A Minimas table doesn’t mean minimalist, by Kelly Hoppen
We’ve all been programmed into having minimalist christmases. But this year I think it’s important to go for it. Tinsel yourself into the stratosphere! and don’t feel you have to scale back if it’s just a few, or even the two of you — the more on the table the merrier . . .
Fairy light magic
PLACING little battery-powered fairy lights (such as copper wire Led string lights, £14.95, graham andgreen.co.uk) in a clear glass vase on the table creates a cosy, intimate yet celebratory mood. Or, wrap f airy l i ghts around a wreath. There’s something magical about a room that is lit by fairy lights or candles alone (K by Kelly hoppen Signature Scent candle, £24, qvcuk.com).
Faux leaves last
SO many people are starting
Christmas early this year, and a faux wreath to decorate your table won’t look tired by the big day. I love a garland the length of a rectangular table, or a circular wreath if a table is round. If you prefer a natural one, as well as fir woods, eucalyptus is a great option because it dries well and lasts. (Try a festive garland from fresh foliage including pine and eucalyptus, £80, grapeandfig.com or faux succulent and eucal y ptus wreath, £45, coxandcox.co.uk).
Dip into Quality Street
IF YOUNG children are joining you, get them to help you spray branches in silver or gold to place underneath the table wreath. You can also buy freeze-dried flowers, sprayed in gold or silver, such as a palm spear gold stem (£ 3.99, daisyshop.co.uk). Make the table look fabulous with big bowls of Quality Street — the beauty of Christmas is that you can be as kitsch as you want and it’ s still stylish. I wouldn’t bother with a tablecloth—it’ s just another thing to worry about — but you could add little candles, too.
Colourful china
PLAN your decoration around what you’ve got. I’d use plain china, and mix in odd glasses in different colours. nothing has to match. I wouldn’t buy a whole new crockery set, but a new charger (service plate with gold leaf, £5.99, zarahome.com) will change the look of the table. Zara also has wonderful napkins at the moment, whether you want linens and creams, or more Christmassy colours ( 20 reusable paper napkins, £15.99, zarahome.com). napkin holders are fun (sleigh bells napkin holders pack of four, £15.99, zarahome.com) and runners can make any table elegant (single stag table runner, £12.99, wayfair.co.uk).
Match table to tree
IF YOUR table is in the same room as your tree, coordinate the colour scheme so they work together — maybe add one more colour for the table. If you had white and silver and added purple, that would look beautiful, as would red and gold with white. There will also be loads of decorations from my grandson.
If you only make it look stylised so other people think it looks nice, that’s not a real Christmas is it?
The K by Kelly hoppen home collection is available exclusively at qvcuk.com