Christmas table decorations: 25 tablescape ideas for any budget

The short answer: the easiest christmas table decorations come in four layers: a tablecloth or runner, a low centerpiece, simple place settings and small accents.

• Pick two colors and one metal
• Keep the centerpiece under about 12 inches tall
• Use what you have: ornaments, pinecones and fresh fruit
• Add candles last, and read the candle safety tips
• Next step: Plan it with the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99).

The easiest Christmas table decorations come in four layers: a tablecloth or runner, a low centerpiece, simple place settings and small accents like candles, greenery and name cards. Pick two colors and one metal, keep the centerpiece under about 12 inches tall so guests can see each other, and fill the table with things you already have, like ornaments, pinecones and fresh fruit. Below are 25 ideas, six tablescape themes, a step-by-step checklist, candle safety tips and a budget table.

Christmas is about family time for me, and the table is where it happens: the meal everyone pitched in to cook, then cards and games after the dishes are done. Put the table on the Holiday To-Do Timeline in the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) so decorating doesn't land on the same hour as the roast.

Build a Christmas tablescape in 4 layers

25 Christmas table decoration ideas

Centerpieces

1. A long evergreen garland down the center with pinecones tucked in.
2. A wooden dough bowl filled with ornaments and greenery.
3. Glass jars of fresh cranberries and water with a floating battery candle.
4. A row of small potted rosemary "trees".
5. A tray of oranges, clementines and cinnamon sticks.
6. Lanterns with battery candles and a ring of greenery at the base.
7. A cake stand stacked with ornaments in your two colors.
8. Mini bottle-brush trees in a cluster.
9. A bowl of pomegranates and magnolia leaves.

Place settings and napkins

10. A sprig of rosemary or pine tied to each napkin with twine.
11. A small ornament on each plate as a take-home favor.
12. Napkins folded into a Christmas tree shape.
13. Red or plaid napkins on white plates.
14. Gold-toned flatware for a white-and-gold table.
15. A candy cane hooked over each water glass for kids.

Place cards and personal touches

16. Name tags tied to ornaments.
17. Pinecones holding folded name cards.
18. A handwritten note under each plate saying why you're glad they came.
19. A Christmas cracker at every seat.
20. A small card with a trivia question or a game prompt for after dinner.

Budget and natural ideas

21. Brown kraft paper runner with names written in marker.
22. Dried orange slices strung into a garland.
23. Clippings from your yard: holly, pine, cedar.
24. Clean glass jars wrapped in twine as votive holders.
25. Ornaments and ribbon borrowed from the tree.

Pick five or six ideas, not all 25. A table looks finished with a base, one centerpiece, napkins and one repeated accent.

Six Christmas tablescape themes

The kids' table idea doubles as entertainment. Add a few printable games from our Christmas party games or Christmas trivia pages for after the meal.

How to set the Christmas table, step by step

1. Clear and clean the table. Wipe it down and decide how many leaves or extra tables you need.
2. Lay the base. Center the tablecloth or runner. If last year's cloth has a spill, here's how to remove wine stains from tablecloths and napkins.
3. Place the centerpiece. Run garland or set your main piece down the middle, then check that you can see over it while seated.
4. Set each place. Plate, napkin, fork on the left, knife and spoon on the right, glass above the knife. Our guide on how to set a table covers casual and formal layouts.
5. Add accents. Place cards, a sprig of greenery or an ornament at each seat.
6. Add candles last. Put them where no sleeve, napkin or garland can reach them.
7. Leave room for food. If dishes go on the table, leave open space down the middle or serve from a side counter.

Keep candles and greenery safe

Candles make a Christmas table glow, but they're an open flame next to dry greenery and paper. NFPA advises keeping candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn and blowing them out before you leave the room. It also notes that Christmas is the peak day for home candle fires, and that candles start about half of December home decoration fires.

• Use sturdy holders that won't tip, on a flat surface.
• Keep candles out of garlands, wreaths and paper runners. Use battery candles inside greenery.
• Keep lit candles away from where children reach or pets jump.
• Blow out every candle before clearing dishes or moving to another room.

Christmas table decorations budget

Shop your house first: ornaments, jars, ribbon and candles from other rooms go a long way. After the holidays, pack table decor with your tree decorations so it's easy to find next year. Our guide on how to organize Christmas decorations shows how.

Plan the table with the rest of your Christmas

The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) includes a Holiday Budget, Holiday To-Do Timeline, Holiday Menu and Holiday Grocery List, so the table, the meal and the decor spending share one plan. To get the house guest-ready, the Cleaning Schedule ($4.49) has daily, weekly and room-by-room checklists. Or get both, plus four more planners, in the Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99). Browse the holiday shop.

Our free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.

See also

• Christmas dinner menu planner
• Thanksgiving table decor
• Holiday party planning checklist
• How to host Christmas dinner on a budget
• Christmas hostess gifts