Festive dining: How to style and decorate your Christmas table

When it comes to special occasion dining, it’s good to go the extra mile and decorate in style – and Christmas is definitely a time to do just that.

Furniture Choice challenged us to decorate a dining table ready for Christmas, so here’s what we came up with….

As our Christmas tree decoration theme is red, gold and silver, this is reflected through the dining table decorations too.

We chose a gold tablecloth for the base of the table, with a festive red silk table runner to go down the middle.

We’ve laid the table with Denby white china plates, crackers ready to be pulled and LSA International glasses – perfect for enjoying a refreshing champagne cocktail.

Each table setting is accessorised with a white star shaped napkin. We could claim to have painstakingly sat and folded each one of these by hand, but in reality they were bought pre-folded! These are a great idea and it makes things a lot easier to just open the box and set them up and we think it makes the table look extra special.

In the middle of the table, we’ve used a tall gold Christmas tree candle as the centrepiece, accessorised with a pair of smaller gold bauble candles, one each side.

To finish the table decorations off, we’ve created two little arrangements using silver acorn style baubles. Each of them features five baubles and they’re really quick and easy to arrange.

We’re pleased with the end result – what do you think?

10 top styling tips for decorating a festive table

1. Pick a colour scheme for your table setting. Coordinate it with the rest of your Christmas décor colours, or go for something different.

2. Use Christmas decorations you already own, such as baubles, candles or tinsel to create your own festive table centrepiece. Try filling a glass bowl or vase with baubles.

3. Less is often more. If you want room to easily add serving dishes, don’t pile too many decorations in the middle of the table – they’ll be a hassle to move.

4. Use candles to create atmosphere, especially if you’re dining in the evening.

5. Create simple festive napkin rings from pretty ribbon. Tie them around crisp white linen napkins and add a Christmas gift tag with a name on to act as a place setting.

6. Choose crackers that match your table colour scheme for an integrated look.

7. Make use of greenery, such as holly or mistletoe, to create table decorations. For example, a simple wreath with a candle in the middle works well, or add pieces of mistletoe to place settings.

8. Use a table runner to provide contrast and add colour to your table setting.

9. Make your own festive floating candle handles from empty kilner jars. Tie ribbon around the outside of the jar, half fill it with water and pop a red tea light candle inside.

10. Light up your table with battery operated fairy lights. Weave them around tinsel or a decorative greenery and lay them down the middle of the table, or fill a large bowl with the lights so they’ll glow safely throughout your meal.

For more ideas, check out our Christmas Table Styling Ideas board on Pinterest.

(Disclosure: Furniture Choice are running a Christmas dining table decoration competition and this post is also our entry).

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