Holiday Tablescape

Looking for décor inspiration for your festive brunch, luncheon or dinner? Let our HOLIDAY TABLESCAPE be your guide.

I’m sure most of you share my belief that this truly is the most wonderful time of the year. For many of us, the main event involves gathering with our family and friends to enjoy a perfectly prepared meal. If you’re responsible for hosting such a special occasion, here are our ideas on setting a memorable HOLIDAY TABLESCAPE. We’re hoping to make your job a little easier.

LINENS

Now’s the time to pull out your fine linens and table covers. We used a simple white linen tablecloth with matching napkins featuring a classic a jour openwork edge. Guests will appreciate the soft texture of a fine linen cloth. This nod to a clean look also keeps all of the attention on the centrepiece, china, glass and flatware services.

CENTREPIECE

The foundation for the centrepiece begins with placing two metallic, star-shaped tree toppers in the centre of the table. We then balanced the look with three white pillar candles.

It’s always a good idea to- place them on small china plates to protect the tablecloth from wax drippings. We then add fresh balsam fir boughs, Norway spruce cones and the pods of beech tree nuts. All of these natural elements are an inexpensive alternative to traditional fresh flower arrangements. Final details include the placement of gold, silver, copper and bronze tree ornaments in amongst the boughs. They add a shine and reflectiveness to the table.

CHINA

The china selected for this table is a favourite vintage service from the 1950s designed by Raymond Loewy for Rosenthal. The service boasts a distinctive mid-century look and we love this pattern – called “Sunburst”. It gets top marks for its chic gold and silver exploding orb motif. Ultimately though, the key point is the simplicity of the pattern and colour of the china. Remember, food always looks most appetizing when served on white china.

GLASSWARE

Entertaining over the holiday always affords a reason to celebrate. We hope sparkling beverages like champagne or Prosecco can be considered. Simple glassware consisting of stemless water goblets and tall champagne flutes looks fab, doesn’t it? Always remember to provide non-alcoholic options like sparkling cider for kids and guests abstaining from alcohol. Your whole table can raise those flutes in good cheer.

FLATWARE

If you’re hosting and find yourself short of china, glass or flatware, why not call a friend or family member and ask to borrow? That’s what I did here. Imagine the mixing of metals between the centrepiece ornaments, the china and this sleek, modern-looking bronze flatware service.

TAKEAWAY

Follow our lead and consider placing something memorable at each place setting to take home. In this case, guests will leave with a vintage tree ornament enhanced with a sprig of pine and simple red satin bow as a souvenir. It’s often these little personal enhancements that guests appreciate most.

Finally, a word of advice: as you embark on your own holiday table setting adventure. Please, don’t sweat the small stuff. Handle everything that comes your way with a big smile on your face. After all, it’s never really about the décor or the food or the music. Rather, the smiling faces and hearts of those seated around your table that mean the most. Everything else is just the icing on your (holiday fruit) cake!