Divine dining with Christmas tablescape ideas

Karen Neville

special

A B Events Hire in Woking have fabulous creative ideas to help you wow your guests with a festive table that’ll really make you the host with the most

Christmas dinner is the time when friends and families come together to spread love and joy over the most special meal of the year. It’s also the perfect time to create an inviting show stopping tablescape for all the family to sit around.

You don’t need to get your tinsel in a tangle, styling a festive table doesn’t need to be expensive and can be created using handmade decoration, hiring items, and using what you have at home.

Here are our top tips for creating a festive table that’ll make you the envy of all

Start with thinking of a theme. Will you go for a white wonderland table, Elf candy canes or something like a natural Scandi Nordic look? Having a theme can add instant fun or a luxurious element to the tablescape. Plus, it helps with the décor decisions.

Do you have enough seats for everyone or chairs that match? You can hire extra chairs and benches to make sure your guests aren’t sitting on the floor or guests aren’t on office chairs. Have a matching set to give your table the extra wow factor. You could hang a little Christmas wreath, mistletoe, bells, or big bow to the back of your chair. This is a great way to bring your theme into all areas of your Christmas tablescape.

Linen always adds a luxurious feel to a table, but you don’t need to necessarily buy it! This can be hired for a fraction of the price. If you don’t want a full tablecloth, you could always use a runner down the centre of the table. This will add texture, a pop of colour without covering the whole table. Napkins matching the colour scheme will look wonderful, plus, you could be creative and fold your napkins into Christmas trees!

Incorporate all the beautiful festive foliage and pretty winter flowers into your table set up. Why not go foraging for ivy, holly, mistletoe, and fire tree to create a table runner? Then add in elements like pinecones, small baubles, faux foliage in golds/silvers etc. Remember to think about the height of the centrepiece, your guests need to be able to see other, without a great big candelabra blocking their view! Use odd numbers of items, it creates a much more pleasing effect on the eye.

A cost-effective décor idea is to make pomanders and place along the table runner and decorate pillar candles by slicing oranges and drying them, to then tie them with cinnamon sticks and twine around the candle. A Christmas tablescape wouldn’t be complete without some fairy lights intertwined around the foliage, and main centrepiece.

A great tablescape is all about layers! At AB Event Hire we’re conscious about the environment and stay away from one-use plastic throw-away items. Instead of buying new tableware, hire it in at a fraction of the price. Not only does it help reduce waste, but we can wash it up for you too! Use matching plates, cutlery and glasses to create an instant cohesive feel to the tablescape. Charger plates add a special element to the table, they can add textures and colours without overpowering the setting, these can easily be hired in too.

Personal touches – will you create name tags for each guest or leave a little Christmas present at their seat? A handmade salt dough decoration or a candy cane with a name tag on could make a heartful gesture to a family member.

For more information about how to hire items & tips on creating Christmas tablescapes, head to AB Event Hire social media pages @ab_event_hire or our website www.abeventhire.co.uk.

AB Event Hire is a family fun wedding, event & catering equipment company. They’re based in Woking and can supply you with all the items you might need to create a perfect festive celebration. Get in touch, they would love to hear from you. Telephone number 01276 856440 and the office email is [email protected].