Natural Christmas Tablescape with Plaid

Natural Christmas Table Setting 

Setting a tablescape for Christmas is the thing I look forward to every year. I love coming up with new place settings and centerpiece ideas. And inspiration can come from anywhere!

This year my holiday table is cozy and inviting with creamy white dishes, wintry details, and a rustic but elegant centerpiece of evergreens, white roses, and orange pomanders.

The overall look is neutral with green and white and gray. But the oranges give a pop of color! 

This is a beautiful dinner table setting for a farmhouse style, or a rustic woodland style. It’s also gorgeous for a winter dinner party in January or February. 

Christmas Table Decorations

In order to talk about this holiday table I have to start with the inspiration, which was these DIY snow globe-style party favors. They’re adorable for each place setting! 

The glass balls have a large opening in the back so you can put something inside like a mini candle, small flowers, succulents, etc. 

They reminded me of a snow globe so I created a small scene inside using mini Christmas decorations from the craft store. Here’s what you need.

• Hanging glass ball orbs 4 pack or 6 pack.
• Mini trees from the miniature section of the craft store
• Mini snowman decorations from the Christmas decor section
• Glue dots to hold decorations in place
• Small bag of faux snow
• Ribbon, and Christmas tags to tie on

These winter “snow globe” table favors are general enough to be used beyond the holiday. And they add just the right amount of detail to the place settings.

Once I decided on making these, it guided the rest of the Christmas tablescape theme. It became a cozy winter table setting.

Easy Centerpiece Ideas

I’ve been wanting to reintroduce classic orange pomanders to my Christmas decor for a while. I used to make them every year and I think they’re so beautiful. Not to mention they add a nice seasonal scent.

With that in mind it’s easy to create an easy Christmas centerpiece using them and other elements of nature. Just gather some foraged greenery and evergreens from the backyard.

• The centerpiece starts with a table runner. It has the look of a knit sweater or blanket, and it’s a neutral gray color. Perfect for the theme. Here’s a similar runner in off-white or red.
• Next, put the pomanders in a long wooden dish and surround them with some greenery. These rustic elements are beautiful together!
• Place the dish in the center of the table and add a vase of flowers and evergreens to each end.
• Make two arrangements using a single bouquet of white roses with alstroemeria, plus a bunch of seeded eucalyptus. 
• Fill in the flower vases with more gathered greenery like pine, cypress, and magnolia leaves. These add texture and are a creative way to design a flower arrangement without spending more money.

Simple Place Settings

Each place setting is kept very simple. The snow globes are the main attraction and make this a kid friendly table too.

• Start by layering this creamy white dish set. These are the ones I’ve used in my Easter table and my recent Thanksgiving tablescape.
• This tablescape looks beautiful with black matte flatware. I think they balance the overall look more so than gold or silver.
• Add color coordinated plaid napkins. Plaid is a hallmark sign of Christmas and winter décor. Here are some similar napkins with green and blue plaid.
• Place the snow globe favors on top of the napkins. Add a holiday tag like I did here, or tie on a name tag as a place card.
• Finish the place setting with a coffee mug and wine glass. These will serve you well whether you’re setting the table for brunch or dinner.

Dinner Menu

Christmas dinner can be anything from surf and turf to an Italian feast. It all depends on where you’re from and your own family traditions.

I grew up with Christmas meals being basically the same as the Thanksgiving meal. But as an adult I love to incorporate new ideas and traditions for my own family.

Here are some great recipes to get you started. They’re rustic but elegant making them a perfect pairing with this tablescape.

• Welcome guests with a holiday cheese and charcuterie board.
• Get the meal started with butternut squash soup.
• This lamb chops with goat cheese polenta recipe is special and delicious for holiday entertaining.
• Serve sauteed brussels sprouts with bacon for a flavorful side dish.
• A layered chocolate trifle recipe is always a show-stopper for dessert. Plus it can feed a crowd.

More Tablescapes for Long Tables

• An elegant green and gold Christmas table for a traditional dinner.
• A winter wonderland Christmas tablescape is magical and timeless.
• There’s a little bit of whimsy in this updated-classic red and white Christmas tablescape.
• This pink and white Christmas table setting is perfect for feminine touch.
• Here’s another unique and colorful tablescape for a ladies night Christmas party.
• This music theme Christmas table incorporates the classic detail of vintage sheet music.

Décor for Round Tables

• This red plaid tablescape is simple but beautiful for Christmas brunch.
• Our silver and red Christmas dinner tablescape has tips for hosting extra holiday guests.