Christmas table setting ideas

With preparation, planning and a little time there is nothing more enjoyable than setting the table to get ready for a family Christmas feast!

To give you the most pleasure and enjoyment in executing this task, it is so important to plan how you want your Christmas table to look and what theme you would like to follow this year.

Below is The Gallery's TOP 10 TIPS to get ready for Christmas in your house.

TIP # 1

Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, feasting, friends and family... and that includes you too!

Don't stress over the present buying, food preparation and how you are going to pull it all together.   Begin now to plan it all no matter how big or small your Christmas event may be. 

Get out a pen and paper and write down your ideas and what you need to do.  Then systematically go down the list, do the jobs and tick them off. 

A to-do-list is the best way to cut down on the stress of trying to remember it all or leaving it to the last minute.

TIP # 2

Pick the primary colour or theme you would like to focus on for your table style. 

Obvious colour choices include red, green, silver, gold and champagne with more quirky variations including purple, hot pink, aqua, navy or orange.

Alternatively, choose a theme such as stripes, gingham, naturals or bling!

To make it even easier, if you already have a favourite table centre, candlestick, wreath, tablecloth or even dinner setting you would like to be the primary focus, then begin with that.

TIP # 3

Once you have a primary colour or theme, begin thinking of a complementary colour or finish you can use to accent and highlight your table style with.

If you choose to go with red as the primary colour then to complement it throw in touches of white or silver.  If forrest green is your colour theme then accent it with champagne gold or crisp white with a little deep red.

If you want an earthy, organic and natural looking theme then focus on using natural materials such as linen, cotton and timber or vines. Teamed with sage greens or rich reds this will look stunning.

Colour coordinates

Red & white, red with raw linen, white with deep green, white with champagne gold, white with silver, green with silver, raw linen, timber & red, silver & dark blue or silver with aqua, purple or pink.

Theme coordinates

Red ginham & raw linen, red gingham & white, raw linen with natural timbers & vine, raw linen, pine & unshelled nuts, white with silver baubles & bling or white with gold baubles & bling and finally silver branches with navy & aqua decorations & accents also look stunning and a little different.

TIP # 4

Once you know the number of guests you are having then decide on how you would like to present your christmas feast. 

Will it be in the dining room and formal, outdoors and casual or in the kitchen and informal?

The smaller your numbers the easier it is to do a formal silver or gold theme and bring out your best crockery, cutlery and glassware.

Larger groups suit more casual and natural themes with less Christmas clutter to allow for all the food and drinks!

TIP # 5

Christmas is all about going to a little extra effort.  The easiest place to make that effort is with your table centres. 

Nothing beats the magic of candles surrounded by a Christmas wreath.  Remember to use your primary colour in your wreath and accent it with touches of your complementary colour or theme.  There are some wreath ideas opposite to give you some help.

If a wreath takes up too much of your table space then use a set of three ornaments such as reindeers, Christmas trees or Santas.  You can also use candlesticks or candle hurricanes.

 Another nice idea is to run a garland of ivy or jasmine vine down the centre of the table and inter-twine it with clumps of unshelled nuts, candles or christmas baubles.

TIP # 6

The next most important and eyecatching component of setting a festive table is the individual place settings. 

Some ideas for this include:

* Arranging each persons crockery, cutlery and wine glass in a stack tied with a beautiful ribbon. 

* More traditionally, lay everything out as though ready to serve with all course cutlery next to the dinner plate and side plates complete with a bread roll

* To reduce clutter on your table if catering for large numbers, try a buffet style with all the plates and food placed on a serving table so all you have on the table is the cutlery, glassware and a beautifully presented napkin.

Be creative in the way you present your napkin and place names.  This, like the table centres will give your table that lovely individual touch and the WOW factor.

Roll and tie your napkins with something that matches in with your theme or colour.  There are several ideas pictured as well as close ups to see how it is done.

TIP # 7

Serve all the food on a side table rather than placing it down the middle of the Christmas table.  It is always so chaotic to pass big platters of food up and down the table and then try to find a space amoungst the glasses and condiments to place it down.  

Serving away from the table will also be faster, particularly if you serve hot food, and will keep your Christmas table looking neat.  Guests won't mind getting out of their seats for seconds!  

TIP # 8

Set your table, if possible, 2 days before so it is all done and you can relax and enjoy preparing the food without the stress of getting around to setting the table.

Setting it in a leisurely manner will allow you to fiddle so it is perfect!

If you cannot set the table early, then at gather all the components of your setting together, making sure all your cloths are clean and pressed and cutlery and glassware are polished, so you know exactly what to put where on Christmas day and don't need to go searching in cupboards for things.

TIP # 9

Down the middle of the table between every four guests, place sets of condiments including salt, pepper, butter, cranberry sauce, mustards etc. and a bottle of wine. This way guests will not have to stretch too far or ask for things to be passed up and down the table if you have a large group. 

TIP # 10

After all that work, thought and effort, take a moment in the middle of your festive lunch or dinner to sit back, smile and congratulate yourself on a wonderful achievement. 

Listen to the chatter and bustle around the table and enjoy just how fortunate we all are.

MERRY CHRISTMAS