The Festive Table

For Christmas Eve, transform your tablescape into a true feast for the senses with accents and items from Allhome

Whenever Christmas and the New Year roll around, many Filipino households practice the season’s traditions. They decorate their dining rooms into vividly coloured spaces, usually featuring the signature reds and greens of the yuletide season, centrepieces out of seasonal fruits, and bringing out heirloom dinnerware that has been passed down from previous generations. But then again, there is nothing to stop you from putting a modern twist to your celebration.

Here are a few tips on how to transform and personalise your tablescapes and place settings for a truly memorable feast:

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

For a table that combines the richness of tradition with au courant accents, pair heirloom cutlery or porcelain with more contemporary pieces such as drinking glasses and pitchers with an eclectic design or beautiful linens in a complementary pattern. You will achieve an eclectic spread that is elegant but not intimidating and certainly warmer and more welcoming.

COLOUR PLAY

It’s easy to get carried away with brilliant red and verdant green, but we recommend using these as accent colours as opposed to dominant hues. Consider setting your table with a pure white tablecloth accented with boldly coloured holiday-themed placemats, napkins and coasters. Tinted glasses or cobalt blue glasses also provide a good contrast, though you may want to go the subtle route and feature plates, cups and saucers in softer pastel shades.

RIGHT IN THE CENTRE

Creating an engaging centrepiece can be a challenge, but you can get a good-sized serving tray and artfully fill it with natural elements such as seasonal greenery and flowers or even fresh fruits and chestnuts. Alternatively, you can also create a decadent centrepiece featuring tiered trays filled with an assortment of sweets and pastry or surround a chocolate fountain with small varicoloured plates filled with fixings for fondue.

ADD A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR

Even the simplest celebrations at home are a reason to spoil yourself and your loved ones a little. Good crystal and porcelain go a long way in transforming even the simplest feasts into grander celebrations. Also, consider pairing a good wine with the meal.

For all your homeware and decorative needs, Allhome’s doors are open for you. Here, you can shop for an extensive selection of home accents, dinnerware and even furniture to transform your home into a comfortable space that captures your unique personality— even after the holidays are over.

For a safer and more convenient way to shop, log on to the Allhome website at www.allhome.com.ph