theme tune optional.
Mr. Alice Heidi & Hans Skier Dinner Plate (Set of 4), $, available at Mrs. Alice
Ginger Ray Christmas Wooden Snowflake Bunting, £6.99
Frame your table with matching wall decor for the full winter wonderland effect.
Ginger Ray Christmas Wooden Snowflake Bunting, $, available at Ginger Ray
Sass & Belle Skiing Mouse Felt Decoration, £8.25
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (except this cute lil guy).
Sass & Belle Skiing Mouse Felt Decoration, $, available at Sass & Belle
Baker Ross Natural Rattan Stars, £5.95
Baker Ross Natural Rattan Stars, $, available at Baker Ross
Sumptuous
We might not be able to squeeze a banqueting table into our teeny tiny kitchen but we can still channel the extravagance of a Tudor feast. Rich colours! Luxurious textures! Heavy fabrics! Bold accessories! Bird in a bird in a bird roast entirely optional.
St.Eval 6 Red Dinner Candles, £9.99
You can’t have a sumptuous Christmas without deep crimson candles…
St.Eval 6 Red Dinner Candles, $, available at St.Eval
Burrow & Nest Bronze Candle Sticks Set Of 2, £14
…ideally dripping wax down a set of bronze candlesticks.
Burrow & Nest Bronze Candle Sticks – Set Of 2, $, available at Burrow & Nest
HappyDuckVintage Villeroy & Boch Dinner Plates, £26.47
A richly patterned, vintage toile plate will make your tablescape look way more expensive than it is. You can often find these in charity shops or from vintage sellers on Etsy for less than a brand-new crockery set.
HappyDuckVintage Villeroy & Boch Dinner Plates, $, available at Etsy
Nisbets Olympia Kings Cutlery Set, £27.99
Ornate cutlery so you can truly feast like a king (or queen).
Nisbets Olympia Kings Cutlery Set, $, available at Nisbets
FLOWERBX Dried Citrus Centrepiece, £95
An opulent Christmas tablescape isn’t complete without dried fruit decor.
Flowerbx Dried Citrus Centrepiece, $, available at Flowerbx
Mrs. Alice Beatrice Berry Red Napkins (Set of 4), £68
Make your guests feel extra special with personalised napkins.
Mrs. Alice Beatrice Berry Red Napkins (Set of 4), $, available at Mrs. Alice
M&S Collection Set of 4 Adeline Wine Glasses, £25
Cut-glass goblets look a lot more decadent than smooth, modern wine glasses.
M&S Collection Set of 4 Adeline Wine Glasses, $, available at Marks & Spencer
Flower & Glory Medium Table Arrangement, $, available at Flower & Glory
Pastels
Because red and green aren’t for everyone. And pastels signal a brighter future! Spring and new beginnings and all that. Let’s hope 2023’s a good one.
La Redoute Interieurs Scenario 100% Coated Cotton Tablecloth, £20
Set the scene with a powdery pink tablecloth.
La Redoute Interieurs Scenario 100% Coated Cotton Tablecloth, $, available at La Redoute
Our Place Drinking Glasses, £45
This aesthetic isn’t just about pops of pastel, it’s also about keeping it light with your textures and materials. Think clear glass tumblers rather than heavy wine glasses.
Our Place Drinking Glasses, $, available at Our Place
Byalicejane Terrazzo Plate, £30
Terrazzo is way more interesting than your basic white porcelain and the pattern will help to break up all the sorbet shades on show.
Byalicejane Terrazzo Plate, $, available at Etsy
Dunelm Gold 16 Piece Cutlery Set, £20
Fun fact: gold pops really well against pastel shades.
Dunelm Gold 16 Piece Cutlery Set, $, available at Dunelm
AllumeeHome Soft Pastel Beeswax & Soy Blend Spiral Twist Candles, £5
No tablescape is complete without a statement candle or two.
AllumeeHome Soft Pastel Beeswax & Soy Blend Spiral Twist Candles, $, available at Etsy
HAY Large Splash Vase – Light Pink & Blue, £99
Another pattern to break up all the colour on display, and a true statement piece for your Christmas Day bouquet.
Hay Splash Vase – Round – Large / Light Pink & Blue, $, available at Kin
Lisa Angel Set of 7 Pastel Pink Velvet Bow Decorations, £16
Use these for your table napkins, on name placeholders, wrap them around candles or nestle them in a wreath.
Lisa Angel Set of 7 Pastel Pink Velvet Bow Decorations, $, available at Lisa Angel
La Redoute Interieurs Scenario Cotton Tablecloth with Anti-Stain Treatment, $, available at La Redoute
Hay Candle – Set of 6 – Spiral – Ice Blue, Lilac, Apricot, $, available at HUH Store
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Festive Recipes To Get You In The Spirit At Home