You’ve baked the fruitcake, mashed the potatoes and carved the turkey. Now what?
It’s time to set your Christmas table, a task that can come across as Herculean and daunting, but really is all about small festive touches to accent the delicious fresh food you’ve slaved over in the kitchen. We asked Therese Moussa, the head stylist at beloved Sydney, Australia, restaurant The Grounds, for her tips on decorating your table this Christmas.
Consider your color palette
“I love creating a more traditional Christmas look,” Moussa says, “with tones of green and red, accented with pops of metal hardware and embellishments.”
You can’t go wrong with festive red and green, but don’t be afraid to clash patterns (like different shades of tartan) or adding texture with varying prints and tones. “Ensure everything ties together seamlessly by being mindful of your color palette each step of the way,” Moussa adds.
Start from the bottom
Before you get to work on styling your table, take into account the table itself. If it is a beautiful, weathered raw timber, consider leaving it bare to “add character” to your display, Moussa says. Alternatively, you can try dressing the center of the table “only with a table runner,” which creates the perfect base to “build a magical centrepiece on top.”
Get set
Choosing table settings is important at Christmas. “For plateware, if you opt for something plain, look for an accent detail with a festive pattern on the rim,” Moussa suggests. Intricate details on the handles of your cutlery will add detail to your setting, as will using mixed -metal knives and forks. “I particularly love using matte copper cutlery as an accent,” Moussa says.
When it comes to glassware, more is more, according to Moussa. Using multiple sets – water, wine and champagne glasses – creates “a beautiful, abundant look and brings warm light reflections to the table,” for an atmospheric touch.
Time for flowers
Moussa has a few different suggestions for centerpieces. “I love trailing foliage with ivy, pine or asparagus fern down the center of the table,” she says. It’s inexpensive but still feels abundant. A word of warning: Beware of holly. Even though it’s festive and traditional, “it can be spiky, so opt for softer foliage” lest you wish to poke your guests.
Some DIY metallic branches, sprayed gold or silver in your backyard, is another simple centrepiece suggestion. As are clusters of Christmas ornaments and baubles, arranged on vintage trays or vases that can be quickly removed when the meal is served.
Finishing touches
The perfect Christmas table is all about the add-ons, Moussa says. Don’t forget Christmas crackers, handwritten place cards and festive elements, like cinnamon quills or rosemary sprigs with each napkin.
“It’s all about the attention to detail with those few special touches that make each table-setting feel special,” Moussa says.