How to set a Christmas table – a festive styling guide

Wondering how to set your Christmas table so that it looks beautifully festive? Creating a special tablescape for the holiday is a tradition that helps to mark the event and it contributes to the holiday atmosphere as everyone gathers around the table.

Setting a table for any occasion has techniques to ensure success, but a Christmas table setting might be elegant and more formal to mark the occasion, or your may prefer a more relaxed and rustic holiday table.

When it comes to colors, red and gold are classic, but you might opt to team either red or gold with another shade, or perhaps go for sparkling silver, or wintry whites for your Christmas table ideas.

Here, we showcase a selection of looks to inspire you to set a Christmas table to perfection, including a red and gold tablescape which the experts explain how to create step by step – advice that will allow you to realize any other theme of your preference.

How to set a Christmas table

To set a Christmas table successfully, think both about color palette and the level of formality you wish to create. One way to decide on the former is to pick two or three alternative hues that match your Christmas dining room decor. Alternatively, you may have a scheme in mind using classic Christmas colors, or perhaps a dramatic pairing, or bright and fun shades.

Take inspiration from this tablescaping, and use our step-by-step guide to achieve your desired look. 

How to set a Christmas table step by step

Rosie Ward, creative director of Ward & Co Interiors designed this elegant setting below and offers advice on how to set a Christmas table. She says, ‘For this particular table we wanted red to be the standout color and to make the flowers the focal point with soft gold tones supporting it. It was important to consider the exact tone of gold to complement the red – it shouldn’t be a yellow-toned gold as this can look too dominant. 

‘As you can see, the central space in this tablescape is the only element of red so it really stands out and “pops”, drawing your attention, and is balanced perfectly with the gold mats and cutlery which surround it.’

  1. Prepare the canvas

On the day – or better still, before, if the room won't be used again before Christmas – the first step in setting the perfect Christmas table is to prepare the backdrop. And to make the colors of the setting pop, use a crisp white tablecloth. 

‘I would always recommend a washable linen and, for a look like this, I would invest in a thicker, cotton tablecloth,’ says Rosie. ‘I do love the linen tablecloths from Volga Linen which are very luxurious.’ 

The tablecloth should be generous in its proportions. ‘Be careful to measure. The tablecloth should be large making sure you cover the full table, and it drapes elegantly off the edge of the table,’ explains Rosie.

2. Prepare the floral decorations

While it isn’t the first element on the table, when it comes to setting a Christmas table, it is better to prepare the Christmas plants and flowers or floral arrangements the day before so they can simply be positioned at its center on the day.

Here, to generate maximum impact, just one type of flower has been used with Red Naomi, Black Baccara and Red Piano spray roses then teamed with gold grasses to add texture and movement. Red berries and blue and Weymouth pine complete the arrangements.

Follow the lead of this design by opting for a series of vases rather than a solo centerpiece or Christmas table garland, setting aside some stems for each of the place settings.

Why opt for individual vases? ‘Multiple arrangements allow you to adapt the table setting and other family members or friends staying with you for the festive period can easily help you to put them together,’ explains Rosie. ‘The individual arrangements also create more space for candles and dishes if serving at the table itself. 

‘The other reason why I am inclined to have individual arrangements is that they can be much more easily re-used or repositioned in other areas of the house for the rest of the Christmas period, lighting up a side table in a hallway, for example, when not on your main dining room table.’

3. Create place settings

When considering how to set the perfect Christmas table, it is the place setting for each of the diners that comes next, as well as the addition of candlesticks (here from the Muse Design collection) for the table center. In gold, the candlesticks continue the color theme, with white candles to complement the tablecloth. They’re slim enough to avoid obscuring views across the table.

‘For me, candles and tealights in this look should always be white,’ says Rosie. ‘It works well when they blend in and create a warm, soft ambience. A tip to consider is to buy good quality candles as they are likely to be lit for a long time and shouldn’t then burn out too quickly. Be careful with the placement of your candles as you don’t want to set any of the foliage alight.’

Use a placemat at each setting (these are from Posh Trading Company) and on top, layer a plate and set the cutlery to either side. Again, it’s gold here to continue the tablescape’s combination.

Set a folded white napkin on top of the plate. For fun, you might want to learn how to fold a Christmas tree napkin here instead. It’s at this stage that you can add a few floral stems tied informally with ribbon. If you’re pulling crackers (like these from Nancy & Betty) before dining, one of these can be set on the plate as well to create a V-shape with the napkin. However, if they’re to be enjoyed later, set them to one side. Or perhaps you want to introduce Christmas table gifts here instead?

Set glassware for each diner, too, including a glass for water as well as the number of different wine glasses required.

Cutlery and plates, Jones Hire

4. Position the floral centerpiece

Add the floral arrangements to the center of the table. Be conscious that diners should be able to see across the centerpiece. ‘The number one rule with floral arrangements is not to add too much height and therefore block your guests’ views,’ says Ming Veevers Carter, founder of Veevers Carter.

‘When organizing your arrangement, sit down in a chair so you can see clearly and gauge the right height.’

Use tealight holders to fill the gaps between the individual floral arrangements and to add soft illumination at a lower level of the table.

Tealight holders can continue the table’s palette, and if you’re replicating this color scheme, be aware that it’s important to make sure all the golds of the table are of the same shade for maximum impact. Antique, 24 carat, or bright golds are much better than lighter, more tinny tones.

For consistency, you might want to use gold spray paint on existing tealight holders, use it on dried grasses, and for flower vases, too. Gold leaf is also an option.

Choosing a color scheme when setting a Christmas table

Think gold plus navy for a chic Christmas table setting. Gold is, of course, a traditional festive choice, while teaming it with navy gives the tablescape a sophisticated twist. 

As well as ideal as a setting for the festive meal, this is a look that’s perfect for evening get-togethers over the holidays.

Choose the red and green of holly for a Christmas table setting that’s timeless in style. Combined with natural textures in accessories and simple foliage arrangements it’s a look that’s beautifully rustic as well as festive. 

Swap formal linens for a runner plus individual place mats to allow the texture of a well-loved wood table to show.

Bring the sparkle of frost and snow to the Christmas table wherever you live. Choose sparkling silver tones for place mats, runners, charger plates, napkins and table decorations. 

Make sure the glasses at each place setting are polished so they’ll catch the light, too, for a table full of magical highlights. 

What should be on a Christmas table?

A Christmas table centerpiece will create a sense of occasion – if you don't have a side table to take serving dishes, you can remove it once guests are seated. Other musts to include are candles – never to be left unattended, but vital for creating a festive mood; if youngsters are at the table, battery-operated tealights in pretty sconces can safely perform the same function. Crackers and festive napkins are a must-have, too. 

Where do crackers go on a Christmas table?

Christmas crackers are usually placed to the left of the place setting, either on or next to the side plate you might serve bread on as part of a Christmas table setting. If there is no space to the left, the crackers can be place above the dessert cutlery, which is positioned at the top of the place setting, above the plate.