Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These Christmas table decorations are the perfect backdrop for your holiday meal

Take your Christmas table decorating up a notch with these fun ideas

‘Tis the season to send our tastebuds on an adventure. From turkeys and hams to unique side dishes and desserts made from recipes passed down throughout the generations, food certainly takes center stage this time of year. However, who says your tastebuds have to have all the fun on Dec. 25?

Christmas table decorations can provide a feast for the eyes (and make your family and Instagram followers swoon). While some may think of it as another item on their to-do list, you may love getting your creative juices flowing by curating a gorgeously arranged tablescape. Allow these ideas to serve as inspiration.

Christmas table setting with food

Centerpieces

Tell your turkey or roast to move over. Making room on your table for a centerpiece will draw attention to the table (rather than smartphones). You have plenty of options, from subtly beautiful assortments to statement pieces. Consider these ideas:

A bouquet

Florals aren’t just for spring table settings, and you’re also not limited to an obligatory Poinsettia. Red amaryllis is a beautiful winter bloom, and hypericum berries provide a festive filler.

Wreaths

You likely have a wreath on your door or over your mantel during the holidays. Well, how about adding one to your table? Setting out one adorned with thin metallic ribbon or cranberries is particularly perfect for Christmas dinner. Placing a candle in the middle adds warmth.

Bowl of pine cones

Using natural elements can cut down your carbon footprint and put you on Mother Nature’s nice list. Collect some pine cones on your morning walk and set them in a bowl at the center of the table.

Table set with pine cones and pine branches

Napkins

Even your napkins can get into the Christmas spirit. While a traditionally folded one in a neutral tone works fine, having some fun with seasonal stitchwork and rings can add an element of joy to your place settings.

  • Find holiday-themed designs. Napkins with festive designs, like stitchings of cranberries or wreaths, are a subtle but pretty way to add some Christmas flair to your table.
  • Fold like a pro. Ensure your table is truly dressed to impress by forgoing the traditional napkin fold and opting for something more creative. In a few (sort of) simple steps, you can turn your napkin into a bow or candy cup (put some treats in it for a sweet surprise).
  • Napkin rings. If you want to use your usual napkins and aren’t an origami master, napkin rings offer an easier — but still festive — fix. A faux tree trim with silver jingle bells or pretty gold-satin ribbons makes for nice touches. You can also use real pine cones or other natural elements to spruce up your napkin game.
Festive Christmas table setting

Place cardholders

Perhaps you want to assign seats at the table. It may ensure that your politically not-so-aligned uncles don’t wind up next to one another or indicate where the “kid end” of the table is. It’s also just a worthy excuse to make place cardholders. Sites like Zazzle have holiday ones, and you can add text to them, so you don’t have to write names out yourself. Tree-shaped holders are also perfect for Christmas.

Christmas table setting

Runners

If you don’t have room for a statement centerpiece because of all the food you’re serving, a runner serves as a lower-maintenance alternative. Red or green cloth runners work well, as do ones with Christmas designs. These runners can go across the table without getting in the way of your food. (Bonus if the runner complements your napkin design.) You might also consider a garland, like one made of faux evergreen or Spanish moss. Though it takes up some room, it’s a nice way to bring the outdoors inside during the coldest time of the year. 

Person holding small wrapped gift

Personal gifts

You likely already gifted your guests something special, but a Christmas table decoration that they can take with them can ensure they remember your hosting prowess for years to come. For example, small tree decorations won’t wind up taking up dust. And food gifts, such as a small bag of cookies or a small Godiva chocolate, don’t last forever, but your guests’ tastebuds won’t soon forget them. These gifts are perfect for adding a special touch and often one final way to tell guests how grateful you are that they came to celebrate with you.

Sometimes, just getting Christmas dinner on the table feels like a win. However, if you want to go the extra mile this year, Christmas table decorations can make your place settings visually interesting and just plain fun. Centerpieces are an obvious choice, but blooms other than Poinsettia, like amaryllis, elevate any tablescape. If you don’t have room for a centerpiece, opt for a runner instead. Even napkins can be a little merrier this time of year. You can find plenty of festive designs or get creative with your folding. And remember, favors that double as decorations are a sweet way to show your guests how happy you are to have them in your life.

Editors' Recommendations

BethAnn Mayer
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
Experts agree: Say goodbye to all white decor
All white rooms are a thing of the past in home design
modern coastal living room with blue and white wicker

All white rooms are becoming a thing of the past. What was once a symbol of sleek sophistication is now being replaced with bold colors, textures, and warm tones. Not only does it add more personality to a space, but all white spaces are generally impossible to keep clean, especially if you have kids or pets. Plus, people spend more time in their homes than ever before, and they want pieces of their personality to stand out. Don't just take it from me; here are a few predictions from the experts.

All white is out
Jon Sanborn, real estate investor and co-founder of SD House Guys, knows home design is ever-evolving as homeowners' tastes change and new technologies develop. One home design trend he thinks will be disappearing in 2023 is all-white kitchens. "All-white kitchens were very popular in the past few years, but we think they'll start to fall out of favor as homeowners become more adventurous with their color schemes," he said.

Read more
Get that perfect Christmas tree aesthetic with these easy gift-wrapping hacks
How to wrap a gift: Make wrapping a breeze this year with these easy tricks
Person holding gifts wrapped in brown paper.

If you're anything like me, you love to give a gift but hate the thought of wrapping it. It takes time, patience, and can get tedious if you cut a piece too small or the gift is odd-shaped; never mind if you run out of tape (or patience). Gift wrapping can be made much easier if you have a couple of tricks up your sleeve to make it fun and easy. Luckily, the Redditors at the r/lifehacks subreddit agree, and posted this video with a few simple tips that will make wrapping presents easier.

Here are a few ways to deal with some of the gift-wrapping challenges we all face during the holiday season.

Read more
These Charlie Brown Christmas trees are your perfect holiday addition
The Charlie Brown Christmas tree is having a big comeback this year
Small spaces Christmas decor

If you're a fan of Charlie Brown, you've likely seen (more than once) A Charlie Brown Christmas. In it, Charlie gets mocked for finding a real tree for his centerpiece because of its short, puny, crooked branches and needles that seemed to fall off without much effort.

Who knew all these years later that the Charlie Brown Christmas tree would become so popular with people of all ages? There's something to be said about the nostalgia this tree brings, and we're seeing it used as the main tree in the living room and in other rooms of the home, like the dining room, bedroom, and kids' rooms.

Read more