Yes, You Can Create an Expensive Looking Festive Tablescape Without Spending a Fortune – the Experts Weigh In

The holiday season draws ever closer, and whether you’re inviting twenty guests for dinner or keeping it intimate with a table just for two, your dining table will take center stage during the holiday celebrations. So there's no better time to sharpen up your Christmas table decor ideas.

But if your budget has been pushed to the limit with gift shopping and Christmas decorating ideas, don't worry. There’s no need to spend a fortune to make your table look luxe. From smart styling tricks to must-shop holiday collaborations, there are plenty of affordable ways to make your tablescape look chic without being overly extravagant. It’s all about honing in on the details and making your guests feel welcome and treated.

From interior designers to high-end event planners, we’ve asked the experts to share the styling advice and seasonal touches they use to make their holiday tablescapes look instantly refined without spending hundreds of dollars.

Make the Most of Nature's Bounty

'Fresh flowers and foliage are the quickest way to make a holiday table feel elevated without spending a fortune,' says Erika Morris, founder of the California-based studio Nested Interior Design. It’s not just about filling vases with fresh blooms, though. 'The secret isn’t in pricey flowers, it’s in the muchness, which is why I prefer to let foliage steal the spotlight.'

'Go big with seasonal greenery to create strong moments,' Erika suggests. 'A garland along the table, a dramatic sculptural arrangement in the center, and chair-back wreaths all do so much more than a dozen tiny vases with dainty flowers. Magnolia leaves, fresh ivy, and a pop of preserved eucalyptus always feels rich.'

If you’d prefer to invest in evergreen foliage, consider realistic options: this juniper and noble fir garland from Anthropologie is so beautiful. Whether you’re foraging for foliage, picking flowers from the garden, or taking the faux shortcut, Erika suggests that more is definitely more. 'Don’t be afraid to go big,' she says. 'Nature provides effortless luxury.'

Get Creative with Table Gifts

Festive party favors can transform holiday place settings from lovely to luxe and they can be surprisingly inexpensive. 'It shows your appreciation to each guest for their attendance in a way that feels upscale and memorable,' agrees Meghan Clem, co-founder of luxury planning firm Intertwined Events. 'Plus, a beautifully wrapped little something extends your voice as a host beyond the meal.'

The key to making such a thoughtful moment look the part? Treating each favor as an intentional part of your tablescape rather than simply a take-home treat. 'Consider how they can enhance the look of your table,' suggests Meghan. Gift-wrapping will instantly elevate each one. 'From the paper and ribbon to the handwriting on each tag, when the look of the gifts echo your aesthetic, it adds to the sense of celebration.'

Opt for affordable gifts that can be bought in multi-packs, such as mini votive candles (these filled votive candles from Williams Sonoma are $29.95 for 16, making them less than $2 per head), and you can wrap them with some rustic Kraft paper from Amazon and jazz it up with some DIY Christmas decor ideas. Edible gifts, like some baked sweet treats or a salt-and-pepper spice mix, are also inexpensive and easy to make in bulk.

Elevate Basic Candles With a Festive Flourish

'Creating a holiday tablescape can be overwhelming,' admits the New York-based interior stylist Frances Bailey. 'The good news, though, is that making small tweaks can really elevate it quickly. Adding a beautiful ribbon to my taper candles is just one way I love to create instant festive spirit without spending lots of money or causing a big headache.' This is such an easy and affordable way to upgrade a basic set of taper candles like these unscented ones in classic cream from Target.

'I always prefer to use a satin or velvet ribbon that contrasts with the color of my taper for that satisfying pop,' says Frances. You can buy rolls of festive ribbon like this from Amazon, which will last for multiple table settings, so you'll really get your money's worth. 'Whether you’re draping the ribbon down onto the table or keeping the bow tighter to the taper, use your good swing scissors (like these fabric scissors from Amazon) to get a nice clean cut and make sure these decorated candles are the main visual draw on your table.'

If you’re less confident at measuring and trimming a length of ribbon, Meri Meri's Decorative Bows (available in holiday shades of red and green paired with baby pink and blue for a modern twist) are the cheat’s way to chic styling. 'To elicit a really positive reaction from your guests, always have your candles lit before any guests enter your dining room,' suggests Erika.

