5 Christmas Table Decoration Ideas

Stuck for how to make the festive lunch table special? We’ve got you.

Christmas dinner might just be the best meal of the year – so you want the decor to do it justice, bringing tons of tidings of comfort and joy. But it’s a careful balance with table decoration, you don’t need you or your diners to be knocking candles into the stuffing, or having to peer round giant flower displays to exchange cracker jokes. So, to help you find that perfect balance we’ve quizzed our florists and our trawled our crafty knowledge to bring a very merry assortment of our fave Christmas table decorating ideas.

If you fancy getting crafty, have a go yourself – our how to make a Christmas garland guide has all the info you need. Speak to your local florist (and visit your local craft shop) for supplies. We love to make an evening of the making – it’s great fun to gather friends or family and let everyone enjoy a little creative activity together. Just try not to be precious about perfect pinecone placement! And of course if you get stuck, you can always leave it to a florist.

A garland also makes for a great table decoration because with a few easy choices it won’t harm the environment. Opt for locally or organically grown foliage, use rope not floral foam as a base, and compost everything but your floral twine at the end (you can save that to use it next year). Who says Christmas has to cost the earth?

If you want a showstopper Christmas table with real impact, go upwards! Add some height to the table with tall vases full of flowers and/or tall candles. Vintage candlestick holders can add all sorts of glamour, so eyes peeled for those in charity shops.

The key with this kind of decor is placing your grand vases between guests so they don’t block anyone’s view. Then have trailing foliage or flowers run from the top for extra romance.

Candles on the Christmas table then, is a no brainer. But we love to mix them with fresh flowers inspired by the season. The light of the candles brings so much life and colour to them. Essentially you make a wreath (we have guide for that too), lay it flat and then light a lovely pillar candle in the centre. You can use this as a table centrepiece (perfect if you’re gathering on a round table) or use a few smaller versions along a long rectangular table.

When it comes to choosing blooms for your arrangement, think seasonally (like holly and hypericum) and what works with any colours that might already feature (for instance if your plates have colour on them, or if you have napkins in a certain shade). As always if in doubt, have a chat with your local florist and they’ll be glad to help.

The sculptural beauty of dried blooms is always a sight to behold. They bring a faded glamour and romance to any table. If you’re organised you can collect and dry your blooms in summer (check out our guide to drying flowers) or you can buy dried flowers from your local florist or online (but try and source some grown in the UK). We’re partial to dried hydrangeas – they’re beautifully dramatic, but even little sprigs of lavender or dried grasses can look beautiful in rustic jars. Don’t forget to add fairy lights and baubles for extra twinkle.

Think hard about the style of your crackers and name cards and match them up to the overall mood of your festive table. If you’re going for a glam, luxe style go for patterned or foiled crackers – opulent and maximalist. And for your name cards you’ll want a heavy paper stock possibly with some gold or metallic elements. If you’re going for a more rustic, understated or Scandi vibe, then go all kraft (aka brown paper) and add fun ribbon or handwritten elements.