Simple Christmas Decorating – How to Create the Perfect Christmas Table

Christmas is a time for gathering with family and friends, and a big part of that is the Christmas dinner. And nothing adds to the special feeling of the day more than a festive Christmas table to gather around. Besides your Christmas tree, the dining table is one of the most important areas of your celebration, and there are many ways to create a simple, elegant holiday atmosphere around it.

If you want a traditional centerpiece, you can’t go wrong with a Christmas wreath laid in the center of the table. A wreath is a starting point for a million different ideas and themes, and brings a very cozy, winter feel to the table. Use whatever color scheme you have used for your tree or throughout your home, and bring it in with ribbons, bead garlands and candles.

A simple yet classic wreath centerpiece consists of a wide candle in the center of the wreath, surrounded by sprays of red berries and white fronds, with alternating gold or silver and red ribbon tucked under and flowing out. But you can choose other themes and colors. If you want something that calls to mind the winter outdoors, use whites, silver and light blues.

Also consider using fall and winter foods as part of your decorating. Christmas time is often when you can buy all sorts of nuts, and they have interesting shapes and textures you can use to enhance your centerpiece. Use them with your wreath…a glass dish in the center with a few white candles and surrounded with nuts and sprays of berries adds a touch of nature to the table. you can even add dried beans…lentils and red beans have a nice texture and, of course, bring the traditional Christmas colors along with them.

Or, use pretty vases or glass containers and fill them with nuts, clear beads or marbles, and other small festive items. Place 3 or 5 in a row down the center of the table. A row of wide, clear glass candle holders filled with nuts and beads nestling a small tea light looks simple and elegant. You can add a few other pieces in between the vases, such as bells or star ornaments, or drape ribbon in and around the grouping. just make sure there’s no chance of anything catching on fire!

Whatever colors you use, carry them through your placemats and napkins. Take two napkins of different colors, and wrap them together so that both colors show through. Then, tie them together with a piece of sturdy wired ribbon and attach a small bell or snowflake…any sort of small Christmas ornament that fits with your centerpiece. Lie the napkins in the center of each plate.

Don’t forget your chairs! You can add ribbon and ornaments to the backs of each chair, even attaching a decorative name card if you have a special seating arrangement. You can carry your theme throughout your dining room. The idea is continuity…keep to the same colors and items.

Once your Christmas table is set, there’s only one thing left to do…eat, and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. A perfectly decorated table creates a festive mood, and makes your holiday meal that much more memorable.