We all know the holiday season is a time for spending time with your loved ones. Read: squeezing too many extended family members around a too-small dining table and trying to avoid getting roped into doing your Granny’s dishes. Though we all gripe and moan from time to time, it’s no secret that the dining table is absolutely the heart of the season. So why not lean into it and make it as festive as possible? Read on for some simple and cost-effective ways to help your dining table embrace the holiday spirit!
1. Start with a Clean Slate
Ensuring you have a clean surface to start your decorating is the best place to start! Give yourself the best base to start with and you’ll save yourself lots of extra hassle down the line. So, before you go wild and start decorating to your heart’s content, get to cleaning! For best results, we recommend using our Revive and Care Wood Care Kit! This set contains wood cleaner, wood polish, a fabric cleaning solution and leather cleaner – so your dining chairs are taken care of too! Make sure to remove any dust, food stains, or stubborn sticky spots. If you’re feeling extra fancy, your next step is to protect your table against any further spills by polishing or investing in a festive tablecloth. Go for something red (of course) if you’re leaning heavily into the Christmas spirit. Other good options are deep emerald green or gold – great ways to add texture and warmth! If you care to indulge me in a bit of whimsy, opt for a patterned fabric with a seasonal design like snowmen or reindeer! If you plan on keeping the setting through the New Year, then go for something wintery like snowflakes!
2. Centrepiece comes second!
This is where you can really have some fun with your festive decor! Choosing a festive centrepiece is the key to transforming your dining table from frumpy to festive. There’s a few fun routes to go down here, so we’ve broken them up for you!
Seasonal Greenery: For a classic take on the holiday, arrange some poinettias or holly to make up the base to your centrepiece decoration. Even adding some sprigs or pine can make for a simple and easy arrangement (and it smells nice, too – bonus!). For those of you taking a more modern approach, adding some eucalyptus or pinecones are a nice touch!
Candles:The perfect way to create a warm and inviting glow! Advent candles are a classic and recognisable part of any centrepiece, but don’t be afraid to go for something different – as long as they’re not harshly scented they’ll do the job!
Trinkets: Go wild here, you can really have fun! Adding in decorative touches here like fairy lights, small bowls or even ornaments will add personality and warmth to your centrepiece.
Beware! Make sure your centrepiece isn’t too tall – otherwise your guests won’t be able to see each other over your wonderful creation!
3. Finishing Touches
If you’ve added a tablecloth or runner to your dining table, then when choosing napkins make sure to go for a complementing colour! Matching shades or a classic contrasting Christmas hue are great choices, but if you’re unsure – anything loosely festive is fine! If you have any left-over festive ribbon from the never-ending task that is wrapping presents, use this to tie the napkins and add a nice accent!
Moving onto placemats – if you really want to elevate the look of your table setting, metallic finishes are a great option. Classic holiday colours like deep reds and greens work well here too, just ensure they don’t blend in with your tablecloth!
If you’re hosting quite a few guests, adding a personalised name card to their setting can make everyone feel welcomed and special, and isn’t that just what the holidays are all about? This can be as simple as printed cards, or you can go all out by tying names to small pinecones.
Happy decorating!
Refreshing your dining table for the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! By adding just a few thoughtful touches, you can easily create an inviting and festive space without bending over backwards! So, don’t stress over embracing the holiday spirit this year and go for it! Let us know how you get on and don’t be afraid to tag us in any of your holiday dining shots on social media!