How to create a Christmas tablescape
Christmas has definitely started early this year. After all that 2020 has brought, the opportunity to put up the tree, hang some twinkling lights and create a cosy, safe atmosphere could not come soon enough.
During lockdown, I have been making plans, ordering presents and thoughts have turned to how to decorate the dining room, specifically the table so it’s ready for a feast come December 25th. Now Elys has a collection of some of my favourite brands available to shop online, I spent my time during the second lockdown browsing and purchasing a few pieces from the comfort of my sofa.
With sustainability and consideration in mind, I chose gorgeous pieces which are not only special for the holiday season, but can just as easily be used all year round. I wanted to have key items that would be investments for the next few months if not years. Most of the table ideas I share here are available to order online and you can find everything in-store.
Mary Berry White cotton runner
To begin, I chose a quilted white runner from Mary Berry, designed by the cake maker extraordinaire herself. Her whole range which is available at Elys is on my wish list, but the runner was perfect to set as my base. The padded runner stands out from the table and gives it a beautiful texture and softness against the hard wood. I chose the neutral colour to ensure it will integrate seamlessly into the ideas I have for other seasons heading into 2021. For Christmas, I will use the runner in the centre of the dining table and build up a festive tablescape using natural greens from the garden and LED candles to add a touch of warmth. This is a sophisticated setup, simple enough for you to create your own version at home this holiday season.
Check out the Mary Berry range, including the serving tray which I used for my Mulled Wine Drizzle Traybake recipe as featured in The Christmas Edit.
Cutlery: Served in Style
If you plan to invest in only one thing for your table, my recommendation is to make it cutlery, it will serve you (sorry!) well for years to come. This year, I have done just that and will be debuting a new set by Robert Welch at Christmas. I have trialled them already, especially for these photos in fact, and I just love how the shine of the metal and soft curved design glistens on the table adding even more sparkle to complete my scape.
Garden Greenery
It seems only right that after a year of being home and tending to the garden more than I usually would, that I use some of the traditional Christmas sprigs as decoration around the home. In our garden we have holly and ivy, plus I will use some fir pieces from the Christmas tree too. To tie in with the white and natural theme, I am also going to paint the tops of pinecones and add them to the table - another quick and easy crafty idea where you can add a personal touch to suit your own aesthetic. To add colour, I love incorporating fresh berries to give the table an extra seasonal touch.
If you don’t have access to a garden but want to invest in decorations that will last beyond this Christmas, why not pick up a bag of potpourri? I have a bag of the Winter Potpourri from The White Company which typically fragrances the living room, but when I need a pine cone or dried orange I dig into the bowl and borrow them for the dining table. Once I have finished with them I simply pop them back into the storage bag I have had for the last four years – sustainable home styling at its finest, I say! You can purchase top up fragrance oil in-store at Elys to keep the lush scent alive for its next use.
A note on the dried oranges on the table. They are subtle enough to blend in with the natural look but add a rich orange fleck of colour to the finished table. Check out my previous blog post on how to get ahead for Christmas where I explain how to make your own dried oranges.
Light up
The centre piece features a vase I bought form Elys years ago with a thin string of lights and lots of pine cones placed inside to add height and warmth to the table. The pinecones look gorgeous and the little lights blend in well so wire is concealed. For my table centre pieces, I always like to make sure I leave space, or use something similar to pine cones which I can move easily as when the time comes to serve dinner space should be available to place bowls or drinks. A top tip: think about how you and your guests will be eating and moving around the table, ask yourself what size area needs to be reserved for dinnerware – after all, a table should be as equally practical as it is stunning to look at.
For additional light I used LED candles randomly placed amongst the foliage. It keeps the table safe with no risk of fire (when things get a bit merry!) and gives a warming glow that says “it’s Christmas”.
Add some sparkle
A great way to continue the Christmas vibes onto the dining table is to borrow a few decorations from the tree. The White Company Christmas tree featured on The Christmas Edit cover, was adorned with pink and white baubles which caught my eye and inspired me to pick up a selection for my own tree to recreate in my own home. To tie in the table I pulled the baubles off the tree and added them to the mix. The combination of nature and touch of sparkle makes the scape look so magical with delicate ornate shapes nestled among the fresh greens.
Feeling inspired after reading Sisley’s festive tablescape ideas? Dream up and create your own holiday setting by shopping the dining collection online. Find The White Company and Christmas decorations in-store.