Add a Professional-Looking Menu Card

Add a sense of formality to your holiday tablescape – and dial up the anticipation for the delectable dishes you’ll be serving – by popping a menu card at each place setting. 'A personalized menu is a great way to elevate a table,' agrees Katie Webb Brundige, co-founder of Intertwined Events. 'When a guest sits down and sees a menu waiting for them, it signals intention and says that this moment, and they, have been considered.'

Whether you choose to fill in a blank card or personalize your own (try Papier’s chic designs), a menu can become a conversation starter. For maximum elegance, consider choosing a design that picks up on colors you’ve used in your china, linen, or glassware.

'A menu requires minimal costs and logistics compared to flowers, furniture, or lighting, but delivers a chic moment that serves function and fashion,' says Katie. 'It’s tangible, personal, and Instagrammable, and becomes a detail that guests remember and often take home.'

Create an Elevated Ambiance

There’s no need to go out and buy specially-designed holiday tableware to make your festive soirees look fabulous. The key to making a white tablecloth, some plain serveware, and simple flatware feel special? Candlelight.

'Luxe entertaining is really just about the individual layers, and I always say that candlelight is what makes a whole room look expensive,' agrees Erika. 'Turn off your overhead lights and weave a variety of tapers into your tablescape. Vary the heights to make a candle centerpiece look rich, decadent, and collected, without having to spend a fortune.'

To avoid your candles competing with the food you serve, always opt for unscented varieties on the table. 'It’s about giving a soft, warm ambience, so you definitely don’t want anything cloying,' says Erika. This unscented block candle set from IKEA includes different heights, making it so easy for you to create a simple, yet elegant centerpiece. Simply place inside a Christmas wreath for a naturally festive look.

Streamline Your Place Settings

For a playful but no less premium twist on place settings, skip traditional place cards. An individual holiday decoration, emblazoned with each guest’s initials, creates a more tailored look that they’re sure to remember. 'Thoughtful details like this always steal the show,' says Chicago-based designer Kaylan Kane.

'Using something unexpected to let your guest know where to sit is a perfect way to upgrade your tablescape without spending too much money,' she explains. 'Instead of a placecard, I prefer to use all manner of things: personalized ribbons with custom stitching and monogrammed cookies are a particular favourite. Adding guests’ initials to a special ornament, too, is such a simple gesture but has real impact.'

To make this idea extra cost-effective, consider using spare holiday decorations (think of this as elevated pre-Christmas decluttering). Use a metallic paint marker (Walmart) to monogram your decorations or opt for a clear set of baubles like these from Target, which you can fill with inexpensive items like sprigs of greenery, feathers, or handwritten names on a rolled-up piece of paper tucked through the hole in the top, so that it unrolls inside.

Make an Edible Centerpiece

'I treat every table as a canvas, and a beautifully laid one always makes guests feel special,' says interior designer Kit Kemp. 'I love to mix patterns and textures and enjoy combining vintage treasures with modern classics.'

The latest way Kit is elevating her holiday tablescape? Gingerbread houses. 'They are an excellent way to bring atmosphere and make for playful, personal additions to any table at this time of year,' she says. 'They bring instant height, character, and a sense of occasion.'

They’re an inexpensive way to add real impact, too – try your hand at making your own with a gingerbread house kit from Williams Sonoma. If you’re not a prize baker, don’t be afraid to take a shortcut. 'If creating gingerbread houses feels too daunting a task, consider a gingerbread biscuit at each place setting for a thoughtful, edible moment, instead,' suggests Kit.

Shop Chic but Inexpensive Table Decor

Whether you’re looking to invest in a personalized moment for your guests, create wow-factor with flowers and foliage, or simply give your everyday tableware a holiday twist, it’s clear that holiday tablescapes don’t have to be limited by budget.

Interior designers, party planners, and style experts alike love to elevate their holiday hosting traditions without splashing too much cash – it’s all about creating a tablescape that makes your space look stylish and your guests feel spoiled.