Christmas table ideas

‘Tis the most wonderful time of the year. Forget the pressies and mince pies for a mo, it’s also the season of show-stopping tablescapes. Ooh (fa) la la. Whether you’re a first-time host or a seasoned pro that could give Martha Stewart a run for her money, our Christmas elves have been working around the clock to bring you Christmas table ideas galore. From nailing the lighting to space-saving tablescape hacks for elves short on dining space, buckle up, as Santa’s about to take you on a dashing tour of Christmas table ideas…


Christmas table themes

If there’s one time of year you can truly go to town with your table decor, it’s Christmastime. From the pre-Christmas Day evenings spent hosting friends, to the big day itself (and beyond), your dining table’s sure to see a lot of activity over the Christmas period, so making sure your Christmas table setting theme is nailed beforehand is a must. From classic to modern and everything in between, it's easy to get your tinsel in a tangle when deciding on a Christmas tablescape, so allow our little elves to assist you with some Christmas table theme inspiration below…

  1. 1. 90s Nostalgia: Stick to a colour palette of red, green and gold, and borrow your mum’s old Christmas crockery for that nostalgic feel. Avoid uniformity and mix and match your plates for a homely Christmas table setting that’ll make your guests feel all warm and fuzzy.

  2. 2. Icy Wonderland: Who needs real snow when you can bring a white Christmas to your Christmas tablescape instead? Stick to a white, silver and blue colour palette and opt for snow-dusted garlands, silver cutlery and crystal-clear glassware for some premium finishing touches.

  3. 3. A Colourful Crimbo: This one’s for the maximalists. The ones who don’t like sticking to a colour scheme. Good job we’re the home of TK Maxx-imalist Christmas decor then, isn’t it? For this theme, anything goes, so stock up on all the novelty Christmas decor, mix and match colourful crockery and glassware, and utilise candy canes as gap-fillers on your Christmas table setting.

  5. 4. Winter Woodland: If you’re a neutral queen, then a rustic woodland tablescape theme is the Christmas theme for you. Team natural elements with muted beige crockery and weave pinecones and mistletoe into any gaps in your tablescape. Handwritten place names are also a sweet touch.

Classic Christmas table settings


A classic Christmas table setting is utterly timeless, evoking feelings of festive nostalgia. To achieve this nostalgic magic, opt for a red, green and gold colour palette with splashes of tartan.

Modern Christmas table settings


If your Christmas decor screams ‘eclectic’, then a classic Christmas table setting probably isn’t the setting for you. Christmas to the Maxx and go crazy with colour and novelty decorations galore.


Christmas table settings for small gatherings

We're not all blessed with those 12-seater dining tables you see in all the Hallmark movies, so for those working with small dining tables or hosting spaces, look no further. First things first, forget the bells and whistles and focus on the non-negotiables. Cutlery and a drinking glass for each guest is a must , an extravagant centrepiece is not. Stripping your Christmas table setting back doesn't mean sacrificing decor or style, it just means being a little savvier with your choices.


We break it down for you below...

  • - Forget ‘family style’ dishing up in the centre of the table – pre-dish up each guest’s plate in the kitchen before serving it to the table
  • - Ditch the centrepiece (we’re looking at you, wreath) and opt for taller, space-saving decor like candlesticks and mini Christmas trees
  • - Keep bottles/carafes off the table and opt for a drinks trolley you can park up next to the table to save on precious table space
  • - Place each guest’s napkin and place card on top of their plate, rather than on the table to avoid overcrowding it
  • - If your Christmas table setup’s lacking decor, try decorating each guest’s chair instead – use bows, wreaths or blankets

Christmas table lighting ideas



When it comes to Christmas lighting when hosting, the one and only rule is... never ever use the big light. Ever. Now that's cleared up, let's talk about Christmas lighting ideas yule love. When prepping for the ultimate Christmas table setup at home, the most important element is arguably lighting. There's no point having the tablescape of dreams if it's being overshadowed by a stark white overhead light blinding your guests. Instead of big lights, lean on candlelight and softer, more ambient lighting such as table and floor lamps.


How to set up your Christmas table

There's so much joy to be found in elevating your Christmas table setup when hosting Christmas for your family. Whether you're a cooking pro or a nervous novice, who cares when you've sleighed the Christmas table setting and have blown your guests away with your fancy-pants place names and candlesticks galore? Not us.

Creating a successful Christmas table setup at home doesn't mean forking out a load on an OTT centrepiece you're never going to use again, so don't get your tinsel in a tangle. At TK, we're all about reusing and repurposing so stick with us as we explain how to create a successful Christmas table setup at home...

  • - Start by covering your table with a tablecloth or runner
  • - Now for the centrepiece. This could be a trio of festive candlesticks or a Christmassy wreath/decoration you’ve borrowed from another room. Working with a big table? Scatter baubles and candlesticks down the length of the table to break up the crockery
  • - Now for placemats - place them with an equal distance apart
  • - Same goes for cutlery - placement is everything
  • - Now’s the time to add in napkins, napkin rings (if you’re feeling fancy) and place names so everyone knows where they’re sitting
  • - For the ultimate Christmas tablescape finishing touch, drape a blanket over the back of each chair for added cosiness
  • - Light your candlesticks just before the guests arrive, et voilà, you’re all set to host the festive feast of Christmas dreams…


Christmas table decor sorted, now it’s time to make sure the rest of your home is set to ho ho host…

Keeping your guests entertained while making sure the pigs in blankets don’t burn requires some precision planning. So, to give you one less thing to think about, we’ve come up with a little checklist so you can make sure every corner of your home is guest-ready this festive season.

For helping you cook and host like a boss…

It’s all well and good having the Christmas tablescape of Pinterest dreams, but if the food’s not up to par, there’s only so much distracting an extravagant centrepiece can do! Keeping calm and collected in the kitchen is easy when you’ve got the right tools – AKA top-quality bakeware and kitchen kit that elevates even the most basic of culinary skills. Stock up on the below items and you’ll soon be all set to serve those tasty Christmas recipes.

For when the guests don't want to go home...

Whether your guest of honour (your bestie) has pre-booked their bed for the night in your guest room or you end up unexpectedly lumbered with a guest that’s overstayed their welcome (let’s blame the eggnog, shall we?), make sure you’re never caught off guard with unwashed sheets or an unmade blow-up bed this festive period. Spoil your guests silly and stock up on hotel-worthy bedding from yours truly and save yourself up to 60%*, meaning more dosh to splash on the fancy cheeses.

For when the dinner turns into drinks...

You know those dinners that spill out from the dining room into the living room and before you know it, eight hours have passed and all your guests are snuggled up under blankets putting the world to rights with a cuppa in hand? There's nothing quite like it – especially during the festive period. Make sure your living room’s equipped for such a night with cosy blankets, Christmas-scented candles and a board game or two for when your guests are up for a bit of (un)healthy competitiveness.