Simple ways to create a beautiful Christmas tablescape

Whether you're hosting an elegant holiday season dinner for 20 or an intimate Christmas Eve celebration for your immediate family, a festive tablescape can set the mood for the event. Here are some simple suggestions for creating one.

The type of party you're hosting and your personal style should dictate the kind of Christmas tablescape you plan for your dining room table. Whether for a formal or casual gathering, the recipe for a successful Christmas tablescape includes combining fresh flowers, soft candlelight and your own holiday decor.

Why not use classic Christmas colours as your inspiration for this festive tablescape.

• Start by using a table runner in green and red. You could opt for a solid red or green runner, or perhaps one that is striped, polka-dotted or even plaid.
• Give this tablescape a rustic look by filling a woven basket full of pine cones. For an added touch, spray paint the tips of each pine cone red or green.
• Place faux poinsettia leaves in the large woven basket as well. These classic Christmas flowers will complement the colours in the table runner.
• Surround the basket full of Christmas elements such as tea light candles in red, green, white or a combination of colours.

To create a chic Christmas tablescape, look towards metallic tones for your inspiration.

• Silver, gold or a mixture can act as the centrepiece for this elegant look. Scour your home for metallic-toned decor items, even if they aren't Christmassy.
• Mix and match items such as silver or gold candlesticks, a silver or gold serving platter or bowls in these metallic tones. Place these items down the centre of your table and fill them with Christmas ornaments in silver and gold.
• Tie silver or gold ribbon with a touch of shimmer around the candlesticks.
• You can even add a few hints of red, which will also complement this metallic tablescape.

It's easy to create a Christmas tablescape that celebrates the beauty of winter.

• Find a plush white table runner to act as your faux snow on the table.
• Go through your Christmas decorations to look for small Christmas figurines: Santa and Mrs. Claus; snowmen; reindeer and penguins can be set up along the table runner.
• Add some height and more visual interest to this tablescape with a few medium-sized apothecary jars. Fill each jar halfway full of faux snow, which you can find at craft stores. Then, add Christmas elements on top of the snow. A miniature Christmas tree, a sled or even St. Nick can be on display in these mini winter scenes that adorn your table.

This kind of tablescape is especially fun for families! Kids always enjoy seeing their favourite Christmas characters when they sit at the table.

A lovely Christmas tablescape sets the tone for a festive event, whether it's a Christmas party for kids, dinner with the family, or a holiday open house for neighbours.