We have spent most holidays in Kansas City with our families. Which means I don’t set our own table for Christmas dinner, but I do usually get to set my parent’s table!
The below table from a few years back has to be my favorite to date (and was a very last minute ordeal)!
We kept it very simple, but it was a fun one! Of course it was kept festive with both green and red accents. I have no idea where the Santa Claus napkin rings are from, but the plate chargers from William Sonoma are my favorite. Very classic and can be used for years! I highly recommend investing in a nice chargers that can be reused.
The decor kept things simple while not going over-the-top on Christmas specific items. Which were already all over the house and can become too much (in my opinion).
When setting any table, I typically like to do two things: 1) have place cards so people know where to sit – this avoids any awkwardness of allowing guests to choose their seat and 2) offer a wine glass at each table setting to be offered with dinner. Even if they don’t drink wine, it makes the table look great! Oh, and I know stemless glassware is still a trend, but it’s nice to have stemmed glasses. They will always be classic.
My parents also have a couple amazing sets of china that we use for the holidays. I wish my husband and I had our own, but decided against this when we got married (such a classic tradition that not many couples follow this day in age). However, now I am trying to collect classic pieces that can be passed down to our kids. Like this gorgeous platter from Vietri. I have not taken the plunge and made the purchase yet, but I hope the price drops just a bit after the holidays. 🙂
Lastly, you can never have too many candles on a table! It always adds ambiance and makes the room so much more inviting. We usually always have extra votive candles ready to go…just in case. Even dropping them in random places around the house when people come over is lovely. Make sure they are always unscented.
A few other simple tips when hosting people for dinner over the holidays (or just in general):
- Invest in classic white plates – We made the mistake of purchasing cheaper ones for Christmas one year and they didn’t last. Spend upfront and be able to use them for years to come.
- Always use cloth napkins – Yes, they are annoying to wash/launder, but they add some elegance to any table.
- Add a festive runner – Even if your table is gorgeous or you’re using a tablecloth, a fun runner can easily enhance the table for the occasion. You can find some that aren’t overly expensive as well.
- Offer a bottle of sparkling water – We have recently enjoyed sparkling water and have found it to be a more popular option when we offer it at dinner. Also, the bottle always looks nice on the table. Oh, and you can find them super cheap at Trader Joe’s.
Bottom line, don’t stress about hosting! These tips are all things you can prepare well in advance to have a gorgeous table to host a dinner everyone will enjoy. My last piece of advice, stage the table the night before! That way, you can see what it all looks like together and you are not scrambling before people arrive.
What tips do you have when hosting people over the holidays? We’d love to hear from you! Shoot us an email at [email protected]. Your tips might be featured in upcoming posts!
