Festive Christmas Dinner Table

You may be looking forward to a busy Christmas which will gather together family from far and wide. Or perhaps you prefer a more intimate celebration enjoying the company of your nearest and dearest. For dining rooms large and small, on this special day you will undoubtedly want the table to be visually striking. Even Instagrammable! So, what are the key techniques you need to bring to the table to achieve a classic and elegant Christmas dinner?

Preparation

First things first - no table ever looked glorious by being set in a rush! So put in the effort on Christmas Eve to set your Christmas dinner table just so. Practically speaking, this gives you the opportunity to check you have enough chairs and plates for all of your guests. It also lets you spend more of Christmas morning concentrating on gift giving!

Layering

If you’re welcoming large numbers of guests, you may be using a variety of tables in order to cater for everyone. Layering is key here as it disguises the base layer (your mis-matched tables!) and brings a sense of uniformity to the room. Begin with a simple cloth and layer with a central runner and placemats. On top of this should sit napkins, cutlery and tableware. Choose contrasting colours and build a sense of height to create a stylish impression as your guests approach the table.

Themes

For a truly striking Christmas table, plan your colour scheme and stick to a set palette of tones. This will ensure an elegant and festive atmosphere in which you can enjoy your Christmas day. Modern contemporary schemes prefer cool silver, white and hints of blue. Try teaming duck egg snowflake detail with silver candlesticks and tableware.

Centrepiece

No formal dining table would be complete without a centrepiece. And Christmas is no different. Sticking with traditional basics will see you well, here. Festive greenery can be dusted and decorated with sparkle to be in keeping with your chosen table colour scheme. Consider adding depth to your centrepiece with a mirrored plate. This reflectivity works especially well with silver tableware.

Lighting

There are those who prefer electric fairy lights and those who lean towards classic candlestick lighting. However, you need not choose one or the other. While fairy lights look great as part of a modern table dressing, you can achieve dramatic depth of lighting by combining twinkling fairy lights with flickering candlelight.

Place Settings

On Christmas day, there are likely to be more diners than normal around your table. So it’s important that everyone knows where to sit. Handwritten place cards offer a nice personal touch. To achieve the ultimate in elegance, get organised and order name engraved silver napkin rings. This detail not only creates a profound sense of occasion, but can also be used year on year.

Table Gifts

Elevate your Christmas table beyond the ordinary with small table gifts. These are such a thoughtful festive touch. Think along similar lines to wedding favours; small tokens such as charms or silver ornaments. Your guests will have a talking point and the spirit of Christmas giving is well and truly at the table!

Background Music

Your Christmas table atmosphere is created by more than just the table. Don’t forget to make sure your playlist for the day is jam packed with festive hits and jingle bells! With a classic Christmas soundtrack to accompany your egg nog, seasonal joy is sure to flow!

As the saying goes, Christmas comes but once a year. And we all want to make sure it’s perfect. Whether you prefer a lunch or dinner on the big day itself, your dining table will be central to the day. So adorn your table with a festive sparkle of silver and pewter tableware and ornaments for a classic and elegant Christmas.