Really simple ways to elevate your Christmas table
If ever there was a time to create an extra special place setting for your guests, it’s Christmas. I love a thoughtful place setting all year round, but the magic of Christmas calls for something special too. There is something very lovely about being greeted by a thoughtful place setting, and it really doesn’t need to be complicated.
My rule when it comes to creating a lux feeling yet simple place setting is texture and layers. Here’s some inspiration for your place settings
Layer up your plates and napkins in different combinations.
Try napkin folded at the side of the plate with cutlery on top, or on top of the side plate, or even in between the dinner and the side plate etc. Go for a stack.
Add stationary.
A thank you card, a menu or a name. Either write on a luggage label, or a bit of card or print something and cut it into a pretty shape. If you feel like going extra, then contact an illustrator or calligrapher to write custom name tags for you. Ooh er. She’s fancy.
Experiment with adding a little something else.
A seasonal flower head - just the head so it’s facing upwards.
A single flower stem or branch, I love pine and fir.
A feather or twig
A trinket or memento
A mini wreath (instructions in a Soulful Christmas Gathering, buy below))
A little posy (instructions in a Soulful Christmas Gathering, buy below)
I also love putting something edible on each plate (this could be instead of a stem, or in addition to), such as a small bread roll, or it could be a Gingerbread biscuit (if your piping skills are up to it, you could write guests initials). Another option could be adding a seasonal piece of fruit like a leafy satsuma or a fig (cut open is gorgeous) or a chocolate for those guests with a sweet tooth.
If I was to leave you with one piece of advice, it would be to keep everything as simple as you can and focus on the people around you. You really don’t need to spend loads of money and invest weeks of effort to make a truly wonderful environment for Wintery celebrations. A quick nosey around the garden and some simple touches here and there can create a welcoming, warming and beautiful environment for very little.
I’d love to share lots more ideas for Christmas celebrations with you, you can find them in a Soulful Christmas Gathering.
