Holiday Entertaining Tips!
The variations are endless when considering how to decorate and set your holiday table for Christmas entertaining. Remember that the easiest way to set your table is to make it a reflection of yourself, your family and your interests and passions. Here are some of our tips for creating a stylish table with simplicity and ease:
- Pick a theme and a colour.
- Soft ambient light (whether it be candles, dimmed lights, or even holiday mini-lights) are a quick way to add atmosphere to your table.
- Fresh is best. Wander outside and pick up some of what nature provides naturally, or drop by your local florist or garden centre — berries, branches, pine cones and garland immediately lend a festive touch.
- Dress up items you already have in the house. Wine glasses adorned with ribbon or lace or a glass bowl filled with a selection of holiday ornaments are simple ways to dress up everyday items.
- Don’t worry if your tableware doesn’t all match. Mixing and matching are hot trends right now. Use the pieces that work the best, and then add accents within your chosen theme and colour scheme.
- Don’t forget the music. The music you play will definitely set the tone for the evening. Do you want your event to be fun-filled and casual, or refined and elegant? Choose your music accordingly.
- Spread the spirit throughout the house. Add a bit of holiday décor to the foyér, bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Enjoy yourself — don’t plan so much that you can’t enjoy the evening yourself. Prepare as much as possible ahead of time.
Read up on our tips for Setting a Table, Napkin Folding Techniques and Buffet Tips and see our new exciting line of tableware from Britain’s Father & Daughter Style and Design icons Terence Conran by Royal Doulton and Sophie Conran for Portmeirion
Holiday Table Setting Ideas
The holidays are a wonderful time for gathering with family and friends, fun-filled festivities, and delicious seasonal meals and holiday treats. I absolutely love creating a warm and welcoming ambiance for all my holiday celebrations.
Setting a festive table is often one of the cornerstones of Christmas decorating and with simple centerpieces, classic tableware and linens, you can set the theme for your holiday celebrations!
Start out by picking the theme of your décor—and then choose your table linens. We carry a full line of holiday linens from the April Cornell line (pictured here) — everything from tablecloths and placemats, to aprons, serviettes and oven mitts. Or for more casual dining we have some great paper napkins that will set the tone for your holiday table.
Then add your flatware (consider our Henckels collections), your tableware (Royal Doulton or Denby are my recommendations) and your Riedel stemware.
Finally add an attractive centrepiece as a crowning touch. If you are entertaining a large crowd you may want to consider smaller arrangements or vases placed at intervals up and down the table. You might also consider creating a colourful pattern of petals, boughs or blooms down the centre of the table that act as a floral runner, or simply place a bough of evergreens in a clear bowl among floating candles for a simple, yet elegant look.
Did you know …
…The first Christmas greeting card is believed to have been designed and printed in London, England in 1843.
…Christmas crackers are said to have been invented in 1847 by a London confectioner as a promotional way to sell his bonbons. He was inspired to add the crackle effect after he had thrown a log onto the fire.
…The use of holly as a Christmas decoration is said to come from the early Christians during the Roman festival of Saturnalia.
…It is believed that if holly berries are plentiful there will be a long and severe winter!