Does the idea of hosting Holiday dinner make you feel anxious? You might be surprised to know that even people who love to entertain find it to be stressful at times.
If the thought of cooking a full course meal makes you nervous, start with something you’re really good at. For example, if you love making eye-pleasing and delicious canapes and appetizers, why not host a happy hour or an open house? If you’re famous for your light and fluffy egg scramble or have a waffle recipe that’s to die for, you could host a Holiday brunch.
Whatever you decide to host, remember that even if you do add too much salt to your Aunt May’s famous casserole, your friends and family won’t hold it against you. They’re just happy you invited them!
And since an attractive table adds to the enjoyment of any meal, here are some table setting tips and ideas we hope will inspire you to create an unforgettable Holiday table.
Wow Guests with a Creative Centerpiece
Your centerpiece creates a focal point and unifies your table’s theme. If you’re going for rustic look, a simple wooden dough bowl filled with pillar candles and topped with moss will set the tone. Or bring a touch of nature to the table with greenery, twigs, pine cones or river rocks.
Like something a bit more glamorous? A polished silver urn filled with fresh flowers and a few mercury glass candlestick with creamy white candles is both simple and elegant.
Keep you centerpiece low and narrow so that guests can see each other across the table and don’t feel crowded.
If you’re not sure, measure! Allow for at least 14 inches on each side of the centerpiece for place settings. Let’s say your dining room table is 40 inches wide. Subtract 28 inches from that and you’ve got 12 inches (width) for your centerpiece.
Set your Table Apart with Table Linens
Set the foundation for a truly memorable dinner with the perfect table linens. Whether you prefer traditional Holiday hues or love to mix colors and patterns for your own stylish look, there are countless ways to dress up your table with linens.
Tablecloths
A tablecloth can set the tone for a special color palette or theme. For a chic, casual look, your tablecloth should hang about halfway to the floor. For a more formal look, go for a full drop tablecloth that touches the floor. This look is elegant and covers the legs of your table, chairs and guests.
Here’s a simple equation for measuring your tablecloth. Start by measuring the length and width of your table. Next, add 2X the desired drop length to each side. That means if the table is 42 inches wide and 72 inches long and you want your tablecloth to drop 9 inches, you’ll add 18 inches to each side. The result is a 60 x 90 inch tablecloth.
What if your table is round? Let’s say the diameter of your table is 60 inches. For a 15 inch drop, you’ll need a 90-inch round tablecloth.
Table Runners
Smart and stylish, a runner is a great way to dress your table without hiding the beautiful finish. A versatile table linen, they can be set across the length of the table and topped with a candelabra or candlesticks for a simple, sophisticated look. Placing table runners across the table creates a shared place setting with the person sitting across from you. And if you have an extra wide table, you can use multiple table runners across the table or lengthwise. Or crisscross a pair of table runners to wrap up your Holiday table like a gift!
Napkins
Cloth napkins on your dining table are a nice touch. You can fold them to create unique pockets for your silverware, adorn them with a simple gold napkin ring or tie the napkin with a piece of twine finished with a fresh sprig of winter greenery.
For those who would rather not use cloth napkins, disposable paper napkins are easy to purchase and come in many festive prints and colors.
Placemats
Placemats create a unique, stylish space on the table for each of your guests. Rectangular placements are quite common but you’ll also find square or round placements to balance off edges. A round wood slice makes a stylish modern rustic statement or choose woven polypropylene placemats in bright colors that easily wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Plates, glassware and silverware
You don’t have to have expensive china, crystal and silverware to create a table your Holiday guests will enjoy. Clean, sparkling plates and silverware make your table look inviting.
Don’t have a full set of dishes to make enough place settings? Mixing and matching colors and patterns makes for an attractive table. Matching the place settings for guests who sit across one another adds balance and looks intentional. Stack your dinnerware, starting with your dinner plate and topping it with a salad plate or soup bowl.
If you’re serving wine, set a wine glass and a water tumbler for everyone.
Make your silverware shine
Create unique place settings by wrapping your copper flatware in a band of burlap tied with a red ribbon or keep it traditional by setting vintage gold flatware alongside each plate.
Chargers
Chargers can really dress up your plates. A charger is basically part plate and part placemat. They create an elegant frame or border around your dinnerware for that extra decorative touch. You can create the look of a charger by using a simple wreath – a green and white wreath looks stunning around simple white china plates.
Extra Decorative Touches
Just as candles bring a warm glow to your centerpiece, adding a few decorative items adds a personal touch to your Holiday table.
A Christmas tree decoration with an attached name card makes a memorable place card or top the place setting with an old family photo and let your guests find their special spot at the table.
Place small colorful vases with a single bud around the table or set little bottle brush Christmas trees by each place setting. While the less-is-more rule applies here, these small decorative touches can have a big impact on your Holiday table.
