Dress to impress
Discover how to dress your Christmas dinner table with style. We share quick and easy tips for place settings, centrepieces and nishing touches for the feast.
The presents are wrapped, the turkey’s in the fridge and the Christmas pudding is ready to be sliced. Now it’s time to think about setting the table and dressing it with decorations. Getting organised and planning a few nal ourishes can make all the di erence to your stress levels as you get ready to serve up.
Plan which dishes to use
Make a list of all the dishes you will be serving on the big day. On Christmas Eve, get out all of your big serving dishes and mark each one with a post-it note for what you will serve on each one. This way, you won’t be hunting around for the gravy boat come dinner time.
Plate your starter in advance
With your oven full and hob space limited, it’s a good idea to choose a cold starter, which can be prepared in advance. A sharing platter of seafood, cold meats, paté or a terrine are all great options – try potted shrimp, crab cups or ham hock terrine. Place them on a big wooden board in the middle of the table and let everyone tuck in.
Borrow extra tables and cover with cloth
If you’re hosting a big get-together but your dining table only seats four, create space by borrowing extra tables of the same height. Once the tables are covered with a tablecloth and dressed for dinner, your guests will never know you’ve had to do a patch job.
Choose a theme
Theme your table for a dramatic e ect. Start by matching the colours to your dining room or other decorations. Use a simple tablecloth with a decorative table runner to create a central focus point. For a vintage theme, look out for dramatic candelabras, lace napkins and antique napkin holders.
Choose centrepieces carefully
Your centrepiece will be the focus of the table, but you don’t want it to use up valuable space. Pick candelabras or vases with narrow bases so you can still see across the table and have plenty of space for the food.
Set up a DIY drinks bar
Set up a small table or sideboard as a bar close to your dining table. Make sure you have a selection of drinks, glasses, ice and spare napkins so you don’t have to leave the table to fetch extra refreshments.