Get ready for a magical dinner with these creative Christmas table setting ideas. Whether you’re looking for DIY placeholders, napkin arranging tips or ways to style your Christmas table, we’ve got plenty of ideas to make your festive table sparkle.
Many of these ideas are inexpensive to make, so they’re suitable for every budget. You may already have the materials you need at home. Make your table look spectacular this December and wait for the compliments to roll in!
30 exciting Christmas table setting ideas
1. Christmas napkins with iron-on printables
This iron-on design from abeautifulmess.com is an adorable way to give your napkins a fresh new look. Download the free printable and print it onto transfer paper before ironing it onto your napkins.
2. Yarn-wrapped candy canes
Dress up your table with this sweet yarn-wrapped candy canes Christmas table idea from hobbycraft.co.uk. They’re a cute way to decorate your table this Christmas.
If you enjoy making them, you could make a few extras to hang on your Christmas tree.
3. Mini air plant place card holder
Make sure everyone knows where they’re sitting with these mini air plant place card holders from lovelyindeed.com.
They’re perfect for minimalist Christmas table settings, as they’re both simple and elegant.
4. Polar blue Christmas aesthetic
Choosing your Christmas table theme can help to tie all of your decorations together.
Sugarandcloth.com has lots of beautiful Christmas table setting ideas to imitate, but we particularly love this subtle Polar blue Christmas aesthetic. It would be easy to recreate with some carefully chosen plates and accessories.
5. Christmas table setting styling tips
Creating a spectacular Christmas table setting is all in the styling.
Sometimes a small touch like adding an ornament onto your plates can elevate the overall look, as inspiredbycharm.com has done here.
6. Rosemary wreath place cards
These cute little rosemary wreath place cards from homemadelovely.com add a dash of festive style to any Christmas table.
The rosemary wreaths are held together with a rustic twine bow and a personalised place card completes the look.
7. Resin coasters
Get the party started by making your own sparkling resin coasters using this tutorial from clubcrafted.com.
They’ve used sequins to create their own glittering coasters, but you could add beads, confetti or anything else you fancy!
8. Fabric peppermints
Looking for creative ways to style your napkins? This delightful fabric peppermints idea from countryliving.com is an easy way to turn your napkins into a unique decoration for your Christmas table.
9. Christmas star place holders
If you’re a skilled sewer, whip up a batch of mini star place holders to make your Christmas table settings shine. Learn how to sew place holders with Gathered.
10. Macrame cracker decorations
Give your Christmas crackers a handmade twist with this macrame cracker decorations tutorial from hobbycraft.com.
This project is ideal for anyone new to macrame, as it only uses one knotting technique. Check out our library of macrame knots for helpful tips if you get stuck.
Top tip: Use masking tape to protect the surfaces next to your tiles – or the newly painted tiles themselves if you decide to re-grout.
Go for an all-over shade for a clean and crisp look, or try out some creative effects. We've shared some of our favourites below!
11. Leaf motifs
Mistletoe is a traditional Christmas decoration, but it’s not always easy to find. However, the good news is that it’s simple to make your own!
This leaf motif plate decoration from marthastewart.com can be made using crepe paper, wire, ribbon and foil-wrapped chocolates.
12. Christmas napkin folding ideas
Napkin folding is a quick and easy way to make your Christmas table settings look extra special. There are so many creative ways to fold your napkins, from Christmas trees to adorable elf hats.
Explore Gathered’s Christmas napkin folding ideas and start creating fabulous festive folds.
13. Cranberry wreath place cards
Thread fresh berries onto wire hoops to make jewel-bright cranberry wreath place cards from sayyes.com.
Use Christmas tree cuttings for the top of the wreaths and finish the place cards with tags cut from brown kraft paper.
14. Natural Christmas decorations
Looking for Christmas table setting ideas inspired by the natural world?
Use this natural Christmas decorations guide by Becki Clark to make gilded pear place card holders, hand-dyed napkins and sage napkin rings.
15. Christmas tree name cards
Add a fun finish to your table with these quirky Christmas tree name cards from ohhappyday.com.
