Make Any Holiday Meal Memorable With These Dining Table Ideas

When it comes to Christmas table decoration ideas, it's important to consider linens. Even if you don't use a tablecloth, table runner, or cloth napkins every day, Christmas dinner is one event where you can fully dress the table—and in this instance, the tablecloth is paramount. Make sure to purchase the right size for your table so it drapes at least 12 inches down on all sides. If your centerpieces and dinnerware are bold and busy, choose a solid color as the base for your decor. Red, green, white, or even an icy blue could work for a Christmas dinner. Woven plaid linen is a great choice to showcase natural elements, such as a garland of branches and poinsettias. A patterned linen of holly and berries is also an easy way to add a colorful pop to a tablescape of all-white dinnerware.

Let's talk plates. You may have special china that has been passed down from generation to generation, which always creates a traditional and welcoming holiday dinner. If that is the case, you can accent your antique Christmas dinnerware with newly purchased salad plates in a corresponding solid color. Style the place settings with the dinner plate first, followed by a draped napkin, a salad plate on top of the napkin, and lastly, a place card on top of the salad plate.

If the vintage plates of holly aren't your speed, try using black china this year. The dark place setting will create a cozy feel and looks great with a lot of candlelight. Everyday plates work around the Christmas table as well, especially if you're going for a more casual celebration. You can always add a bundle of cinnamon sticks to each guest's plate, or fold a beautiful fabric napkin gracefully over each place setting.

As the name implies, this Christmas table decoration idea is what will sit in the center of your table. If you are serving your meal family-style—meaning large platters of food everyone shares—your centerpiece should be small enough to leave room for plates. If a food buffet is more your style, then you'll have plenty of room along the center of the table to place decor. To welcome conversation across the table, the centerpiece should be lower than roughly 12 inches. For a more traditional style, start with a red velvet table runner. On top of that, place a garland of evergreen branches. Among the branches, opt for brass candlesticks that hold sparkling, green or red taper candles. For a more whimsical touch, a funky Christmas color palette of white, lilac, lime green and bright red would be the perfect place to start. You can also include piles of round ornaments in clear bowls as a lovely addition to a whimsical-style Christmas table. However you decide to show off your unique style this holiday season, you can use these Christmas table decor ideas when deciding how to decorate for the evening. Remember, start with a linen, coordinate your dinnerware, and top it off with a magical centerpiece and sparkling candles. Then, gather around the dinner table with family and friends to make holiday memories to last a lifetime.