Classic Christmas Tablescape

Decorating your table for Christmas is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! Whether you’re hosting or want to enjoy family dinners this holiday season, here are some tips to make your table special.

Classic Christmas Tablescape Checklist

• Fresh Greenery & Florals

• Nutcrackers

• Taper Candles

• Candlesticks

• Votive Candles

• Festive Nakins

• Christmas China

• Water Glasses

• Wine Glasses

• Silverware

• Placemats

• Table Runner

• Table Gifts

Steps to Assemble

• Romanticize setting your table for Christmas! Turn on your favorite Christmas playlist and light a holiday candle to get into the spirit. Depending on if you’re making your centerpiece, setting your Christmas tablescape will take about 30-45 min on average.

• Tip: When I’m setting a table, I like to start in the center. This makes it easier so you aren’t reaching over your place settings to arrange the centerpiece.

• Start by laying your table runner in the center of your table. Depending on the fabric, make sure you steam it first. The one I’m using is a neutral linen from Pottery Barn.

• Next arrange your centerpiece. This year I’m using seasonal florals and fresh greenery, of course tied with a tartan plaid bow! If you’re looking for a festive way to add greenery to your table, check out my guide to walk you through how to assemble a Christmas centerpiece with fresh garland. I placed my vase in the middle of my table and put the garland bunches on both sides of the vase, centering them on the sides of my table.

• Floral Tip: I grabbed a seasonal arrangement at my local grocery store and mixed in some hydrangeas to put in a vase at the center of my table. I prefer when arrangements are low so it’s easy to see and talk to your family and friends while you’re enjoying a meal.

• From there I added nutcrackers on each side of the vase as a special touch. I love nutcrackers because they remind me of going to the Nutcracker with my great grandma, grandma, mom, and sister growing up. This is a fun way to tie holiday memories into my table.

• Tip: MKE gals, Winkie’s has a selection of nutcrackers.

• My family is big on dimming the lights during dinner, so having candlelight makes your table glow. I use my favorite candlesticks from my hosting essentials and got red taper candles to add a pop of color. I also added votive candles for a little extra sparkle.

• Tip: For those that are local, Sendik’s has a good assortment of taper candles.

• Now that your centerpiece is set, it’s time to move on to the place settings! Start by laying your placemats. I’m using my go-to handwoven placemats from Pottery Barn.

• I’m putting my napkins under my plates this year, so I added my napkins next. I folded them and laid them flat in the center of the placemat. I love a tartan plaid and wanted to tie back to the bow on my garland centerpiece. My exact napkins are no longer available, but here’s a similar napkin.

• Next, add your Christmas china, centering the plate on top of the napkin. I’m using Spode Christmas dishes. Spode is a Christmas classic and I love pulling out my set this time of year. My godfather gifted me a place setting each year on my birthday growing up. I don’t think I appreciated it as much then, but I’m so thankful he started my collection and every time I use my Spode dishes I think of him!

• I like to put place cards at each setting to make guests feel welcome and take the guesswork out of where to sit.

• Tip: Add a little table gift as a treat for your guests to take home and to add a special touch to your table. My grandpa started this tradition in our family and would always put a box of Frango mints at each place. I couldn’t find the small boxes of Frango mints this year, so I went with little Santa chocolates from a local shop.

• Place your glasses to the right of your dinner plate. I used my favorite water glasses from my hosting essentials and crystal wine glasses to elevate each place setting.

• Tip: Set your glasses in the upper right corner of your dinner plate. Put the water glass closest to the dinner plate and the wine glass on top of your water glass.

• Add your silverware and your Christmas table is set!

• Tip: Fork goes on the left and knife goes on the right (blade facing in). If you’re serving salad and using a separate salad plate, put the salad fork on the outside and the dinner fork between the salad fork and plate.

Happy holidays and happy hosting!