12 Christmas Table Setting Ideas for the Holiday Period

As the festive period nears, we enter into a season of lavish dining and celebrations. Create a magical atmosphere for your family feasts and social gatherings by designing a Christmas table everyone will adore. 

There are countless ways to infuse your table with holiday charm, from experimenting with colour and texture to giving everyday objects a festive twist. So, without further ado, here are 12 Christmas table setting ideas that will spark your creativity and make your meals truly unforgettable this year.

Introducing Our Christmas Table Setting Ideas

Whether you’re styling a cosy four-seat table or one of our grand six, eight, or ten-seater dining sets, the creative possibilities are endless—countdown through our 12 Christmas table decorations and displays to get inspired for your holiday gatherings. 

1. Experiment with Textiles

The simple addition of a tablecloth or runner can provide a stylish backdrop for your table display, and it also helps protect the surface underneath. Complement a rustic table with a natural burlap runner, or opt for something sumptuous like velvet for a warm and luxurious feel. Keep it simple or layer the table further by incorporating fabric napkins, quilted placemats, and tying ribbons around your cutlery for extra texture and personalisation. 

2. Curate a Festive Foliage Arrangement 

Convert your everyday vases into captivating Christmas table decorations. Fill them with fresh foliage, twigs, and berries – even better if you’ve grown or foraged for them yourself! Start with a base of eucalyptus, rosemary, pine, or twigs for a natural feel. Afterwards, dot in colour and ornamentation from red holly berries, hypericum, or dried seed heads to complete the arrangement. 

When your dinner party ends, you can transport your vase to a nearby coffee table or shelf to continue admiring it throughout the season. Need help finding the perfect vessel for your display? View our range of vases to uncover beautiful Teak Root creations like the one pictured below.

3. Set Up Cosy Candlelit Nibbles

Consider setting up a snack station for relaxed gatherings. This display complements an intimate four-seat dining table set perfectly. Lay out little bowls filled with nibbles like nuts and crackers, surround your treats with flickering candles, and dim the lights to amplify the ambience. If little ones are involved, swap the candles for child-friendly LED candles to replicate the atmosphere without the safety risk. 

4. Make it Personal

If you're hosting a large feast at one of our grand eight or ten-seater dining sets, a thoughtfully arranged place setting is a great way to make each guest feel warmly welcomed. A simple hand-written name card on a plate can go a long way. You could also tie in some rosemary sprigs or a fragrant cinnamon stick. If you’re feeling generous, you could even accompany your place setting with a tiny table gift, sweet treat or Christmas cracker. 

5. Embrace Scandinavian Simplicity

Channel Christmas ‘hygge’ (cosiness) with minimalist, Scandi-inspired decor. Stick to a limited palette of whites, greys, and earthy tones. Follow this up by decorating sparingly, perhaps with natural berries, fresh fruit, eucalyptus and soft light from tapered or tealight candles. This relaxed decorating style pairs beautifully with a laidback dining arrangement. For example, try a table and bench set, such as the Reclaimed Pine  Farmhouse Cross Dining Table Set below.

6. Envision an Enchanting Woodland Scene

Bring the outdoors in with a whimsical woodland theme. Arrange natural foliage along the table’s centre, scatter pinecones, and drape garlands of dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks for a festive touch. Nestle your plates, bowls, and trays seamlessly into the display as if emerging from the greenery. 

This setup looks especially magical on a Teak Root table, where the exposed roots enhance the organic aesthetic, as shown in our Reclaimed Teak Root Piece Circular Dining Table below.

7. Create a Christmas Table Centrepiece

Turn a simple fruit bowl into a stunning Christmas table centrepiece by filling it with seasonal fruits like pomegranates, oranges, cranberries, and clusters of grapes. This vibrant display will add a burst of colour to your table. For extra festive flair, stud some oranges with cloves to create beautiful, fragrant pomanders.

Explore our complete range of fruit bowls in our tableware collection to find the perfect piece for your arrangement.

8. Go Dark, Go Bold

An industrial theme can create an atmospheric setting perfect for a winter evening. This style works beautifully in homes with exposed brick walls or a rugged, reclaimed wood table, like our Reclaimed Teak Urban Fusion Cross Dining Table.

We recommend keeping the table surface uncovered to showcase the natural textures and history of the timber, making it the centrepiece of your decor. Decorate with functional pieces like antique candelabras, weathered metal trays, and distressed brass cutlery to complement the raw materials. Finally, drape some forest green foliage or pinecones to give a subtle nod to the season.

9. Upgrade Your Chopping Boards

Reimagining your chopping boards is an easy way to elevate your table display. These versatile boards are perfect for showcasing charcuterie, canapés, desserts, and baked goods – plus they’re easy to transport from kitchen to table! 

Sustainable Furniture offers beautiful reclaimed Teak chopping boards in various shapes and sizes. Head to our tableware collection and create an arrangement of different boards to bring a rustic mismatched charm to your Christmas table. 

10. Focus on a Single Colour

If you struggle to choose a colour scheme, keep it simple and choose just one hue. Opt for deep reds or forest greens to evoke a traditional Christmas vibe, metallics like gold or silver for a touch of luxury, or icy blues for a winter wonderland feel. Incorporate various shades of your chosen colour across candles, tableware, and ornaments to create an effortlessly cohesive look.

11. Present an Artistic Serving Tray.

Elevate a humble serving tray into a fabulous platter for your guests to scramble over. These trays look irresistible when piled high with treats and are great for unleashing your creativity. Choose a tray with raised edges, such as our Solid Reclaimed Teak Serving Tray, to keep everything neatly contained.

12. Hang Decor Above the Table

Take your Christmas table decor to new heights by suspending baubles, garlands, or fairy lights above for added drama and depth. Simply attach your arrangement to the ceiling with a hook and ribbon. Alternatively, use a light fixture above your table as a base to drape pine branches or hang small ornaments. 

A suspended wreath chandelier works exceptionally well above a round table, echoing the shape below. This idea would pair perfectly with pieces like our Reclaimed Teak Circular Pedestal Dining Table Set, as shown below.

Create Your Dream Christmas Table Setting at Sustainable Furniture 

Now that you're brimming with festive styling ideas, it's time to bring them to life. From timeless dining sets to charming home accessories, we have everything you need to make your ideal Christmas table a reality. Shop our elegant yet ethical furniture today in time for the holiday period.

If you have any questions about our products, don’t hesitate to contact us – our friendly team is here and happy to assist.