8 Creative Holiday Table Settings
Set a beautiful table with seasonal touches plucked from nature.
Timeless place settings
Rather than purchase season-specific tableware and decorations, simply accent what you already have. Pair natural-toned ceramics with assorted silverware and everyday glassware. Adorn napkins with name cards, herbs, and a ribbon for a dash of holiday color.
More DIY decorating projects
Repurposed wrappings
Small guest gifts can be wrapped in brown shopping bags or Kraft paper (sold at craft stores), then embellished with colorful patterned paper remnants.
Pomegranate placecard
Print a name on a pomegranate in gold. The rich red color and hard texture of the pomegranate make it the perfect fruit to write on. Use permanent or liquid ink in gold, silver, or black.
No pomegranates? Try pumpkins.
Children's crafts
At the kids' table, recycled paper makes great restaurant-style placemats. Personalized sets of crayons invite the kids to have fun.
Pear placecard
Attach a metal plant tag to stem fruit. The tags, available from garden stores, turn fruits with stems into instant place-setters. Cut the tag to size, then write the name on it with a black permanent marker.
Harvest candle
Illuminating natural elements gives such nice texture and warmth. Place a small glass hurricane inside a larger one with about a ¼-inch space between and slip in some wheat. Place a candle in the center (be sure your candle is shorter than the height of the inner glass).
Hazelnut placecard
Cut a slit in a chestnut for a placecard. Use a craft knife to make the cut. Silver ink reads well on dark brown paper, and scalloped scissors give the card a decorative edge.
Leaf placecard
Write a name on the back of a magnolia leaf. Use a pen with white or silver ink. The leathery texture of the leaf complements table linens. Coordinate the napkin color.