6 festive tablescape ideas

Without question, one of the best things about Christmas is getting your friends, family, and loved ones around the dining table to eat, drink, and be merry. What’s on the menu is a massive part of Christmas celebrations, but there’s more to it than simply what we eat. For a meal to remember, why not transform your dining table into a feast for the eyes with these 6 festive tablescape ideas.

Festive tablescape idea: foraged foliage 

Decorating your Christmas table with foraged foliage is a triple threat. It’s free, it gets you outside, and it looks great. We’ve talked a lot about how bringing the outdoors in is one of the biggest 2022 interior trends and this is yet another way of using nature to decorate our homes. In the UK, you’ll find lots of holly and conifers, like pine or pine cones, yew, and cedar trees to use to create your foraged tablescape. 

For a minimalist style, keep things all green with a few white pillar candles or if you want to go full-festive, pile on the pine cones, dried oranges, and cranberries for a traditional look or try your hand at making a festive wreath.

Festive tablescape idea: make it scented 

We know that dining is a sensory experience. We eat as much with our eyes and noses as we do with our mouths. Crisp white table cloths and heavy silverware will (apparently) make a meal taste better. But it’s about setting the scent as much as it’s about setting the scene. 

Whilst you want to stick to non-scented candles at your dining table (heavily perfumed candles could overpower the food and confuse the palette), a subtle whiff of Christmas as your guests sit down will get them in the mood for a full-on festive feast. 

If you’ve gone foraging for your foliage, eucalyptus and pine have a distinct and festive aroma, whilst oranges or clementines stuffed with cloves, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon sticks all look and smell like Christmas come early.

Festive tablescape idea: make it edible 

To complete the sensory festivities, why not make your tablescape edible too? No need to worry if you’re running late with the main if your guests can tuck into the table. Find your balance between fun and stylish. 

From chocolates and candy canes to scattered nuts, clementines and cranberries​​—whilst gingerbread or candy canes are an adorable alternative to place settings. If you want to go all out, you could even include a gingerbread house. 

Festive tablescape idea: layer your textures

Ultimately, festive dining is all about creating a welcoming environment in your home, and that can be done by layering tactile fabrics, cosy lighting and warm colour palettes. Create a textured look with a burlap runner and chunky pillar candles or ditch the tablecloth completely for a rustic look. If you’re doing this, create visual interest with your place settings; for example, pairing seagrass placemats with striped napkins or ceramic tableware. 

Festive tablescape idea: mixed height candles

A dining table is not set until the candles are lit, so why not create visual interest by using mixed height candlesticks. There is such a wide variety of candlesticks at the moment, be it brass palm style, animal motifs, coloured glass or painted ceramics. 

From pillar to tealights and colourful tapered candles, you can mix and match your styles and candlesticks to create an eclectic, layered look. 

Festive tablescape idea: reuse Christmas decorations

Who said that Christmas decorations were just for the tree? Decorate your festive dining table by borrowing a few baubles and arranging them on your dining table for some unmistakable festive charm. 

Other Christmas decor additions could include DIY paper chains (a great way to use up leftover wrapping paper) or eco-friendly tinsel. This festive tablescape idea is fun, frivolous, and will appeal to the child in us all. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? 

If you’re looking for some DIY Christmas projects learn how to make handmade Christmas cards using leftover paint or why not take a look at these 5 easy DIY Christmas decorations to try at home. 

Hopefully these 6 festive tablescape ideas have got you ready for Christmas and in the mood for a full on feast. If you like the look of these, why not try out these 7 Christmas tree decor ideas?