Classy Christmas Dining Decor

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Break up the boredom of a matching set of traditional, formal china by combining it with pieces of simple, contemporary dinnerware in bold colors and simple shapes.

— Heather Higgins, Higgins Design Studio

Setting the Table

At parties for most holidays, guests naturally migrate toward the table, and Christmas is no exception. While the food is in the oven, take some time to make your table welcoming.

Debi Lilly, an entertaining and design expert with Safeway, advises setting the table before the party starts so you can relax and spend time with guests once they arrive.

Carefully select color schemes for napkins and table covers. Lilly suggests choosing a color palette with two trendy coordinating shades, such as taupe and kiwi. “I love affordable, easy, no-iron, natural burlap, which creates a soft, organic natural base,” Lilly said. “It is easy to combine and adorn with loads of colorful, bright shades.”

Dishes and glassware also become more interesting when you mix colors and patterns. “Break up the boredom of a matching set of traditional, formal china by combining it with pieces of simple, contemporary dinnerware in bold colors and simple shapes,” recommended Heather Higgins of Higgins Design Studio in Manhattan.

Even traditional cut wine glasses will sing when paired with the clean, simple lines of contemporary stemmed water glasses, Higgins said.

The little details also matter when preparing the table for a holiday feast. Reno, Nevada-based interior designer Alejandra Bernardez prefers adding a personal touch to the table by creating place cards or small favors for her guests. “Select your favorite quote and write it down in cursive on pretty paper,” she said. Then, using a string or ribbon, attach a piece of fruit, a vegetable, a flower or a piece of candy to the paper.

Creative Centerpieces

If you’re tired of the same old holiday centerpieces cluttering your table, think outside the box this year to spruce up the dining décor.

Cortney Novogratz of HGTV’s “Design by Novogratz” recommends adding a musical touch to your table’s design scheme. “Use music as décor by taking pages from a piano book or sheet music and cut them into ribbons to fill hurricanes or glasses,” she said. “You can even spray the musical strips gold or silver for a gilded effect.”

If you’re not so musically inclined, try using nature’s best to make natural centerpieces and table fillers. Novogratz suggests bringing the outdoors to the table to top off the fruitful festivities. Spray-paint pine cones, fruits, rocks or leaves with a touch of silver or gold and use them to fill glass containers or scatter them around the table.

“Nature is cheap,” she said. “Bring it indoors with holly branches, leaves and pines that can be strung together to form a garland and a table centerpiece mixed with candles. Add fruit for pops of color and an edible runner.”

While a rustic look may be fitting for winter holidays, elegance is also a must. Dress up simple candles and bare vases with a little flair.

Lilly suggests adding a colorful satin ribbon, wrapped corset-style, around a vase. “This is so easy to do, and using unexpected trend-forward colors like apple green and white really punches up the visual drama,” she said.

Accessorize the centerpiece by sprinkling the table with wintry outdoor accents, such as votive candles and mixed greens. “The beautiful corset and the glow from a flickering candle placed inside create a focal point to delight your guests,” Lilly said.

Family-Friendly Décor

If the thought of tackling a stunning table setting by yourself is too much to bear, consider getting the family involved with decorations for the feast.

Jennifer McGarigle, founder of Venice, California-based Floral Art Design Studio, recommends enlisting the entire family to trim table-top trees. Purchase miniature trees 6 to 16 inches high and use them to create a table centerpiece with ribbons or small ornaments.

“They are particularly glamorous when placed in antique mirrored boxes in varying sizes,” McGarigle said. “This adds some sparkle to the table while being eco-conscious with plants versus cut flowers.”

Create a winter wonderland with miniature trees in varied sizes to add a festive look to your table and the smell of fresh cedar to your home.

While the adults finish assembling the trees, children can pitch in by adding ribbons, bows or sashes to the dining room chairs to match the color scheme of the table’s décor.

Don’t forget to decorate the children's table. Novogratz suggests creating interactive tablescapes to dress up the smaller dining areas. Begin by covering the table with a large piece of butcher paper to create a giant coloring sheet. Fill containers with holiday-colored crayons and markers to keep the little ones occupied before the meal.

“For inspiration, fill little present bags with either pictures of items kids can re-create or words they can use to draw from,” Novogratz said.

Higgins encourages experimentation when you are decorating alone or with little help. “Dare to ditch the tired and feeble,” she said. “Make some new additions to create entertaining venues that still retain the true meaning of your traditions but are a better fit with your own lifestyle today.”

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