Simple Holiday Tablescape Ideas

I love going over to my friend's house for the holidays because he sets the table elaboratly. The photo above is from his Thanksgiving dinner party. He had silver ribbons on the chairs that matched crystal candelabras and silver evergreens on the table. 

However, it made me think about other what else because be done to decorate the table...without the expensive crystal. So I did some research online for table settings that were simple yet expressive of holiday spirit.

Here are some ideas I found online that I really liked – simple yet it still invokes the holiday spirit:

I like this decor for it's simplicity. According to Good Housekeeping, this merely just some cut greens formed to create a wreath. The name cards are written on cut-up cardboard. Both can be found at a local craft shop like AC Moore, Joann's or Michaels. For more ideas from Good Housekeeping, click here. 

This is another easy idea! Even though you may not have a burlap napkin (not all of us do), I like the simplicity of a candy cane and evergreen twigs tied up with packaging string. More ideas can be found at A Crafty Box, here.

The reason I like this set up is because of the use of one element - a tree ornament or bells. Having a white tablecloth and white napkins gives a snowy look while the pop of color from the glasses and the silver berries make it festive. With using white as a backdrop, I would also suggest adding random, colorful tree ornaments spread on the table. Or put one on each person's plate with their name on a white index card. Nazmiyal Rugs posted some great ideas for that "Winter Wonderland" look which can be found here. 

Christmas crackers, like the one pictured above, are a traditional favorite in England. I like these because they are socially engaging. I take one side and ask someone to take the other, and then we pull at the same time. The cracker "cracks" (meaning it makes a crackling sound) and inside there are little gifts, as well as a paper crown and a joke or riddle. I've seen these sold at Sur La Table and William and Sonama, but you can find them on Amazon or your local department store. Simply place this on the plate. Done! To make your own crackers, check out Lilacs and Longhorn's DIY crackers, here.  

I wish you all a happy holiday season and a happy new year!

~T~