When it comes to hosting during the festive season, finding the best Christmas table decorations is key if you want to curate a truly decadent dining experience. No matter how little you may know about tablescaping, with just a few simple swaps and decorative additions, you’ll be ready to give your standard dining table set-up a stylish and seasonal upgrade — just in time for December 25th.
Regardless of the season, having a classic dinner set — as well as a selection of statement glassware — is a the best place to start for crafting a beautifully dressed dining table. Timeless and elegant, a staple matching crockery set will see you through many soirees to come — and can be easily dressed up with decorative touches like pieces of seasonal serverware, table centrepieces, and place card holders to help you create more of a festive feel.
Following on from this, the kind of decorations and adornments you choose will depend on your chosen Christmas aesthetic. Whether you’re going for a cosy cottage feel with plenty of plaid and artificial foliage to match your Christmas garlands and artificial tree, or prefer the look of a more modern and neutral tablescape with elegant gold and black accents, the choice is completely yours.
To help you find the best Christmas table decorations, we’ve scoured our favourite online furniture stores, and curated an edit of our favourite centrepieces, tablecloths and runners, candle holders, dinnerware, and glassware that we feel truly deserve a spot on your dining table this Christmas. Plus, we’ve even sought styling advice from a couple of interior design experts — so you’ll have all the necessary tools to bring your festive vision to life.
The best Christmas table decorations at a glance:
- Best centrepiece: Your London Florist Christmas Table Arrangement, £70 at selfridges.com
- Best candle holder: Bobina Bobble Candle Holders, £56 at oka.com
- Best table linen: Neutral Embroidered Snowflakes Table Runner, £45 at coxandcox.co.uk
More Christmas content…
Artificial Christmas trees | Christmas wreaths | Christmas bedding | Christmas candles | Christmas crackers
Shop GQ’s edit of the best Christmas table decorations for 2023.
Best centrepieces
When it comes to centrepieces, you can’t go wrong with a floral arrangement. This one from Your London Florist boasts festive blooms like blue pine, thistle, and burgundy forest fern — and has been finished off with an adornment of orange slices, rose hips, and pine cones. Best of all, it’s got a pretty gold taper candle right in the middle — so it will really stand out when placed in the centre of the dining table on Christmas Day. £70. At selfridges.com.
If you’re keen to go for more of an ornamental arrangement, then these sweet glass tabletop trees are worth considering. Crafted from mouth-blown soda lime glass, they’re pretty yet understated, and will work seamlessly with a multitude of different festive decor styles. Plus, they also come in two different sizes — so creating a layered look with varying heights isn’t too tricky. For a modern and minimalistic table centrepiece, just lay them out with little tealights, and some simple and sleek candlesticks. £33.60 (was £42). At westelm.co.uk.
Although they’re typically draped over mantle pieces and wound around bannisters, garlands actually work really well as centrepieces — particularly if your table is long and rectangular in shape. Adorned with faux festive foliage like eucalyptus, pine leaves, and ferns — as well as a smattering of juicy red crab apples and frosted berries — this lovely Laura Ashley garland feels like the perfect rustic centrepiece for a Christmas Day dining table. Doubling up as a lovely ambient light source, it’s also been fitted with warm white micro LEDs that give off a gorgeous warm glow. £44. At next.co.uk.
Best tablecloths and runners
Perfect for a rustic winter woodland or Christmas cottage theme, this decorative cotton table runner will give any standard dining table an instant festive makeover. Illustrated with hand-drawn reindeer and popular winter florals and foliage like mistletoe, winterberries, cedar, pine needles and pine cones, it’s bursting with red, brown, and green hues, and requires very little additional styling. £32.75. At notonthehighstreet.com.
If your preferred Christmas aesthetic is all about sophisticated all-white accessories, bare wood accents, and light and serene textures, then this trending table runner is definitely one to consider. Made from a neutral and unbleached linen-look fabric, it’s been delicately embroidered with dainty and detailed white snowflakes in various sizes, and has a really stylish and modern look. Simple and boho, it’ll pair well with a wide range of tablecloths — but will also work just as well against a bare wood backdrop. £45. At coxandcox.co.uk.
To keep it truly traditional, cover your table with a green or red checked tablecloth this Christmas. When paired with other heritage prints, classic country-style crockery, and cute and crafty accessories, it’ll create a cosy and homely vibe. Made from 100 per cent cotton, this tablecloth comes in two different sizes — one of which is spot-on for small circular or square shapes, and another larger option that’s been designed with rectangular tables in mind. £49.99. At zarahome.com.
Best candle holders
Inspired by the legs of bobbin furniture, this pair of candle holders will bring a rustic and artisanal energy to any Christmas Day dining table set-up. Carved by hand from mango wood, they’ve been painted a deep red colour that emphasises the texture and grain of the wood — and have been coated in a high-shine gloss to ensure their longevity. The perfect size for taper candles, they’ll make a real statement when placed at either end of your dining table. £56. At oka.com.
Whether you pair them with equally bold and bright candlesticks, or stick to a more muted colour scheme, these elegant ribbed candle holders will make a beautiful addition to your festive dining table — particularly in this gorgeous sage green colour. Plus, if you flip them over, they double up as tea light holders. Not too tall, they’re a great choice if you want the sophisticated look of tapered candles, but want to make sure your decorations don’t get in the way of anybody’s line of sight. £10. At johnlewis.com.
There’s something really timeless and elegant about these pillar candle holders. Mouth-blown in Poland from high-quality crystal, they come in a range of different heights — as well as in a slimmer taper candle format — and look chic when carefully arranged together. Sleek and stylish, they’ll work well with practically any decor style — so you’ll get use out of them long after Christmas, too. £22. At thewhitecompany.com.
Best Christmas dinnerware and glassware
A sleek matching dinner set can make a real difference in how your tablescape turns out. Made from durable raw-like glazed ceramic stoneware, this 12-piece crockery set oozes warmth with its earthy terracotta finish. For a fully cohesive look, stack the two plates and bowls on top of each other for each place setting — and even take a look at the wider Our Place tableware ecosystem if you like the sound of expanding your collection. £140 (was £200). At fromourplace.co.uk.
If you like the sound of jazzing up your tablescape without having to add any unnecessary extra accessories, then swap the standard glassware for some more stylish alternatives. With their curved silhouettes, ribbed detailing, and statement green bases, these four wine glasses have quite a vintage feel — and feel spot-on for a classic festive celebration. They come in a set of four, and can also be bought as champagne glasses, too. £32.50. At oliverbonas.com.
When it comes to festive tableware, nobody does it quite like Anthropologie. A seasonal take on the brand’s much-loved Bistro range, this beautiful pie dish is made up of hand-applied red and green tiles, and gives off a gorgeous glint with its 24k gold decal detailing. Ideal for both cooking and displaying a homemade pie or tart, it’s a piece of kit that’s guaranteed to bring a touch of Christmassy charm to your dining table. £28. At anthropologie.com.
What should be on your table at Christmas?
As tempting as it is to go straight in with the festive garlands and centrepieces, we’d recommend taking it layer by layer — and starting with a tablecloth, table runner, and place mats of your choosing. Completely unobtrusive, table linens help form the foundations of your tablescape — while also taking up no space.
