Finishing Touches For A Festive Table
Wednesday 19th December 2007 by Georgie Coleridge Cole
If you’re hosting Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve or indeed any other social event in the days ahead the chances are you’re under scrutiny; under the scrutiny of those domestic goddesses who appear to do it all so effortlessly. So we’ve come up with some simple festive finishing touches that’ll have your halo shining and your ideas the talk of the table in no time.
If time is of the essence, don’t waste it on the sitting room – the tree and the abundance of presents surrounding it will take centre stage. Simply scatter the room with candles in varying sizes, keep lighting low, pop some carols on and you’re sorted. For a touch of the wow factor follow Lynda’s advice
 . Take bundles of ivy, entwine it with a stream of white fairy lights and attach it to the mantelpiece or radiator case.
First impressions are everything. So when your guests move through to the kitchen or dining room you want to knock them dead, not only with the smell of turkey wafting from the aga but also with the sight of a beautiful table. It’s the focal point of the festive traditions.
 Aside from the table centre, the first thing they’ll see is the back of your dining chairs so do something here. Hanging hearts  are aplenty from country cottage style retailers and they’re the perfect accessory to add a touch of festivity to a dining chair.
Thread a strip of ribbon through the loop that you’d use to hang them and tie the hearts with a big bow on the back of your chairs a la Aspen & Brown . Or, if hearts are off the menu, a sprig of holly tied together with ribbon will do just as nicely.
 And if you’re catering for the masses then an old school luggage label or present label tied with the ribbon to the back of chairs looks great and makes life easy too. Natural pine cones holding hand written name place cards is another attractive option or Vivi‘s robin place settings will add an elegant touch.
Dining in a traditional / shaker / country style kitchen and/or around a big farm house table? A table runner down the centre of your table is the perfect platform for candles and decorations.
 A quick and easy way to add a touch of festivity to your white napkins is to create your own napkins rings or ties. Again a piece of festive ribbon tied around them with a sprig of holly tucked in looks lovely.
Dining as opposed to lunching? Thinking New Years Eve? Scatter the table with gold stars . Talking tables is the place for all your table needs. Party poppers are a must but if you’re sticking to a strict colour scheme then try and find them in plain coloured cases or keep them hidden until pudding!
 (And if silver’s your theme then the White Company have a fun range of table decorations .)
If you’re keen to fill the space on a vast dining table then clustered church candles (again with ribbon tied around their middles) and a couple of bowls filled with sweeties in dreamy wrappers will have eyes on them with immediate effect! Lindt’s Lindor add the perfect, not to mention yummy, festive touch!
And finally if you’re passing dishes of vegetables and trimmings around the table, add a sprig of holly to the corner.
So there you have it. Some simple festive touches to impress the least impressionable of your guests. |
