FESTIVE TABLES
Surprise touches for settings
Great food and drinks are an essential element of any dinner party.
But, if you’re looking to ensure your holiday fete is a step above the rest, you’re going to want to put a bit of extra effort into the table setting. No one wants a basic holiday dinner, after all.
“You want to add some unexpected theatrical elements to the table,” says Stephen Michlits, trend and design direction lead with the Home Collection at Real Canadian Superstore.
And the easiest way to do that is by going green. While classic Christmas red will always be a popular option for holiday decor, this year, the colour schemes are cooler than usual.
“Blue has been an emerging colour for several years now,” he says. “This year, we’ve updated it to be a play on more navy and gold. We’re calling it Midnight Wish. And the other exciting colour trend is … green.”
Rather than the typical Kelly green we’ve long associated with the holiday season, Michlits says this season’s greens are softer and even a bit frosted. “That classic Kelly green with red is now better saved for a kids’ Christmas,” he explains. “We’ve brought in a more subtle sage green that feels fresh and new. And we’re tying it into golds and silvers instead of red to create a very mature, sophisticated look.”
So, how do you add green to your holiday party? “Adding some greenery to the table is a great way to do it,” he says. “Especially if the greenery is accented with any type of holiday bulbs, lights or glitter. Those added elements add some drama and sparkle.”
To create the look at home without too much effort, consider picking up some leafy branches of eucalyptus and placing them along the centre of the table. Then, accent the greenery with glass bowls or jars filled with strings of tiny micro-lights. The effect is sure to feel like an instant winter wonderland.
Feeling lazy? Opt for one or two (depending on the size of your table) pre-decorated wreathes placed in the centre. Serve dishes on an elevated stand to ensure the decoration doesn’t eat up too much table space.
To add glitz and glamour, layer in metallic elements such as oversized placemats, gilded plates and cutlery. Michlits suggests mixing metals to up the style factor even further by alternating hues such as gold and silver-rimmed glasses.
“You can swap gold for silver on an otherwise silver setting … it becomes a completely different look,” he says. “Silver can be a little bit more casual, while gold is a little more luxe.”
As is often the case during the holidays, when it comes to decor — the more the merrier. Looking to wow your guests? Consider setting the table in a way that celebrates each guest individually.
“Another fun idea when you’re hosting a dinner is to add some personalization for your guests,” Michlits says. “A monogram candle or a zodiac candle — which takes a little bit more planning to figure out — looks impressive at every place setting.”
The personalized approach works to organize the seating of guests, offers a surprise when they go to take their seats, and gives them something to take home at the end of the night.
Consider picking ornaments for each party guest and placing them at their seat for a quick-and-cute option they can use in their own homes.