8 Creative Holiday Table Settings

Set a beautiful table with seasonal touches plucked from nature.


Accent what you already have
Accent what you already have


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


Gifts can be wrapped in shopping bags
Gifts can be wrapped in shopping bags


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.

Make your own gift wrap


The perfect fruit to write on
The perfect fruit to write on


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.


Invite the kids to have fun
Invite the kids to have fun


Children's crafts
At the kids' table, recycled paper makes great restaurant-style placemats. Personalized sets of crayons invite the kids to have fun.


Turn fruits with stems into place-setters
Turn fruits with stems into place-setters


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.

Make your own napkin rings


Place a candle in the center
Place a candle in the center


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).

Offbeat centerpieces


Cut a slit in a chestnut for a placecard
Cut a slit in a chestnut for a placecard


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.


Write a name on the back of a magnolia leaf
Write a name on the back of a magnolia leaf


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.

Decorating with fall foliage