How to arrange a Christmas table

Chances are this Christmas you will host at least one dinner. Whether this will be a grand dinner party for all your friends or just an intimate, family affair, knowing how to properly arrange a table is very lady-like. Because it’s a festive season, you already have a theme so you only need to play with different ideas.

1. Use layers of plaid as a tablecloth or for napkins.

2. Replace red flowers (which are so predictable) with small arrangements of nuts, fruit and cinnamon in glass bowls or vases.

4. Tie a few cinnamon sticks with red ribbon and place them around the table instead os scented candles.

5. You can still use candles, but choose white ones and stick them into old wine bottles.

6. Leave out any Christmasy decorations on or around the table because they are so tacky. It’s enough to have a beautiful Christmas tree and pretty lights.

7. White china is always the best option especially if you are going to use a coloured tablecloth.

8. Pick up your manners book and learn how to properly arrange cutlery but don’t overdo it because it look pretentions and even snobbish. 

9. Refrain from leaving a decoration, flower, or small present on each plate. Plates are for food and food only. And as a general rule, the more crowded the table is, the more annoying and difficult it will be for guests to enjoy dinner without having to worry about ruining your setting. 

10. Napkins folded in ridiculous shapes as well as napkin decorated rings are so kitsch so don’t even think about this option. You can’t get a more stylish table than with napkins folded simply.

And now a few DOs and DONTs:

DOs

DONTs