a simple, neutral holiday table setting
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Let’s be real for a second. This is not what my holiday table looks like this year. It’s actually not even my table; or even my house! But if I was able to host for Christmas, this is what my table would probably look like. And I wanted to provide some inspiration for those of you that can (and are going to) host for the holidays.
I love this table because it’s simple and elegant, but it can also be a template for someone that wants to do a little extra. I also love that this table will take you from the Christmas holidays to Easter brunch, to Thanksgiving. Just swap out the napkins for your preferred color, and change the trees to the more appropriate icon for the holiday. The white and green centerpiece is a perfect canvas. Besides, I’m a sucker for neutrals.
First, start with your table runner. This particular runner is from Target — you don’t need anything super fancy here because you are going to cover almost all of it. And I suggest using a neutral solid color, because you can always add color and dimension on top of it. Place your candlestick holders next. I like to wait and add the actual candles last so you don’t accidently topple one over.
Next, place half of your green garland. Again, Target for the win here — Magnolia Hearth & Hand has some really great eucalyptus. Before you place the other half, I suggest adding the alternative color garland you’d like to use (in this case, white berries). This allows you blend it in easier with the green garland. Don’t be afraid to twist and turn and bend the branches — they are made of wire for that reason! Place the last of your green eucalyptus on top and tuck it under some of the white berries.
The small votive candles and the end mini trees come last. Place a few candles all around the greenery, but be careful not to tuck them in too far — no one wants burnt polyester at their place setting. The trees can go on either end of the table; this adds some extra height as well.
Now that your centerpiece is done, we can move on to the place settings! If you want to use a charger or placemat, you’ll start with those. In this case, it felt too formal so I skipped them. I do love a good wood or woven charger though. Your dinner plates will go first, followed by the salad plate, then the napkin and topped with the soup bowl. If you aren’t serving soup, move the napkin under the salad plate and place a piece of garland or place card holder there instead. Note, you only need to set the table with pieces your guests will need to enjoy the meal.
Wine and/or water glasses will come next. Typically the water glass goes to the right of the plate, above the knife. I didn’t use any on this table only because we wouldn’t be serving water just kidding, just kidding. The wine glass should be set to the right of the water glass. Typically, they will go in the order in which they will be used. You can see here that I did not follow that — rules are meant to be broken, right?!
Last up is silverware. Same rule applies here — place them in the order they will be used, from the outside in. The spoon for soup, for example, will be used first, so that gets placed to the outside of the knife. The salad fork is going to be used before the dinner fork, so place that one to the outside.
Things to note — if you are serving bread, a bread plate will go above the forks to the left of the plate. You can place the bread knife on top of that plate as well. If you’re adding desert silverware, it will be placed horizontally, directly above the plate. And if you're adding place cards, they will be placed at all of your guests’ seats, but not your own.
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