Ideas For Creating A Simple Christmas Table

If you’ve been here a hot minute, you know one of my favorite things to create and decorate is a pretty table. With Christmas right around the corner, I wanted to share some ideas for creating a simple Christmas table.

The Table

Have you ever stopped to really think about the table? Your table. That table that you eat at daily, weekly.

It holds so many memories, doesn’t it? Especially those made at the holidays.

As a family we eat there, laugh there, pray there, and share life together. What an important place the table is!

Therefore, I think it’s only fitting that it be set beautifully.

Beautiful doesn’t always mean fancy or expensive either. There are plenty of things you may currently have that you can use to make your table look special.

Some items I use from around the house:

mix and matching your current sets of dishes
forged greenery or flowers for a centerpiece
candlesticks
tablecloths/table runners/cloth napkins
holiday decor items
garland
plain or colored stemware

“The fondest memories are made gathered around the table.” – unknown

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A Simple Centerpiece for My Christmas Table

The first thing I do to my blank table is decide what table cloth or runner I am going to use. I have been known to use both a tablecloth and a runner. Too much? I don’t think so, but you may have a preference on that. For this table setting I only used a runner.

I added my red and white table runner which is actually reversable. It has a red and white buffalo check print on the opposite side. It’s definitely nice when you buy pieces that afford you different options. I opted for the thin stripes this go around.

Next, I added my red footed tray that I made last Christmas. As far as decorating my footed tray, I added a few trees, a candle stick and a sweet picture of my dad. Although he is no longer here, it was important for me to include him at the table.

When decorting a tray or vessel of your choice I say add what brings you joy! For a Christmas centerpiece you could use Christmas bulbs, pinecones, candles, or even some greenery gathered from your yard. I love the challenge of using items I already have to create something that looks new.

Creating a space that gives you, your family, and friends that warm feeling is what it’s all about.

Joy is contagious!

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” – Marjorie Holmes

Wanting to add another layer to my table runner, I used a string of red and cream garland to add a little element of fun to the table. This type of garland is so readily available at stores like Home Goods, Marshalls and T. J. Maxx. They literally make it now for every holiday. I love the red and white because it can be used at Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Christmas.

Definintely a lot of bang for your buck!

The Dishes For My Simple Christmas Table

I’m definitely a collector of dishes and thankfully Big Al supports my habit…I mean my collection! Give me a thrift store, antique mall or vintage market and I can promise you I won’t come home empty handed. I hardly ever buy a full set of dishes. Most of the time, I just buy 6 or 8 dinner plates and sometimes, I buy a color I really love. You can see some of my favorite depression glass collection in My Coziest And Simple Fall Home Tour.

Like I suggested earlier, mixing and matching is a great option for any table setting. I rarely set a table without mixing and matching. I love the whimsy that mixing gives the table.

For this table, I added a set of cream colored dishes from The Pioneer Woman collection and some Christmas dishes I have had for years. Alternating the plates and adding some red cloth napkins that I already had gave me the look I envisioned. I tied the napkins in a knot and they looked just like a bow!

That’s right…I gift wrapped my dishes!

On a previous trip to the dollar store, I bought some shiny red bells. I wanted to somehow incorporate them into my table setting. I ran out to the open field at the end of my street and forged some greenery. Using green twine, I wrapped the bell and greenery around the napkin.

So simple and it cost me next to nothing.

I topped the table off with some of my red tumblers. They look like glass but are actually acrylic. Acrylic is much more affordable than glass, and can look really beautiful too. If you are looking for a more formal look on your table, then I suggest stemware.

My Simple Christmas Table

Simple.

Festive.

Easy.

Yet pretty and welcoming!

My hope is that I have inspired you to set a pretty table for your family and friends, this Christmas. Remember, festive doesn’t have to mean fancy or expensive!

May your Christmas be bright!