Setting your Holiday Table

When it comes to setting your holiday table, my advice is to begin the same way that I advise beginning ANY decorating project - ask yourself questions. Determine your table needs for the holiday season, then create your plan. Is it just for show? Will you use the table for entertaining guests? How many and how often? How much work do you intend for each set of guests? Here is some inspiration to suit some different holiday needs.

If you intend to use your table for formal dining, large centerpieces can make both conversation ans food flow and problem. Another idea to bring the feeling and height of a centerpiece, without disrupting conversation - hang ornaments from the chandelier or ceiling. I recently designed this table for a client that has multiple holiday parties and wanted a high-impact, low-maintenance table. For more information on Beautiful Habitat services, visit beautifulhabitat.com


Greenery and florals are always a beautiful addition to the table. This arrangement is from the Nov/Dec edition of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine.

However, if you will be entertaining throughout the holiday season, florals and greenery will require frequent replacing. In that case, I suggest using candles and/or other collections of items that will last with little or no maintenance. Or let your dish ware and glassware do the shining with some so many holiday options out there. Here, the coordinating holly theme and colors pull the look together.

And, if your table will be just for "show", go all out with it. Here's some over-the-top inspiration from HGTV.