Setting the Scene

By Katherine Sorrell

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Setting the Scene

Style a festive table for delicious meals with family and friends

Whether you eat turkey and all the trimmings at 2pm or prepare a nut roast in the evening, a lavish meal is often the centrepiece of Christmas Day – not to mention other get-togethers around the dining table before the day itself. What could be nicer than enjoying a festive meal with your family or closest friends – perhaps with seasonal music and scented candles in the background adding to those Christmassy vibes? Carefully setting and dressing the dining table for a Christmas meal can be as much a part of the ritual of Christmas Day as putting the turkey in the oven or opening gifts. To prevent it being a time-consuming chore it is best to plan ahead, consider how you will achieve the look you want and what key ingredients are required. First, decide on an overall theme. It could be something very simple and natural, in muted, neutral colours. Or a more sparkly feel with white and silver, frosting and tinsel. A classic look is always a good option, employing red, gold and deep green, perhaps with a touch of tartan, while for a modern effect you might choose pretty pastels or even bolder neons. The key is to stick to the theme pretty tightly so it all looks unified rather than thrown together. The basis of everything is, of course, the dining table. If yours is not up to scratch, this is the perfect occasion for a tablecloth, which will disguise all manner of ills, including scratches, stains and even separate tables butted together for extra space (just make sure they’re roughly the same heights). Crisp, plain white cotton or unbleached, slubby linen are

both classics – the former with a smarter look, the latter having a laid-back, Nordic appeal. You might add a slightly more decorative effect with a lace, embroidered or scalloped trim, or opt for a full-on festive effect with an all-over Christmas pattern. Instead of a tablecloth (or perhaps as well as) you might add a slim runner along the length of the table. While fabric versions come ready-made, you can also improvise your own by arranging a narrow row of suitable decorations along the table – such as a garland of evergreen branches interspersed with pine cones and sprigs of berries, battery-operated micro lights, tea lights in little saucers, lanterns with candles, or seasonal floral displays. An alternative to a runner is an eye-catching centrepiece. A classic wreath with candles always looks great, as does a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers and foliage (think eucalyptus, berried holly, spruce, viburnum, mistletoe, roses, ivy, carnations and gypsophila), or containers with Christmas bulbs such as amaryllis, paperwhites and hyacinths. Other variations could include a grouping of lanterns or pillar candles, a pile of small, beautifully wrapped presents, a bowl full of vintage, coloured-glass baubles or a wooden Christmas ornament. If you are able to hang something above the table (perhaps from a pendant light – though beware of weight, and anything flammable) it is sure to make a dramatic impression. Ideas include a selection of greenery entwined around a slim metal frame, a scattering of origami stars made from metallic paper, a mobile made from baubles on ribbons hung from a foraged wooden bough, or a simple swirl of twinkly fairy lights. Delightful. Similar ingredients can also be used, if desired, to decorate the backs of chairs – especially useful to unify mismatching seating or if you want to make an extra statement. Wreaths, baubles, pine cones, even small wrapped gifts, can all be tied to or hung from the back of a wooden chair for a very pretty look. Place mats and napkins – chosen to co-ordinate with the overall style – are important elements and, if you like, napkins can be folded or rolled and prettified with all sorts of sweet additions, such as cinnamon sticks, candy canes, mini wrapped gifts, tiny baubles, small wooden stars, velvet ribbons or coloured twine. And then, as the final components, it’s time to add crockery, cutlery and glassware. Use your best set (or sets – layering co-ordinated crockery can be so attractive), arranged super-neatly, with all extravagance possible: bowls on top of side plates on top of dinner plates; cutlery for all the different courses; glasses for water, wine and fizz, placed just so. The result? A gorgeous, welcoming Christmas table that’s full of impact.

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1 Jazz up a simple wooden table with chunky crockery, golden goblets and baubles in bowls. Grey wooden micro star, £17.99; midwinter garland, £34.99; 50 warm white LED green micro fairy lights, £12.99; set of three antique gold glass baubles, £19.99; TruGlow® LED pillar candle trio, £26.99; Lights4fun: 01423 816 040; lights4fun.co.uk. Photograph: Oliver Perrott 2 Christmas-themed, red-and-white crockery for a warm and inviting table. Red and white Fair Isle 12-piece dinner set, £20; White Christmas Wreath 12-piece dinner set, £20; both George Home at Asda: 0800 952 0101; direct.asda.com. 3 Glowing reds and golds with ornaments, gifts and baubles creates a dramatic table setting. Faux-fur stocking, £5; cable-knit throw, £15; fur-trim pillow, £10; stag ornament, £8; trio of frosted tree decorations, £8; all B&M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk.