At Host’s Pantry we love getting loved ones together with mouth-watering food and drink.
When the festive season rolls around normally this is dedicated to catching up and celebrating with loved ones.
From pouring sparkling champagne to carving tender thyme-filled turkey. A festive spread should always be accompanied with a table decoration that’s got the wow factor.
Mastering the ability to create an elegant and enchanting festive table will enhance the magic and up lift the beauty of Christmas.
Within this blog you will find tips, ideas and DIY crafts to create the enchanting Christmas looks from tree napkins settings, candlelit feasts to a tablescaping with the indoors brought in.
Deciding on a theme
To create a presence with your tablescape a theme needs to be decided on to set the foundations of your hosting element. You want your guest to be welcomed with a warmth and wow factor when first entering.
Whether you want to go for a traditional theme of red, greens and gold intertwined with crystal glassware, finished off with a white linen tablecloth, or an intimate setting, with the glow of warm twinkling fairy lights and fresh evergreen branches draped, then choosing your theme is the first step.
Once chosen you can build your inviting ambiance from there.
Festive Napkin Folding
These DIY Christmas tree napkins will add an extra festive surprise for your guests to enjoy when seated at the table.
Bringing Nature Indoors
If you’re wanting to create a textured, organic and fragrant setting then the idea of integrating foliage creates a charming and seasonal ambiance. Foliage like spruce, conifer and holly can be distributed to release seasonal aromas in the room.
Foliage can be sourced from local farmer markets or even your own garden can be a wonderful source for fresh foliage adding an overall homemade touch.
Dried oranges can add a subtle extra to your table, or even a dried orange garland hung up.
To make:
- Slice your oranges into round slices.
- Use kitchen towel to soak up as much juices as possible.
- Arrange on a baking sheet/tray.
- Bake for 2 – 5 hours, flip every 30 minutes at a temp of 120 degree celsius.
Once all dehydrated and cooled you can use theses for table decorations, garlands, wreaths and used in drinks.
If you store these properly, in airtight containers they can last up to two years! Making them an effortless and sustainable addition each year.
Lighting
When lighting your table this can really set the mood of your Christmas tablescape. Whether you are wanting to create a cosy and warm ambiance, or a dramatic and grand luxurious vibe.
-
Candlelight
Candles can give a sense of warmth spread across your table. Candle holders can also add height and create a more amplified effect, especially when wanting to create a grand gesture.
From pillar style to tea lights in jars, you can really play around. Even tying a red ribbon round the base of each pillar adds a finishing and festive touch.
-
Lanterns
Small or large lanterns, filled with twinkling fairy lights or pillar candles, will again will create an elegant look on your table or even placed around the room.
-
Overhead Festive Lighting
Consider adding further festive touches, if you have lighting above your table, draping and hanging foliage, fairy lights or mistletoe, can further create the balance of a magical canopy and central charm to the table.
Centrepiece
A showstopping centre piece could also be a dazzling eye-catching focal point of your design.
A wreath, for example, filled with ferns, twigs and interwoven with lights makes a charming and elegant touch to the table. In the centre, tall candles could be placed adding further height and ambiance.
Wreath bases/oasis can be easily purchased in local farm shops or online.
Tableware Choices
Your choice of tableware will be the extra touch to your table, from vintage crockery to crisp glasses.
Place names can also be personally written or printed to add that individual intimate touch for your guests.
Of course, no Christmas table would be complete without crackers that go BANG. This adds a fun touch to your table, you can source crackers that match your colour scheme, ranging from luxury crackers with cheese graters and tape measures as gifts or more fun filled crackers that have table games and challenges for all your guests, this can add a further interactive element to your hosting.
Christmas Cheer
Christmas only comes once a year, so remember to enjoy the Christmas spirit while catching up with loved ones.
Preparing as much of the décor beforehand will leave you to focus on the cooking on the day, for example the foliage and dried oranges can be cut and prepared days in advance of your event. Meaning time to prep and focus on the main event, the delicious food and drink!
Why not consider our Hosting Boxes to make the hosting even more relaxing? Our boxes arrive straight to your door, meaning all the sourcing is taken care of. We source all the quality ingredients needed to make a delicious recipe and provide detailed hosting guides.
We hope all your Christmas prep is going well!