Design: Christmas table setting

I’m storming ahead with Christmas organisation in the hope that everything will be done by the time that Mike is on holiday. That way we can just chill out and enjoy time with the kids together rather than having to get things organised or worse still – brave the shops!

I have a few things left-over from my table setting last time I hosted Christmas in 2012. Keen not to waste those things (I still like them) – they form the basis for this year.

The question remains as how to build on them. The blue and silver basis to the table, of course was my inspiration for our Christmas tree this year so I’m keen to continue the link between the two.

I included some more ‘rustic’ wooden decorations on the tree so need to tie these in to the table. I’ve by no means come to a final decision on anything bar the cloth and table runner – so thought I’d share my thoughts with you and would love to hear your views:

Napkins

I have plain white napkins that I originally bought for my wedding – they’re actually restaurant napkins, so really big and stand up to a lot of washing. Perfect for year-round use but smart enough to special occasions too.

Option 1 is these Reindeer napkin ring holders – I bought them many years ago from a shop that has since closed but still think they’re fun. Obviously, they’re very Christmassy but the gold colour doesn’t really tie in with the runner. Does it matter?

Option 2 is to just use twine and to include a sprig of Christmas tree. I’ve used this twine to wrap some of the presents and I think it links in with the wooden decorations too. Maybe less formal but I think I quite like it.

Tablemats

My dining room table is quite narrow and the runner is quite wide. So whatever I do, the table mats are going to overlap the runner a little.

These are the table mats we use every-day. Katie enjoys picking out animals for everyone (she’s ALWAYS the duck) and so far, they’ve proved pretty robust. I think they actually look on with the table setting – and the main design is hidden by dishes anyway.

The other option is to simply slip they under the tablecloth so it looks tidier – but obviously the cloth they doesn’t lie completely flush. What would you do?

My third option would be to buy silver ‘chargers’ or under-plates. These are much wider than plates but basically look like large coloured plates under the dishes. I think they’re really smart but am reluctant to spend a lot of money on them!

Centrepiece

Obviously, the centrepiece is one of the most important elements of the table, given that it’s meant to be the focal point. I’d love to set candles up and down the table, but with small children – this doesn’t seem like the best of plans!

I have this simple jar with a beeswax candle set in it. Whilst a pure white candle may look a bit more clean cut, I love the subtle smell of beeswax!

I’m in two minds of how to spruce it up – either, I could get some mini silver baubles and set these around the candle. Or I could buy some Hazelnuts to surround it as these would not only look rustic but would have the added bonus of being edible.

I’m worried that this doesn’t look particularly striking though but am unsure how I’d spruce it up without creating a fire hazard!

Any other ideas out there would be warmly welcomed! But you can always pin this for another time: