How to Decorate a Christmas Table

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Rate: (23 Ratings)

Make your Christmas table just as festive as the rest of your home. Use pine garland, candles, Christmas ornaments and other special touches to create a memorable holiday table.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Brushes
  • Silver & Gold Ribbon
  • Acrylic Paints
  • Artificial Or Fresh Christmas Floral Arrangements
  • Candleholders
  • Collectible Christmas Tree Ornaments
  • Fabric Gift Bags
  • Holiday Napkin Rings
  • Holiday Table Runners
  • Pillar Candles
  • Pine Cones
  • Red And Gold Ball Ornaments
  • Taper Candles
  • Homemade Christmas Candies
  • Nuts
  • Holiday Napkins
  • Holiday Tablecloths
  • Large Decorative Bowls
  • Brass Charger Plates

Step1
Purchase an artificial or fresh-flower Christmas arrangement from a craft store or florist shop to use as your table's centerpiece. Let someone else do the work if you're pressed for time.
Step2
Use candles to make your own Christmas centerpiece. Set red or green taper or pillar candles in brass or wooden candleholders and arrange fresh or artificial pine garland, pinecones and cranberries around the base.
Step3
Place a large, decorative bowl in the center of your table and fill it with gilded fruit and gilded pinecones. Arrange pine garland around the base of the bowl and scatter Christmas picks throughout the garland.
Step4
Place pieces of fresh pine garland in a large decorative bowl and place red and gold ball ornaments on top. Arrange larger pieces of pine garland around the base of the bowl. Place taper or pillar candles on each side of the bowl, and dim the artificial lights in the room so that the light from the lit candles is reflected in your centerpiece.
Step5
Set your table with a tablecloth, table runner, place mats and napkins done in holiday prints and coordinating solids. Use prints sparingly to avoid giving your table a busy look and to keep attention focused on your centerpiece.
Step6
Use napkin rings that reflect the season as well. Hand-paint holiday motifs onto plain wooden napkin rings or use purchased holiday napkin rings. Unusual napkin rings, such as those made to look like strands of cranberries, are readily available at many craft stores.
Step7
Use your good china or special dishes that show Christmas motifs. If you are using a lot of holiday print fabric to decorate your table, use dishes done in coordinating, solid colors and complement them with brass charger plates.
Step8
Place a small gift at each table setting. Give collectible Christmas ornaments or small sachet bags filled with homemade Christmas candy, nuts or other small trinkets.

Tips & Warnings

  • Make sure that any foliage used as table decoration is clean before placing it on the table or near food items.
  • Keep your centerpiece small if your table space is limited. Remember that you will have to leave room for serving platters, dishes and condiments.
  • Keep your centerpiece at a height that will allow diners an unobstructed view of each other.
  • Avoid using scented candles in your centerpiece. Their scents may interfere with the aromas from your holiday kitchen.
  • Make your own tablecloth, napkins, place mats and table runner. These items are easy to make and add a special touch to any holiday table.
  • Use holiday prints or solid red, green or gold fabric to make small gift bags. See "Make a Sachet," under Related eHows, for instructions on making bags.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 12/27/2007 This table idea is for a buffet style party. Take pots, pans, and bowls you know you will not need or use at the party. Place them on the table all around, then drape your table cloth over them. Put all your dishes on top of these mounds you have created. Then around the mounds and flat areas sprinkle glitter (preferably gold, silver, green, and red). The table looks incredible this way, plus it makes it easier for the guest to get their food.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Spray clean pinecones with red and green or silver and gold paint. Add glitter or shiny beads. Hot glue them in a pile in a decorative basket, positioning long tapers inbetween the cones. Tie a pretty ribbon around the basket. You won't have to worry about dripping wax...It will just add to the colorful effects.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 You can use holiday wire-edged ribbon in place of napkin holders. Just wrap the ribbon around the napkin. You can finish it with a bow, depending on the type of ribbon. Very inexpensive and very festive.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I'm planning a holiday brunch. For place cards, I have purchased small, inexpensive (4") gold frames ($1 each) and placed their snapshots in them, which they can later take home as a memento gift.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Take a wire-edged ribbon and lay it down the center of the table, twisting a bit so it has interesting loops and shape. Insert Christmas picks in and under it; add candles in holders. This is very elegant and still allows room for serving pieces, etc.

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eHow Article:  How to Decorate a Christmas Table

eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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