Kiddipedia
For hosts of a Christmas lunch or Christmas dinner, be it a formal meal or a casual BBQ, apart from the meal itself, another important part of the event for hosts is the setting of the table.
Come Christmas time our social media feeds are filled with pictures of proud hosts’ tables capes that are ready for their main event. But for those of us that are perhaps challenged in this area, or are hosting a Christmas dinner or Christmas lunch for the first time, where do you start if you want to produce a tables cape that will leave your guests ooh’ing and ahh’ing without spending a fortune? Mrs Tablescape has the following tips for how to tables cape for Christmas.
Numbers and event style
The number of people that will be in attendance can determine the style of lunch or dinner and your tablescape. Is it a small intimate group for a roast dinner or do you have 30 people coming for a seafood BBQ? Whilst any number of people and style of event won’t affect achieving a beautiful tablescape, when it comes to your design you’ll need to have an idea of the style of meal you’ll be serving.
Take stock of what you already have
Before you head out to purchase new tablescape items, go through your cupboards and pull out your vases, plates, glasses, serving platters, bowls etc and take stock of what you already have and what you can use. Sometimes you can surprise yourself with things you find hidden in the back of cupboards. Group items of vases or sculptures you may have, or you could just use lots of fruit and vegetables as your centrepieces.
What’s on the menu
This is where you need to have decided what you’ll be serving for lunch or dinner (or at least have an idea) as now you can look at what you’ll be serving and what bowls, serving platters etc you have to serve your menu. Also how many courses will you be serving?
Will you need entree and dessert plates to go with the main meal, or will you be serving appetisers as finger food so you’ll only need main meal and dessert plates. Will you need a bread plate? Having these decisions made will help you when designing your Christmas tablescape as you know what plates you have on your table. Start making a list of serving items you’ll need to purchase so all of your menu items have a home.
Also in this step, think about what food will be placed on the table and what will be served from the kitchen bench or side buffet. The reason for this is you don’t want to waste a beautiful tablescape if everything needs to be removed once the food comes out.
Pull out the Christmas tub!
Now the fun starts to begin! Pull out your Christmas box or tubs and look at what you can use that you already have. This doesn’t have to be definite but it gives you a starting point. Perhaps you’ve used the same tablecloth for the past few years and wish to purchase a new one this year or you have some decorations that could be used for centrepieces. Having a beautiful tablescape doesn’t mean you need to go out and purchase all new items and it’s also something that you can build on each year.
Colour scheme
The next item on your Christmas tablescape to-do list is to decide on your color scheme, starting with looking at what items you already have. For example, would you like a traditional red and green theme, silver and white theme, red and gold theme or blue and gold theme. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to colour schemes, however you will want to pick one so you know what look you’re working towards.
Christmas tables cape items
The tables cape items which you will want to include on your list are: bon bons (if you’re having them), centrepiece/s, placemats or tablecloth (or perhaps both), table runner (optional), napkins, plates, wine and/or champagne glasses, water/soft drink glasses/tumblers and cutlery.
What to use as a centrepiece
When it comes to what to use for a centrepiece, you have the option of one large centrepiece – especially if you have a round or square table, or multiple smaller centerpieces if you have a rectangular table. Again you are only limited to your imagination but as a guide, keep your centrepiece to below eye level when you’re sitting down as you don’t want your centrepiece/s to obstruct your guest’s view of each other. Also keep in mind the size of your table and how much room you’ll have once you have your plates and glasses on the table. It’s a good idea to have a trial run with the items you already have so you know how much room you have to play with.
A few DIY centrepieces include candles of various sizes and colours, a vase filled with Christmas balls or cherries, turning a wine glass upside and using it as a candle stand and placing/capturing a Christmas themed item under the wine glass, gift wrapping small boxes and tie together with ribbon as miniature presents, throwing groups of cherries or red fruit or vegetables, acorns or tree branches and leaves or small/miniature pot plants. As long as your items match your selected colour scheme they will work.
Napkins
When it comes to tablescaping, napkins are no longer just napkins. You can have lots of fun with napkins and this is where you can get creative in the DIY space. From making little pockets to place the cutlery in, to napkin rings, to making animals or fans, to personalised notes or place cards, there’s A LOT you can do with napkins as part of your tablescape. Also nearly anything can be used as a napkin ring, from hair bobbles, to ribbon in all shapes and sizes or twine, you’re pretty much only limited to your imagination.
Summary
In summary, when it comes to how to tablescape for Christmas, start with what you already have, set your colour scheme, know an approximate number of people you’re having and the style of your lunch/dinner, know how much space you’re going to have to work with on the table, know what is going to be on the table whilst food is being eaten, get creative and have fun!
Carolyn Dorrian is the founder of Mrs Tablescape
