These Christmas tablescape ideas are designed to inspire you to create a beautifully styled dinner table that sets the mood for the holiday season. From color palettes to charming DIY details, there's something for every taste and occasion. Let your creativity flow to prepare a tablescape that will enchant your guests and elevate your Christmas gathering.
See my Christmas guide for an easy-to-follow checklist countdown to Christmas dinner and how to create a tablescape for more tips.
Jump to:
- 1. Crimson and Silver Tablescape
- 2. Peppermint Tablescape
- 3. Christmas Tree Napkins
- 4. Spray Painted Pine Cones
- 5. Tall Candles and Greenery
- 6. Bottle Brush Trees
- 7. Rosemary Sprig Place Cards
- 8. Ribbon Tied Silverware
- 9. Upcycled Bottle Candle Holders
- 10. Icy Blue Tablescape
- 11. Stunning Black Tablescape
- 12. Red and Gold Tablescape
- 13. Rainbow Christmas Setting
- 14. Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Centerpiece
- 15. Retro Pastel Tablescape
- 🎄 Top Tip: Vintage Christmas Decor
- 16. No Sew DIY Placemats
- 17. Cut Flower Poinsettia Centerpiece
- 🌹 Top Tip: Poinsettias & Pets
- 💭 Tips for Setting Up a Christmas Tablescape
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
The holidays are all about gathering with loved ones, and your Christmas table should reflect the warmth and joy of the season. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a cozy family meal, these Christmas tablescape ideas will help you set the scene.
I’ve rounded up a collection of easy, budget-friendly, and beautiful ideas that you can incorporate into your table this year.
1. Crimson and Silver Tablescape
A striking crimson and silver theme brings a sophisticated touch to your holiday décor. Pair deep red accents with shimmering silver for a rich, festive look that will make your Christmas dinner feel extra special.
2. Peppermint Tablescape
Capture the fun spirit of Christmas with a peppermint-inspired tablescape. Incorporate red and white stripes, candy canes, and peppermint patterns into your table setting for a playful, yet festive design.
3. Christmas Tree Napkins
Add a playful twist to your table with napkins folded into the shape of Christmas trees. This charming DIY project will make your guests smile and bring a little extra cheer to your holiday spread.
4. Spray Painted Pine Cones
Create a rustic holiday centerpiece with spray-painted pine cones. Choose metallic hues like gold or silver, or stick to classic white for a snowy effect. These easy-to-make accents bring natural beauty to your table while adding a bit of sparkle and color.
5. Tall Candles and Greenery
For an elegant and serene atmosphere, use tall candles paired with lush greenery. This classic combination is reminiscent of the peacefulness of a winter night, with the candles casting a soft glow.
6. Bottle Brush Trees
These whimsical, miniature trees are a perfect addition to a playful holiday tablescape and you can often find them at the dollar store for next to nothing. Arrange a cluster of colorful bottle brush trees down the center of your table for a fun, festive vibe.
7. Rosemary Sprig Place Cards
Personalize your Christmas table settings with fragrant rosemary sprig place cards. Simply attach a sprig of rosemary to a card with twine for a simple yet elegant detail that adds a fresh, natural element to your décor.
If you have a live Christmas tree, you can use small sprigs of fir in place of rosemary.
8. Ribbon Tied Silverware
A quick and easy DIY to elevate your Christmas dinner table is to simply tie the silverware together with a ribbon. The ribbon can match your overall theme, whether it's traditional red and green or something more modern.
9. Upcycled Bottle Candle Holders
Repurpose old bottles to create stylish and eco-friendly candle holders. These DIY projects are perfect for adding character to your table and giving new life to something that would otherwise be thrown away.
10. Icy Blue Tablescape
For a cool, serene Christmas look, go for icy blue tones. Pair pale blue linens with silver accents and white candles to evoke the feeling of a winter wonderland. Subtle touches of glitter add an extra dash of elegance.
11. Stunning Black Tablescape
If you're looking for something bold and unexpected, a stunning black tablescape is sure to impress. Combine black tableware with gold or silver accents for a sophisticated, modern take on Christmas.
12. Red and Gold Tablescape
A traditional red and gold color scheme never goes out of style for Christmas. These rich, warm tones create an inviting and festive atmosphere, perfect for a holiday feast.
13. Rainbow Christmas Setting
For a fun and cheerful twist, try a rainbow-themed Christmas table setting. Incorporate every color of the rainbow in your plates, napkins, and decorations to create a joyful and vibrant holiday atmosphere.
14. Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Centerpiece
Bring a cozy, rustic vibe to your table with a farmhouse-inspired Christmas centerpiece. Think wooden elements, plaid, and seasonal greenery to create a warm, welcoming ambiance.
15. Retro Pastel Tablescape
For a fun, nostalgic twist, try a retro pastel Christmas tablescape. Soft pinks, greens, and blues paired with vintage ornaments and décor bring a playful, cheerful touch to your holiday gathering.