This is a fantastic Christmas table decoration to make if you want your theme to be contemporary and colourful.
16. Fabric napkin rings
Don’t throw away fabric scraps when you’ve finished your festive sewing projects! Your leftover remnants can be transformed into Christmas napkin rings that you’ll reuse year after year.
Discover how to turn fabric scraps into Christmas napkin rings with Gathered.
17. Festive greenery
Decorate your table with foliage to recreate this simple Christmas table setting idea from farmhousebydesign.com.
Even adding a little greenery around a plate can instantly elevate your festive table styling.
18. Fabric Christmas crackers
Make a table ornament you’ll treasure for years to come with Gathered’s fabric Christmas crackers tutorial.
Embroider your own Christmas crackers and fill them with personalised gifts for each member of the family.
19. Pink pampas grass wreaths
Make your table look pretty in pink with this kitsch pink pampas grass wreath idea from ohhappyday.com.
If you’ve decided to make pink your theme this year, these pink pampas table decorations are the ideal finishing touch.
20. Easy DIY place mats
There’s nothing quite like crafting your own Christmas table settings, especially if they can be reused.
These practical DIY place mats can be sewn using your choice of festive fabrics to brighten your Christmas table.
21. Dried orange place cards
Dried oranges are popular Christmas decorations – they’re easy to make at home, or you can buy them from craft stores if you’re in a hurry.
Learn how to make elegant dried orange slice place cards with giaboyd.com.
22. Snow globes
Adding a snow globe to your Christmas table settings creates a nostalgic vibe that the whole family will love.
We love this DIY snowman snow globe from @roseandwren on Instagram, which has been personalised with a handwritten name tag.
23. Popcorn Christmas tree
Want a Christmas table setting that’s good enough to eat? These popcorn Christmas tree place cards from kitchenconfidante.com look amazing and you can eat them too.
You’ll just have to resist picking at them before your dinner!
24. Red and black tablescape
Give your Christmas table a luxurious makeover with this dark red and black tablescape from craftberrybush.com.
The pomegranate perfectly sets off the black bowl and tartan napkin, creating an understated and sophisticated look.
25. Pink table settings
If you’d like to step away from traditional Christmas colours like red and green, shake things up with pink table settings like these ones from my100yearoldhome.com.
While it’s less obviously festive, it will definitely lift your spirits and put you in the mood for a celebration.
26. Salt shaker snow globes
This charming Christmas table setting idea is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Transform basic salt shakers into miniature snow globes using this video tutorial from Traci BeneathMyHeart on YouTube.
27. DIY sheet music place setting pouch
Keep your cutlery neat and tidy with these DIY sheet music place setting pouches from myturnforus.com.
Sheet music looks very tasteful, but if you don’t have any to hand you could use a spare roll of wrapping paper or even wallpaper to get the look.
28. Gingerbread houses
Pull out all the stops by making a little gingerbread house as a place setting for each diner, just like Kimberly and David Jones have done here.
See more of their festive decor courtesy of houseandhome.com.
29. Bauble napkin rings
Complete your Christmas table setting by creating your own DIY bauble napkin rings with robynsfrenchnest.com.
You can leave your baubles plain or brush up on your calligraphy skills to personalise them.
30. Christmas gift table setting
Who wouldn’t be thrilled to find a Christmas gift waiting for them at the dining table? This gorgeous Christmas table setting from ellaclaireinspired.com comes complete with a gift tied up with a velvet ribbon.
You could put a little surprise inside for each guest or use them as an alternative to traditional Christmas crackers.
Prepare for a special meal with beautiful Christmas table setting ideas
Set the scene for a festive gathering by arranging your Christmas table just how you like it. Taking the time to add the perfect finishing touches to your dining table will make the occasion even more memorable.
We’ve found lots of Christmas table setting ideas ranging from quick makes to more elaborate setups. There’s something to suit every budget.
How to make Christmas crackers
Is it even Christmas if you don’t have a cracker on your plate? You don’t have to buy them though – it’s easy to make your own at home.
You can fill them with your choice of goodies and even write your own jokes. Find out how to make Christmas crackers with Gathered.
