Ideas for Simple Christmas Place Settings

Back at the beginning of November, I discussed simple Thanksgiving place settings. We’re now at the end of November, and our thoughts are filled with Christmas. Have you put your tree up yet? Many of us start decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, there are many types of get togethers including a brunch with friends, an afternoon tea, a holiday party, Christmas dinner, and New Year’s Eve. If you are having guests for Christmas dinner or a party, you’re probably in the planning mode now. Deciding on the menu and dividing up the dishes among us is what happens in my family. Who brings what.

Putting together a holiday tablescape is something I usually enjoy. I love mixing and matching items I already have to create a new look. I have a small collection of vintage items with some dollar store and thrift store finds to help create a unique Christmas tablescape. This year I want a simple yet festive table. Really the main emphasis should be your family and friends enjoying favorite seasonal dishes together.

Your place settings can be extremely simple or more complicated. Red and green are the traditional Christmas colors, but I think red is the most popular color for Christmas decorations. For a fun place setting make a Christmas tree from your napkin. Red or green look great in tree folds. House Beautiful has complete step-by-step directions.

If you have china with a Christmas or wintery theme, you are all set. You can easily change the tablecloth and napkins if you want a new look. If you have a look you love with a special tablecloth, then just add different flowers and greenery each year for the centerpiece. I believe greenery makes everything better during the holidays. I cut small branches from my Hawthorne bushes to decorate. Even though I’m living in warm Florida, evergreens make my small home look like Christmas.

As we discussed for Thanksgiving, modern life is more relaxed than 50 years ago. Let’s look at a few simple and bright holiday place settings .

White Plates

A set of white or off-white plates makes having a pretty table for any holiday or season easy. You can use your plain white china in layers and add a Christmas tag on top. Note the greenery in the middle of the table with candles and pomegranates.

Another approach is adding an ornament on top of the white china. Again the center of the table is filled with fresh greenery and white and silver ornaments.

The Pink Dream‘s sophisticated table is all white with gold accents and evergreen cuttings in the center of the table..

One of my favorite ways to make a cute place setting is to buy vintage or inexpensive saucers or bowls to place on top of my white china. Add a pop of red for a festive red and white Christmas table. Below Simply 2 Moms added greenery, candles, and ornaments to the center table runner. The plate is topped with a red and white salad plate with the white napkin tied with a red bow and fresh greenery.

Back several years ago, I did a gold and white table using my few inherited china pieces from my grandmother. I placed a small bowl of white and gold on top of a saucer with my white china. It’s a more Asian feel in the china design but it was sparkly and bright for Christmas or New Year’s Eve with gold chargers.

I am in love with the Woodland Christmas table from Life on Virginia Street. Simple place settings of small fir trees with white plates on a wooden table are easy and so sophisticated. One larger tree in the center of the table sits on a wood slice. I think less is definitely more in this case.

Holiday Dish Motifs: Snowman, Santa, Reindeer or Christmas Tree

At thrift stores, I look for china pieces with cute Christmas designs. I love a snowman motif and have done several snowman tables. The first year I blogged I found a few snowman bowls in red and white. I used them with vintage cranberry plates and vintage off-white salad plates. That was fun!

The next year I found snowman plates. I added green place mats with red, white, and green thrift store mugs. The centerpiece was a red poinsettia.

A couple of years ago I found a full set of 4 small snowman salad plates which I love!

There are lots of inexpensive sets of saucers or salad plates with cute Christmas motifs.

Yellow Bliss Road’s old fashioned Santa table is adorable.

For a fun holiday feel, add inexpensive paper napkins or saucers to your plates.

I bought paper saucers and napkins from Hobby Lobby with 60 percent off last week. I chose the fun holiday truck design. It looks good on white, black, and red plates. I’m using the saucers for lunch for the next few weeks. It puts me in a holiday mood with all the plaid. I tried each color on 3 chargers: a wood slice, a silver charger, and a gold charger. They all looked nice but I must admit I’m partial to silver.

I’m wishing you a beautiful December filled with warm memories.

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