🎄 Top Tip: Vintage Christmas Decor
This retro pastel color scheme pairs well with most vintage Christmas decor. If you have some fun or funky vintage ornaments or old Christmas knick-knacks, you can blend them with a pastel color scheme for a colorful kitschy retro Christmas vibe.
16. No Sew DIY Placemats
Create custom no-sew placemats to match your Christmas theme. Using fabric glue and a little creativity, you can design placemats in any color or pattern to add a personal touch to your table (and they're reusable!).
17. Cut Flower Poinsettia Centerpiece
A beautiful, cut flower poinsettia centerpiece is a classic Christmas addition that brings vibrant color and festive flair to your table. The bold red flowers paired with green foliage are the epitome of holiday cheer.
🌹 Top Tip: Poinsettias & Pets
If you have dogs or cats in your home, it is important to know that poinsettias are toxic if ingested. Curious pups or kitties nibbling on poinsettias can land them in the vet, which is no one's idea of a fun Christmas. If you are worried about your pets, artificial poinsettias can be made to look just as beautiful as the real thing and are readily available in December.
💭 Tips for Setting Up a Christmas Tablescape
- Choose a color palette. Select a color scheme that reflects your personal style—whether you prefer traditional reds and greens or something more modern like icy blue and silver.
- Add texture. Layer different fabrics, like tablecloths, runners, and placemats, to create depth and visual interest.
- Create a stunning centerpiece. Your centerpiece should be the focal point. From flowers to candles to unique DIY projects, make sure it catches the eye.
- Personalize your place settings. Whether it’s with name cards, small favors, or a fun napkin fold, small personalized touches make a big difference.
- Incorporate natural elements. Think pinecones, holly, greenery, a Christmas cactus (one of my favorites), or even a small tree. These natural details add warmth and charm to your setting.
Happy holidays, and happy decorating! Let me know in the comments which tablescape or DIY project you're most excited to try.
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
Christmas Tablescape Ideas
Ingredients
- Dishes (chargers, dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates, bowls if needed)
- Tablecloth
- Table Runner
- Napkins
- Utensils (forks, spoons, knives, and serving utensils)
- Glassware
- Decor (seasonal items, flowers, branches, greenery, etc.)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
Preperation
- Take a look around Pinterest or in your favorite magazines. Take note of what tablescapes you like and what you like about them. This is a great starting point for some inspiration.
- Consider the Christmas theme you will focus on (red/green/gold or silver/white colors (etc), St. Nick, nature, vintage decor). If you need space for a lot of food, keep that in mind when deciding how much decor to add to your table. Of course, you could always serve food buffet-style in the kitchen
- Make a list and gather your materials. This will include your linens (tablecloth, napkins, table runner), dishes (chargers, plates, bowls), utensils (forks, knives, spoons, serving utensils), glassware (cups for water, coffee or tea, and/or cocktails), as well as whatever you need for your centerpieces (florals, natural elements, candles, etc.) Name place cards are optional but add a nice finishing touch.
- Get your space nice and clean (and free of clutter) before you get started. This will give you a blank canvas to decorate.
Assemble Your Tablescape
- Place your tablecloth on the table. Try to match up what you are using for your intended theme or event, like linen for elegance, burlap for rustic charm, solid color for a clean look, or a patterned one for visual interest.*If using cloth or fabric, give it a good iron before getting started.
- Assemble your centerpiece. You could use a cake stand, candles, flowers, or anything else you might like to add. Try to vary the heights of your decor to add depth and keep everything interesting.
- Add the place settings like plates, glasses, and silverware. Do you need bowls for soup? Begin with placemats, then chargers, and work your way upwards with any necessary items (like plates and things mentioned above). Finally, you can place the napkin on top inside of a napkin ring or on the side with the silverware.
- Add any tiny details or finishing touches that you want. Go around and tuck in some holly, swags or branches, or any other small accents or decor.
- Decorating the chairs is optional. If you choose to, tie on some ribbons and bells, add a sash, or use a chair cover.
Notes
- People want to be able to chat with one another while eating, so don't use centerpiece items that are so tall you can't see the person in front of you.
- Use various textures throughout your tablescape. This could be natural elements, like flowers or branches, or part of your base, like a rattan charger or burlap table runner.
- There is a design principle that states that the arrangements of threes look the best. Try using three candleholders, three colors, three varieties of flowers, and so forth.
- Layers look great, so don't be scared to layer your linens, placemats, chargers, and napkins.
- Small touches like fresh flowers, sprigs of greenery, or unique napkin rings can elevate the overall look. The tiny details can really show how much effort went into your table. A cute nametag or handwritten place card will be noticed.
Angela Latimer says
This is my favorite time of the year where everything is decorated to perfection - including a stunning table setting my guests always love. From personalized seating cards made from Christmas cookies to fresh greenery swags and boughs, you can count on me to have fun with the look. I know you will too! ~ Angela