See My Simple Winter Table Setting

Hands-down at this time of the year it’s the dressing up of the house, tree, parcels and going to town in the kitchen that I love the most. Way more than the Christmas parties, drinks gatherings and nights out. I just find hunkering down at home with the log burner lit, glass of vino and cosy sheepskin skippers on, way more appealing. Being able to spend a heap of time planning and crafting my way around the dining table, tree and present wrapping process – making the home cosier than ever – is so much fun. Plus, when friends and family come to visit and comment on all the effort that’s gone into things, it makes the whole process worth it.

As Christmas is all about the sharing and caring, I’ve rounded up the interiors finds putting the jolly into my 2017 festive decor strategy, plus some new in products I have my eye on. These delights will ensure you bring your table A-game, but there’s plenty that can be achieved with a few simple pieces foraged from the great outdoors too. I rescued these pinecones from a local park, and the blue spruce sprigs were from broken Christmas tree branches at a local farm when we picked up our tree. Didn’t cost a penny! It’s definitely the time to get creative.

Festive Decor Inspo

Start With A Statement Cracker

The key here is to not add too many elements onto the plate. As my dinner plates have a marble pattern, a feature on the table in itself, I like to leave as much of the swirling grey and white on show as possible. But of course, every Christmas table needs some seasonal magic, and I fell hard for these stunning Jigsaw x Rococo crackers the moment I spied them. Jigsaw has teamed up with the famed London chocolatiers for a stunning Christmas collaboration this season, there’s pyjamas, wash bags, purses and limited edition artisan choc boxes on offer. See how I’ve styled the giant golden coin purse with a jumbo ruffle jumper when we picked up our Christmas tree.

Then Add Some Festive Forest Magic

You really don’t have to spend a fortune on your table setting at any time of the year. Just look to the seasons and what’s going on outside at that time. For Christmas, woodland additions like rustic pinecones and icy blue spruce sprigs work a treat. But the same goes for the rest of the year – Easter calls for solo daffodil stems or bunches of rosemary on the table when you serve up the spring lamb. I picked up these treasures on days out and walks in the local parks. The red and white candy cane striped string, tied into a bow, adds a much needed shot of colour and some holiday cheer.

Invest In Hardworking Linen Cutlery and Glassware

Spending a little more on quality linens, cutlery and glassware pays off. Endless throwing in the dishwasher, accidental floor falls and leaving in the warming drawer for hours on end (when the wine keeps flowing and you all forget about the main event!) calls for hardworking table foundations. But that doesn’t necessarily mean splashing hundreds on a huge collection you’ll soon grow tired of, especially, if like me, you like to change up the finishes and patterns to go with changing tastes and trends. I can’t get enough of Zara Home, Anthropologie, West Elm and Neptune, for great quality and fairly priced home decors. My linen napkins, wine glasses and gold cutlery are all Zara Home. While I couldn’t resist Cath Kidston’s kitsch Merry Christmas champagne flutes – these make me so happy and will become a yearly tradition for drinking fizz over the holidays. The marble crockery was a real find at Marks and Spencer, there’s a similar set at independent Surrey store Azalee.

Christmas table setting7

So all that’s left to say is have a very Merry Christmas! I hope that you all get some time to slow down a little and enjoy the small festive rituals that make the holidays at home so special.

You’ll can find more inspo for table place settings right this way.