Make a Sensational Christmas Table Setting to Delight
I’m still toying with my own Christmas table setting. I was considering a sophisticated, white-on-white look but now I’m gravitating toward something more kid-pleasing. I love designing holiday tables and I change it up from year to year.
The Basics of Setting a Sensational Table
If you’re a novice at this, some design elements to consider are color, texture and height.
For example, if you start with white everyday china, you’ll want pops of color. Everything is flat on a table so you need some height–tall candlesticks and pillar candles, for example.
In the table setting above, I started with a basic table and in the post in which this table is featured, I showed how to make it sparkle, step by step.
You’ll find basic table setting tips, tips for childproofing your table, as well as why special dinners are an important teaching tool for grandkids.
Fresh Greens and Gold Christmas Table Setting
Last year, I made Christmas tree centerpieces by inserting boxwood sprigs into presoaked wet green craft foam cones. You can use other types of branches instead of the boxwood.
There are two types of foam cones. The wet ones will hold moisture, suitable for fresh greens and flowers. The dry foam cones will not absorb water; they’re meant for artificial flowers and leaves. Choose the right type.
To make the trees, soak the foam in water. Lay out the boxwood sprigs or other greens. Poke the sprigs into the foam starting at the top. If the top of your foam cone breaks, reattach it with a bamboo skewer to hold the pieces together.
Trees can be made ahead. Every few days, use a measuring cup to dribble water over the foam to keep trees moist. But first, set them in a pan or bowl to catch the water runoff.
Make these easy truffles for yummy Christmas gifts.
To finish your tree, attach ornaments that are pre-wired, poking them into the foam base. Add a small strand of battery operated fairy lights. Set the trees on small plates. I used foam rings left over from our Christmas wreath project the kids and I did last year.
For this table setting, I purchased an inexpensive gold table runner, added gold star ornaments bought on sale, and gold Christmas crackers made with my Cricut machine.
The Candy-Themed Christmas Table Setting
Gumdrop Christmas trees starred in this candy-themed table setting. Enlist the grandkids to stick the gumdrops onto the styrofoam cones with toothpicks. I used Christmas crackers in a candy cane pattern at each place, and I tucked a candy cane into red napkins tied with striped ribbon.
You can use real candy canes or candy cane plastic ornaments. A garland of fake candy ran the length of the table runner. If sweets are not an issue with your grandchildren’s parents, use more real candy. You’ll find how-to instructions for this table setting here.
The Gingerbread Tree Christmas Table Setting
For this table, adhere gingerbread or chocolate cookie cutouts with icing “glue” onto plastic-wrap-covered styrofoam cones. Let the kids devour the centerpieces at the end of dinner. You’ll find how-to instructions here.
A Woodland Christmas Table Setting
I set this table with discarded pine branches scrounged from a Christmas tree lot, pinecones, snowballs made by coating styrofoam balls with epsom salt, and artificial partridges. Tiny fairy lights add magic to the table. You’ll find how-to instructions here.
The Gingerbread House Christmas Table Setting
Before the pandemic, I made gingerbread houses from graham crackers and used them for our holiday table. The trees are ice cream cones, frosted and turned upside down.
When we were in lockdown, I turned the idea into a remote, gingerbread house party. I sent all the materials to the grandkids ahead of time and we made the houses together over FaceTime.
Now it’s become an annual family event before Christmas. Here’s how to make the houses and have a party doing them.
Easy Table Setting with Ornaments
This is an easy table to assemble. Just lay down Christmas tree greens, gold balls–I used shiny, matte, and glitter balls of different sizes–and add a string of fairy light.
The only extra effort I put into this arrangement was making ornament cookies with each guest’s name, which served as a placecard.
Next Week, More Holiday Ideas
The holidays are the most exciting family time of the year. Miss T and I spent the weekend decorating my Christmas tree. (It’s a several days affair.) And we’ll be working on more craft projects to share with you in the days ahead.
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