7 Tips for Decorating your Christmas Table for the First Time

Decorating a table for Christmas can kind of be overwhelming. There are so many pieces and so many possibilities, right? 

I’m sharing all the moving parts on how to decorate a table for Christmas. This is one of the most popular holidays for decorating so why not start with it!

These are ALL the things that I took into consideration when decorating my Christmas table last year.

I know, I know. It’s September. And you might be saying, “Andrea, there is no human way we should be talking about Christmas yet. We haven’t even celebrated Halloween, let alone Thanksgiving!” And to that I share a quote:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” -Benjamin Franklin

I’m not asking you to celebrate Christmas in September, I just plan ahead, okay? Embrace it. Now, Christmas planning!

1. Pay attention to the decor in the rest of your home or dining space.

This might be the most important tip I can give you. I know it is really tempting to create something really out there and totally different and modern, but that might not be the best direction to go in a home that has a traditional style.

The most beautiful table decor I’ve seen are even more beautiful when they are an accent to the already existing decorating in the home.

Does your home have a farmhouse feel? Try something rustic and natural.

Maybe you are a modern lady and you have a pretty, white home. Try implementing some fun color into your tablescape!

The idea here is to make your Christmas table look intentional.

2. Have more decorations than you think you are going to need.

I promise you won’t regret having options during this process!

When you have plenty of supplies to play around with, your brain can wander a little bit more.

Be creative with it!

Some of the things I like to have when I decorate a table are:

1. Garlands

2. Floral Picks

3. Ornaments

4. Candles & Candlesticks

5. Unique Decor Items (like Santa in a sleigh!)

6. Chargers (The fancy plates that go underneath your main plate)

7. Table linens; napkins, tablecloths, table runner, placemats, etc.

8. Napkin rings, place cards

9. Family photos or mementos

3. Are you serving your menu buffet style or family style?

The approach to decorating a table for Christmas serving the meal family style is a bit different than decorating for a buffet style meal.

For the family-style folks, you’ll want to know the exact serving dishes and trivets and such you are going to be using during the meal. I’m talking about everything from what the mashed potatoes will be served in to the butter dish. Part of your decorating will be placing these on the table and decorating around them.

For buffet style, there is a little more space for an elaborate centerpiece because your dishes aren’t being served from the table.

My family serves everything buffet style at every holiday. It seems to keep the mess more controlled. The serving surface, typically a countertop, gets the bulk of the mess and makes for easy cleaning.

Family style can be just a bit messier!

Whether you choose to serve family style or buffet style is totally up to you. There is no wrong or right way to serve & eat a meal, am I right???

4. Consider the dishes, cutlery and stemware you might be using.

Before you start decorating in any way, set the table. Things you might want to include:

1. Chargers

2. Dinner plates

3. Silverware

4. Napkins

5. Wine glasses (for red, white or both!)

6. Water glasses

7. Butter dish

What you choose to put on the table is 100% up to you! You can make this as casual or as formal as you like. 

For the casual folks, I would recommend still setting the table before you decorate just to make sure there will be space for the dishes. Then just collect your plates and silverware for everyone to pick up when they get their food.

5. Take your time.

The beauty of decorating a table for Christmas dinner is that it doesn’t have to be set up at the last minute. You’re gonna be busy making a delicious meal, why worry about what the table is going to look like at the same time?

Set this up as early as you want. I’m talking about the week after Thanksgiving! You have plenty of time to create a beautiful table without the headache of feeling pressed for time.

You could even break this down into a couple of weeks to keep the workload manageable.

Whatever you have to do to decorate your table without going insane is awesome!

6. Don’t break the bank to decorate your table!

Have you ever heard the old photography adage, “The best camera is the one you have with you?”

That’s the case with this. You don’t need fancy Christmas dishes or enough decorations to cover a mansion. Start with what you have, ask around for extra decorations from family and maybe fill in a little at the end. I spent $6.50 on the cranberry and boxwood pieces.

If you do need to buy some things for your table, the dollar bins at craft stores and big box stores are a treasure trove for Christmas decor. But, start looking early! The decorations get pretty picked over in November so you’ll want to look early if you need (or want!) to buy some new decorations for your table.

7. A little homemade goes a long way!

There are a lot of things you could make to put on your table. Candles, napkins or even garland! I chose to make a table runner as a gift for my mom. It didn’t take me very long and completely changed the look of the table. Plus, it’s washable!

When it comes down to it, decorating a table for Christmas isn’t about having the most extravagant decorations or the most decorations. It’s about celebrating a season of family, Jesus and new beginnings. Celebrate the season with a beautiful table!