Christmas, the one time of year we can be a little extravagant without feeling too guilty. The Christmas tree with every light lovingly placed, gifts wrapped up in their own works of art, some of us even demanding a new sofa in time for the 25th of December! So why is it that the Christmas table is usually only given the thought of a table cloth and some napkins adorned with pictures of holly? You don’t have to spend a small fortune to transform your table into the perfect festive setting! Follow our ten step guide for a table that sings with Christmas style!
1) If you choose to use a table cloth, a white thick linen one cannot be beaten, as this not only invites any colour to sit comfortably with it, but you can use it for other occasions throughout the year.
2) Choose your colour scheme, you can opt for an on-trend colour, which would be a plush purple and silver for 2010, or perhaps the traditional crushed berry red. Buy a table runner in your chosen colour, it must be long enough to hang 15 cm over the edge of the table. To save money you could buy material from a market and rustle up your own creation!
3) A simple way to create an almighty effect is with candles. Just by adding chunky cream church candles of different heights down the middle of the table this can warm a table with Christmas elegance instantly. I usually choose three different heights and have equal numbers of each sized candle (depending on the length of the table). If you wish to add extra depth to the table you could add the height of each candle by using candle stick holders in different colours and designs. Glass candelabras are a beautiful space saving alternative.
4) Use simple white plates and plain cutlery the food will be decoration enough!
5) By keeping the placemat neutral you can balance the colour of the table by using the same colour as the runner in the napkins. Fold the napkins into a rectangle and rest this over each plate.
6) For a real Christmas treat place a sprig of juicy red berries on top of each napkin and then a single red amaryllis flower head.
7) If you wish to involve the children ask them to make each guest a name card
8) It surely would be a great tradition missed if you sacrifice the crackers for a stylish table, why not tie a loop of red ribbon around the end of the cracker and hang the cracker over the top of each chair?
9) Festive scented candles positioned around the room complete the Christmas experience when lit hours before Christmas lunch is served, cinnamon and spice are a great combination.
10) In keeping with your chosen colour scheme, cut different lengths of ribbon and attach baubles onto the ends, if you have wooden beams in the room tie these onto one of them in a line, this gives a really striking effect. A similar effect can be achieved by doing this from curtain poles or light fittings.
Finally, ensure you think carefully about where each guest should sit. Be sure to seat people who have something in common next to one another and shy people should be sat next to caring extroverts to allow conversation to flow easier. Your table is now dripping with Christmas style and you truly can step into Christmas!