Five Little Women Table Decor Ideas That Tap Into 2025's Most Nostalgic Trend – for an Enchantingly Rustic Look

If you’re a fan of festive feasting and classic country Christmases steeped in nostalgia, these Little Women table decor ideas are for you. Based on the beloved coming-of-age novel by Louisa May Alcott, written in 1868, the Little Women Christmas trend harks back to 19th-century festivities, conjuring simple pleasures, age-old traditions and cozy memories of Christmases past.

Viewers of the 1994 television adaptation will recall the parlour table laid for a Christmas breakfast, bedecked with classic linens, foraged greenery, twinkling silver candlesticks, ribbon bows, and china platters. The scene is festive yet humble, and the March family Christmas is proof that a few simple touches are all you need to set a magical Christmas mood.

Timeless and homespun, this literary look is proving particularly popular this year, causing a stir on social media with influencers looking to recreate the humble farmhouse scene with DIY Christmas craft ideas and vintage-style pieces. So, what better place to channel the look than in the dining room? Here we’ve gathered five easy Little Women table decor ideas to transport you and your guests back in time to the March family’s cozy country parlour.

1. Create a Centerpiece With Natural Greenery

In the 19th century, festive decor would have centered around Christmas foliage ideas. Like the author's own childhood home, Little Women was set in the Massachusetts countryside, where the March girls could forage for natural greenery to make Christmas table garlands, and swags.

‘I recommend leaning into all evergreens, especially anything with a nice flow, like pine. Even better if you can forage for these greenery branches, since the March girls were all about that DIY lifestyle,’ explains Michelle Edgemont, Floral Trend Expert and Director of Sales at Poppy Flowers. ‘Once you have your greenery, you can either style it in a vase or simply lay it down the center of your table. For flowers, anything that you can forage in your community (legally, of course), is going to give you that homemade look: concentrate on small tree branches with red berries or a variety of pinecones.’ This also makes a great base for dotting in some vintage brass candlesticks.

In the novel, Jo March describes a ‘tall vase of red roses, white chrysanthemums and trailing vines, which stood in the middle gave quite an elegant air to the table.’ To emulate the look, add in a handmade floral centerpiece, which incorporates seasonal red flowers such as waxed amaryllis bulbs. ‘Build arrangements with textural evergreens like pine and juniper, then layer in saturated blooms in burgundy, oxblood, and deep navy,’ adds Michelle. 'Attach ribbons to garlands and centerpieces with 22-gauge floral spool wire,' she adds. 'My favorite velvet ribbon online store is Papermart. They have a huge selection of sizes and colors. For wired ribbon, American Ribbon is the place to go.'

2. Choose a Classic Palette of Red, Green and Cream

To channel Little Women table decor, or indeed any timeless Christmas scheme, a classic palette is a must. Choosing a tablecloth in red, cream or green is a great place to start, as it will set the tone for the look.

'Over Christmas, I love keeping the colour palette grounded in classic reds and greens,' says Birdie Fortescue. ‘The green and red combination creates a timeless balance of warmth and tradition that makes this scheme so charming. Our berry red Paisley tablecloth sets the tone beautifully and can be balanced with green when adding tableware such as our dyed rattan candlesticks and napkins, as well as winter greenery from the garden.'

Those who love to revel in the festive details of the film adaptations of Little Women may spot that in the 2019 film, the table is adorned with a deep red tablecloth, which brings coziness and earthy charm. Alternatively, the 1994 film depicts a cream tablecloth with lace trim. To lean into the American farmhouse aesthetic, a gingham or plaid tablecloth in reds, whites and greens would also work particularly well.

Audrey Gelman, founder of The Six Bells, a Countryside Inn and Homeware Store in Brooklyn adds: ‘Growing up watching and reading Little Women, I always imagined the March family Christmas as the holiday world I wanted to live in; I loved the mix of New England frugality and early American charm. To recreate a Little Women and March family-inspired holiday table, I'd recommend adding a beautiful, embroidered table runner.'

3. Include Vintage-Style Serveware

Set in the 19th century, the Little Women Christmas table would have been laid with the serveware and flatware of the time, including decorative china and silverware, and cut glass bowls. Fans of the 1994 film will recall the sizzling plate of sausages and baked apples on a classic blue and white platter placed on the table, before the March girls give away their Christmas breakfast to less fortunate family.

‘In Little Women, Louisa May Alcott drew much of the March family experience from her own family life. Warmth, inclusivity, and compassion were hallmarks of legendary Alcott hospitality. For them, the true meaning and joy of Christmas came from helping those in need, even when they had little themselves,' says Jan Turnquist, Executive Director, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.

Pedestal bowls, such as the Martin High Footed basket from The Six Bells, are a great way to add height and a sense of occasion to a Christmas table, plus the folksy Edith plates are perfect for a nostalgic Little Women look. For vintage designs, yard sales or thrift stores are a great place to browse. With it being a literary theme, you could even create pedestals for candles, centerpieces or platters by piling up old books.

‘For a Little Women table, I would use transferware place settings paired with simple silver flatware,' says Leben Riebe, a Christmas fanatic and owner of the eponymous Christmas decorating store, is a champion of the vintage Christmas aesthetic.

4. Introduce Handcrafted Decorations

No Little Women Christmas table would be complete without some handcrafted touches. The March household was a hub of creativity, and alongside writing, of course, the sisters would have spent time immersed in crafts. In the 2019 adaptation, Amy March is pictured with handmade dried orange decorations, while Meg sits by the fireplace doing needlework, with a pair of patchwork stockings behind her.

Simple Rifle Paper Co paper chains hung from the ceiling are a quick and easy way to crown the table, while dried orange slices looped with twine make pretty festive flourishes for napkins. If you have more time and you are handy with a needle and thread or paint brush, then hand-stitched or hand-painted folksy decorations make wonderful keepsake table gifts and are guaranteed to conjure the simple pleasures of Christmases past.

5. Candles, Candles and More Candles

Last, but by no means least, dinner candles are an essential component of any traditional Christmas table. For an elegant and 19th-century-inspired scheme, you can't go wrong with traditional brass or silver candelabras or candleholders paired with classic cream or red taper candles such as these pictured from McGee & Co. They also offer beautiful Antique beige tapers perfect for nostalgic schemes.

Traditional candlesticks in brass, silver, or pewter are wonderfully versatile; they can be used year-round and should be in every host's styling kit. For beautifully styled tables, candle holders with assorted silhouettes and heights make for pleasing groupings. The Italian pewter candlesticks from Nickey Kehoe are a great addition to a Little Women Scheme - for an authentic feel, pair them with cream or red beeswax tapered candles.

Leben adds: 'Elegant candlesticks with beeswax candles will bring height and ambience while fresh pomegranates and oranges make the perfect finishing touch.’

Shop the Little Women Table decor Edit

The beauty of the Little Women table aesthetic is that it's easy to create and many of the timeless pieces can be reused throughout the year as part of classic country table, including folksy table linens and vintage-style plates and platters. Below we've hand-picked our favourite pieces to capture American farmhouse charm at Christmas time.

When it comes to table decor looks, they don't come more classic and cosy than the Little Women aesthetic. Characterised by natural foliage, simple vintage-inspired serveware and countless red ribbons, it's all about channelling the simple pleasures of 19th-century Christmases.

If you've been taken in by the Little Women Christmas aesthetic, then you'll love The new Six Bells Holiday collection - the perfect destination for a nostalgic holiday celebration.