The most beautiful table in the land
– how to dress your table for the holidays –
If you’re going to spend hours in the kitchen putting a Christmas dinner together, you obviously want it to be presented beautifully. Such a waste to plop the turkey down on a red and white checked cloth with santa standing on the corner. So, you need to pay as much attention to the table as the dinner to keep it in balance. Now don’t go getting all stressed out, it is relatively simple and does not need to be expensive. Read further.
1. Table
There are plenty of table cloths, runners and placemats available for Christmas, but there is a big chance that you will never take it out of the drawer again. Keep it simple, and go crazy with plates, glasses and cutlery. They fill the table up plenty. The extras, I’ll tell you all about them in the following points. You can fill the table up with all sorts of extras like pompoms, pine cones or Christmas twigs. Oh and candles of course, they give atmosphere.
2. Napkins
Napkins are not always the most beautiful things on the table, but they are a necessity. You can of course go for the classic serviette ring all neatly polished, but making something is even nicer. A ribbon or string around to hold them in place is plenty, and you don’t need to go googling swan shapes, even a little twig can style it off nicely. Another nice idea that I found on Pinterest, is spraying pine cones. Staying in the season, but a bit more special.
3. Personalised name cards
Nothing better than a personal name card on the dinner table. You can make one by hand painting the name on a normal card. Leave the laptop and printer out of the equation, because Christmas is all about personal and the laptop is anything but. There are plenty of alternatives. Write names on Christmas balls for instance, totally in season but very decorative. Handy to create a table sitting arrangement beforehand. It’s always slightly awkward when guests are standing around the table and don’t know where to sit. Recognize this? I certainly do. Seat your cheerful uncle next to his estranged sister for once. You’ll be doing a bit of family-bonding at the same time. Those name tags are good for so many things.
4. Be sensitive to your environment
The table will soon be filled with food and gifts, so the environment around the table is also important. Hang something above the table for example, decorate the chairs or hang something simple on the walls. How to do it? Stick to the same style. If your table is decorated in gold, then do the same to your environment. Try not to mismatch, especially during Christmas. You could hang angel wings on the chairs, or a few lights on the wall. Doesn’t need to be much, more about details or one large item. Less is more, as long as the atmosphere is right.
5. The ACCESSORIES
One important note, the table is often a huge mess after eating. Knocked over glasses, stains on the table cloth, you know what I mean. To take attention away from the mess, make sure you have a focal point (see point 2).
Find extra inspiration on Pinterest, for new fresh ideas. And to make an impression on the family. An extra: The Hermitage is giving three prizes away for the best dinner table in Holland. You need to send in two photos. Will you send them to us also? We’d love to see them.
