Christmas Tablescape Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Copy

With the whole family waiting for your Christmas meal, will anyone even notice the table decor? Joking, of course they will. If there’s ever an excuse to go extra and push the boat out, Christmas is it. But let’s be honest, we can’t just send the kids out to gather a few sticks and berries from a muddy lane and call that decor.

This isn’t about impressing your mother-in-law or recreating something you pinned on your Pinterest Christmas Board. It’s about creating a table that brings joy. One that makes you smile, makes your guests feel welcome, and doesn’t result in you barking at the children for daring to spill a splash of gravy. I love a table that looks beautiful, but I love it more when it still feels like home. Here’s how to make a festive table that feels like a celebration, not another task on the endless Christmas to-do list.

(Note: If you’ve stumbled on this in the middle of July, first of all — impressive commitment. Second, you might prefer our Ultimate Guide to Tablescaping instead.)

Start with the Tablecloth

I always start here. A good tablecloth completely changes the mood of the room, and Christmas is the moment to go a little bolder. I think rich colours like forest green or plum make everything feel more grounded. Sometimes I’ll use something lighter and layer it up with greenery and candles to give it that Christmassy edge. It doesn’t have to match anything. It just needs to make you smile. And ideally survive cranberry sauce.

Add Layers and Texture

After the cloth comes the fun part. I love adding different textures — cotton napkins, ceramic dishes, maybe a bit of brass if I’m feeling fancy. I think it’s that mix of shiny and soft, crinkled and smooth, that makes a table feel considered. Don’t worry about everything matching. This isn’t a hotel buffet. It’s your home.

The Centrepiece (Keep It Friendly)

I’ve done the big floral thing and regretted it every time. Now I keep it simple. A few sprigs of something green in little vases, some tealights in jars, and a few baubles in a bowl. That’s plenty. Sometimes I use a garland down the centre, tucked around candles. The main thing is to keep it low enough so people can see each other, and not so precious that you can’t shift it for the pudding. Nothing says “festive joy” like a guest accidentally setting their sleeve alight.

Set the Mood with Lighting

Candles are everything. I honestly think you could serve beans on toast and it would still feel festive if the lighting’s right. I mix tea lights with a couple of taller tapers and call it done. If you’re worried about wax, a bit of baking paper underneath usually helps, or just be prepared to wash the cloth. I think a bit of mess is part of it. Tables are for living, not just looking.

Thoughtful Touches (That Don’t Take All Day)

One of my favourite things to do is tie a bit of ribbon or rosemary around a napkin. Or write a name tag with a gold pen — as a guest, I always feel a strange, narcissistic warmth seeing my name written down. Either that, or I'm just pleased someone remembered I was coming and I haven’t yet disappeared into the background of social obscurity. If all else fails, a chocolate coin at each place setting works wonders.

Styling Ideas to Match Your Mood

Cosy and Classic

If I want something that feels proper Christmas, I go for the deep reds and greens. I love using old brass candlesticks and lots of fresh foliage. Add some berry-toned candles and you’re there. Personally, I'm not really here for another year of tartan and pine cones. 

Bright and Playful

I think this is a great option if you’ve got young kids or just want to shake things up. Pastel candles, a cheerful cloth, maybe even a little clash of colours. It feels light and happy.

Natural and Calm

When I want a bit of calm in the chaos, I keep things really paired back. Neutral cloth, plain plates, lots of greenery. It feels refreshing and elegant, especially after all the glitter everywhere else. I love these Christmas Table themes curated by Martha Stewart.

Final Word

Christmas is one of the rare moments in the year when we really sit down together. We linger. We talk. We pass gravy boats and open crackers. And that deserves a little beauty. Not perfection, not stress — just a table that feels like home, only a little bit shinier. 

So light the candles, throw on a cloth you love, and create something festive that brings joy to the room and calm to your mind. Because you deserve that too.

Merry styling.