Holiday Inspiration For Setting A Gorgeous, Elegant Christmas Table

Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine (if it’s that time) and get ready to peruse some serious Christmas eye candy. I had the privilege of attending a women’s Christmas holiday luncheon last weekend. Not only was the food and the company amazing and fun; it was also the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season and inspire me to set a beautiful table for the holidays.

Mad for plaid, a traditional table setting.

The table settings were out of this world beautiful! So many women with so much talent and creativity, all in one room…I just had to share the gorgeously beautiful table settings they created.

As I made my way around the room I had the pleasure of getting to talk with many of these creative ladies and I loved hearing all the wonderful stories behind their beautiful table scapes.

Many used the china and stemware they inherited from their mother or grandmother. Many others found their china at thrift stores or picked them up for just a few dollars at estate sales. One lady shared a story about when her daughter was young and tipped over an entire display of china in a department store. She ended up having to buy the entire display of dishes. She set her table with all the mismatched plates that survived the crash. She had one of the most unique and eclectic tables at the luncheon.

One thing I observed is that I’m not the only one that’s figured out that you don’t have to spend a fortune to set a beautiful holiday table. Pick a color scheme to unify everything. This allows you to mix a few of your more expensive treasured pieces with less expensive items and easily create a beautiful table. Picking a “theme” is also a great way to unify and pull everything together. Mixing it up instead of having everything match also creates beautiful and interesting table settings.

Each table started with a table draped in a plain black tablecloth. The black base provided the perfect backdrop that virtually disappears, and highlights the beautiful table scapes and allows the place settings to really shine.

Use Color to Create a Cohesive Look

This table is a great example of how the use of color can create a cohesive, pulled together look. Each place setting was a little different; individual tea cups and saucers, and different dinner and salad plates were used at each place setting. Layering red and gold with lots of shimmer pulled this look together to create a beautifully elegant table.

Thrift store china is beautiful and inexpensive.

A red and gold color scheme unifies the look.

Here is another table highlighting the beautiful use of red and gold to create a stunning holiday table.

Nothing says Christmas like the color red.

Red and gold are always a crowd favorite but they aren’t the only colors you can use to create a beautiful holiday table. Think outside the box to create a truly unique look.

Pink was used for this table scape. This color scheme is an unexpected choice and creates a truly unique, and beautiful holiday inspired table.

A china pattern typically used for spring or summer, can also work beautifully for the holidays.

The centerpiece picks up and repeats the pink in the place settings.

Placemats, holiday ornaments, and the napkin rings repeat the pink color scheme.

Silver and gold is another gorgeous color scheme for a holiday table. The shimmer and sparkle are a true show stopper.

I love the shimmer of this silver & gold centerpiece.

Notice the unexpected use of the star shaped ornaments in this centerpiece?

Blue isn’t considered a traditional color scheme either, but it creates a stunning color combination for another lovely holiday table.

An elegant look using a non-traditional color pallet.

Even the rim of the fine china picks up the blue theme.

Such a beautiful elegant look using non-traditional colors.

Use a Theme to Create a Cohesive Look

I think this table was my favorite! I adore the old world theme of this table. The use of fresh flowers and greenery in this centerpiece combined with the traditional holly patterned heirloom china on the table creates a traditional old world look. The red roses are an unexpected flower for a holiday table but they work beautifully to create an abundant lush look and provide a lovely pop of holiday color.

A soup tureen used as a vase for a fresh flower arrangement is a brilliant idea!

Angels are always a beautiful addition to a Christmas themed table. The simple clean lines and crisp white color scheme on this table create a stunning, elegant look.

This rustic, nature inspired table really spoke to me. I love, love, love, how the pops from the red accents are a bright highlight against the soft understated, neutral colors and give this nature inspired theme a festive holiday vibe.

The burlap covered vase tied with jute twine adds lovely texture to the setting.

Here is another nature inspired holiday interpretation, this time using a more subdued color pallet to pull the look together.

Did you notice the bottom of the goblets dipped in gold?

The gold accents add a lovely elegance to this more rustic themed table.

Lighted snow globe lanterns were used in this centerpiece to create a Charles Dickens inspired look.

This centerpiece looked stunning once the overhead lights were turned down.

A traditional red and green color pallet.

Buffalo plaid napkins add an updated contemporary touch to a more traditional theme.

This fun, whimsical, snowman themed centerpiece brought a smile to everyone’s face. A glass cylinder vase from the Dollar Tree filled with a sprig of pine greenery and a strand of fairy lights adds inexpensive shimmer to this fun centerpiece.

Candy canes in a bowl add an inexpensive touch of color.

A plaid placement sets the color scheme for the entire table.

Adorable! How can you not smile when sitting at this table?

It wouldn’t be a holiday luncheon if Santa didn’t made an appearance!

A Christmas village centerpiece on a red tablerunner featuring old St. Nick.

Notice the mugs wearing a sweater and plaid scarf?

A beautiful table using a traditional Christmas color pallet.

Notice the napkins folded into the shape of a Christmas tree on each plate?

Adding some height to the table with a tiered tray adds interest.

A few more images using simple touches to create a holiday table and inspire you.

Weaving red ribbon onto a white cake plate adds a festive holiday touch to an everyday item.

A few ornaments scattered on a platter add a lovely punch of color for just a few pennies.

Bottle brush trees in the centerpiece repeat the Christmas tree theme.

Does all of this seem a bit intimidating? Are you just not sure of where to start? Check out this blog post, Easy Formula For Setting An Elegant Easter Table that breaks it all down, step by step, how to easily create a beautiful holiday table. Use the same formula to create a Thanksgiving table, an Easter table, a Christmas table or festive New Year’s Eve table. It works for any time you celebrate a special event in your life, host a dinner, and want set a beautiful table for the occasion.

Hopefully all these gorgeous table scape images inspire you to set your own beautiful table this holiday season. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to set a beautiful elegant holiday table. Start by using what you have, pick a theme, and stick to a tight color pallet. Remember, not everything has to match. It’s ok to mix expensive heirlooms with less expensive items. Use lots of layers to create a luxurious look and don’t forget to add the sparkle factor!

Did You Get Inspired?

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For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Remember…Jesus ❤️’s you!

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