» Set Your Dining Table for the Holidays

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Dressing up your dining table is almost as important as your food; it makes a holiday meal even more special.

Take the time the make your dining table look as delicious and festive as all that wonderful food you’ve prepared.

When setting your dining table for the holidays you need to think way back to your childhood and remember HOW to set a table the correct way.

Having amnesia? Here’s a reminder:

Forks go on the left of the plate, spoons and knives on the right. They should be placed in the order in which they will be used, with the first utensil on the far end from the plate, the second utensil closer toward the plate and so on. Knife blades should be turned toward the plate.
The side plate goes to the left of the place setting. If the first course is a cold one, such as a salad, set the dish at each place before guests sit down at the dining table.
If there is one wineglass, place it at the tip of the main-course knife. If there is more than one glass, arrange them in the order they will be used, outermost first.
Napkins: If you are using a fancy fold, place the napkin on top of the main plate. Otherwise, place it on the side plate or underneath the knife and spoon.
Using place cards avoids awkward moments when guests seat themselves and wards off potential problems if a fussy aunt sits next to a sloppy child or a fur-loving fashion slave sits next to a social activist. You can make place cards by simply folding in half an unlined index card and writing in calligraphy. Place cards can go on the plate, or at the head of the place serving.

Dining Table Set for Christmas Dinner

With your table setting skills back up to speed, the next step in setting the table is deciding on the table covering.

Should you use a tablecloth or placemats? Both? What about a runner? If you have a beautiful table, consider using placemats and a runner instead of a tablecloth.

Mats can be plain or patterned, woven or made of rush, as long as they’re heatproof. If your table surface needs to be protected or is already damaged, use a tablecloth.

The cloth should be big enough to drape 6 inches over each side of the table. Some tablecloths need a heatproof protective mat laid under them to prevent spills from penetrating through to the table surface.

Solid colors work best with a pattered China set, while a Christmas patterned placemat or tablecloth works best with solid colored china sets.

While white tablecloths are traditional for formal meals, during the holidays using a beautiful deep red or green tablecloth can make a wonderful festive statement. Patterned cloths are okay, as long as they don’t make the table look too cluttered once it’s set.

If a tablecloth is wrinkled or creased, throw it in the clothes dryer set on "Fluff" or "Air" along with a damp towel. Wrinkles on a formal table are a big NO-NO – even in my ‘casual’ world.

Solid placemats in holiday colors like red, blue, green, gold and silver are very versatile.

If you shop discount stores or clubs you can get great deals on plate chargers. I saw some a few years ago that were about 3x cheaper than a local department store and in larger quantities. Gold or silver are the most popular colors and both work equally well with most holiday themes and, while not necessary, they do add a pretty decorative flair to the table.

Designing your holiday tables around your existing color scheme is one option for the tablescape theme. For instance, if your existing dining room color scheme consists of deep Victorian reds, cranberry, burgundy or wine- you are in luck. Many of this fall and winter season’s hottest hues spotlight these deep, rich tones.

You may consider a poinsettia, winter berry or holly berry theme for the tablescape. Ruby or fire engine reds that portray bold, jewel tones set the stage for a dramatic tablescape, where a monochromatic color scheme can form the basis for the entire tablescape theme.

If your existing color scheme does not reflect the holidays at all, take heart. Even the most unexpected color combinations can be transformed into exciting holiday tablescapes.

Simply team your existing color scheme with winter white, shimmering silver or glistening gold accents to implement holiday magic on the holiday table.

Even unlikely colors such as mustard yellow can be paired with white to produce a star theme, silver to achieve a snowflake theme, or silvery whites to produce icicle effects that can dress up an existing tablescape color palette for the holidays.

Add sparkling white lights throughout the dining space and you have transformed the dining area into a holiday winter wonderland!

Once the theme and color scheme have been selected, it is time to design the holiday table. White plates are always in style. You can dress them up with lots of gold accessories on the table or make your theme more casual or playful.

I collect dishes, so I have several to choose from each year, including a snowman theme that I use from December through the end of Winter and a collection of solid red plates that easily intersperses with Christmas decor. Mixing coordinating colors and styles always adds interest and looks very pretty.

Get creative with napkin rings. Try tying wide ribbon around the middle of the napkin and attaching a sparkly pin of a Christmas tree, angel, snowflake, etc. You can also attach jingle bells or miniature ornaments. Check out your local craft store for ideas.

The centerpiece is a major consideration in setting the table. Think beyond the usual flowers. Look around your house and see what you can dress up with holiday décor. I using a clear glass vase filled with brightly colored ball ornaments.

If you have a gold and silver theme, you can use those instead of the colored balls. A miniature sleigh works, too. Sometimes I use a three tier stand and fill each tier with a variety of decorative items.

Red candied apples on the bottom, pinecones scattered in the middle and a pile of peppermint candies on top is easy, cheap, and very Christmasy. When deciding on your centerpiece, remember people want to be able to talk to each other- so the centerpiece should be low enough to see over the top of it.

Candles automatically add wonderful ambience and always look gorgeous on dining tables. Fill in around them with garlands. Another thought is to take a glass or mirrored plate and fill it with small reflective ornaments.
Place candles at varying heights on the plate. Or put small candles in wine goblets and wrap the stems with colorful beaded necklaces and glue beaded fringe to the rims. You can even put a small candle at each place setting.

Decorate your chairs, too. Make slipcovers or new seat covers in shiny silks or lush velvets. Or add garlands and bright bows in red, silver or gold to the back of each chair. It makes each person feel special when they go to sit down.

Lastly, it’s nice to leave a small “gift” at each place, too for that extra touch to make your guests feel welcome. Look in dollar stores and craft stores for tiny containers like jewelry boxes or small baskets. Dress them up with ribbons and fill with candy or something you know your guest will enjoy. Small Christmas ornaments make wonderful keepsakes and can be found very inexpensively. These can also double as place markers.

The Kids Christmas Table

You may remember as a kid how boring adult dinner conversation can be. Setting up a separate table for the kids is a tradition worth keeping. Use inexpensive vinyl holiday tablecloths and plastic plates and cutlery. During this time of year, finding these in holiday colors is easy.

You could also take a tip from restaurants by setting out paper place mats and crayons. Coloring books with a Christmas theme or other activity books can be placed on the kids’ table as well.

When decorating your dining table for the Holidays, the first thing you should do is to choose a theme. Once your theme has been chosen, designing your holiday tablescape will begin falling into place.

These are just a few ideas to give you a jumping off point. Have fun decorating your table; try something new and don’t be afraid to step outside the box with your ideas.

Most of all enjoy sharing good food, fine tales, and happy moments with your family and friends.