How To Dress Up Your Christmas Table

How To Dress Up Your Christmas Table
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You've scribbled your Christmas cards, kitted out the tree, ordered the mountain of presents that you'll shower on your loved ones, munched some mince pies AND even purchased your party frock. There's nothing left to do but pour yourself a big old glass of mulled wine, right? Wrong.

Whether you're throwing a festive shindig for friends or hosting your entire family on the big day itself, there is one final area that needs addressing - the table.

From pared-back and traditional to an opulent mix of gold and silver, our rundown of table decor ideas will provide you with all the inspiration you need to make sure your spread is sparkling.

One tip - concentrate on having fun. It's the most wonderful time of the year after all.

Base notes

Tablecloths and runners are the foundations that hold the whole table aesthetic together. We love this bow-embellished piece from H&M - it's literally Christmas all wrapped up.

Prefer your base with a bit more festive cool? This old school linen number from John Lewis should do the trick. Accessorize with oodles of bread sauce and pine cones for a winter wonderland appeal.

For a girly nod to all things festive, we'd plump for this jaunty floral table covering from Zara Home. Stick to a simple, all-red colour theme to really let the cloth take centre stage.

Napkin know-how

Paper napkins might be throwaway, but their ability to bring colour and a shot of personality to any setting is unrivalled. For a fun flourish, you can't go wrong with the following sets.

These wreath-print napkins will look charming next to bright white crockery and perfectly positioned red candles.

For a minimalist table, we recommend this delicate, wintry bird-print style. Add elegant flourishes to each place setting to create a chic, calm atmosphere.

Placemat power

Placemats aren't just for protecting your table. They can also act as a great festive style piece. Let them have their moment in the spotlight as guests take their seats before putting the plates piled with festive treats in front of them.

Eat, drink and be merry - we love this French bistro style placemat. We'll complement it with overflowing break baskets, vases full of garden flowers and lashings of red wine. Joyeux Noël.

For full-on festive, this eye-catching woven style from Zara Home is perfection. Add white candles, mini poinsettia plants and pots of cranberry jelly to create a truly Christmassy vibe.

Finishing touches

Where there are napkins, there are napkin rings and Christmas is the perfect excuse to go all out on the dazzle front. We adore these nature-inspired berry beauties - almost good enough to eat. We seriously hope our table looks this fabulous come December 25th.

The words 'jingle bells' take on a whole new meaning with these gold bell napkin rings from Zara Home. Team with pressed white linen napkins for a luxe look that will definitely impress your guests.

Cracking good fun

Sometimes, when it comes to Christmas crackers, it's what's on the outside that counts - there are only so many 'jokes' and silver bottle openers that one can stomach.

If money is no object, Conran's crackers are a fashionable choice. We'll add these to a crisp white table and sprinkle red berries to add a sweet flavour. The treats inside are pretty impressive too - from a Malin &Goetz beauty treat to a Merchant & Mills tape measure.

If traditional red and white is your theme, these pretty reindeer crackers, complete with polka dot bows, will look oh-so pretty alongside your festive tableware. Is it time to pull one yet?

If you love Emma Bridgewater's classic crockery, you'll adore these pretty crackers. We can just imagine them nestled next to earthen tableware and heavy glass goblets (filled with fizz, obvo).

Stuck in the middle with you

Aside from individual place settings, don't forget the all-important centrepiece. From bright floral posies to seasonal displays that you can recycle year after year, there's something to suit every taste and budget.

How about a minimalist Christmas tree with LED lights? Adorn with mini baubles and a handful of tinsel if you prefer something more statement making.

Or perhaps this mini festive scene will float your style boat? Elegant and dainty.

Simple yet effective, these paper Christmas trees are easy to assemble and easy on the eye.

Or, if you're into multi-tasking products, this sweet snow globe, which also doubles as a place card holder, is a charming table accessory.

A festive scent

For a quintessential Christmas scent, light a Pine & Eucalyptus Jo Malone candle an hour before your guests arrive. While you wrestle with the turkey, let the deliciously fresh scent envelop your home, ready for the party to begin. Domestic goddess, moi?

One last thing...

For a pretty finishing touch, add a spring of holly or mistletoe to each place setting. The perfect way to round off a Christmas table that you'll be proud of. Merry Christmas!