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5 Tips for an Elegant + Simple Holiday Table

Hosting Christmas dinner? Don’t miss these tips for an elegant yet simple holiday table!

stairwell garland and a decorated holiday dining table

When I began dreaming of the holidays this year, two words came to mind: simple and elegant… So I’ve run with it this year for my Christmas decor. And I’m concluding my holiday decorating with a simple yet elegant holiday table in our Christmas dining room.

Catch up on part 1 and part 2 of my simple + elegant holiday home tour!

It’s uncomplicated, un-fussy, relaxed, and charming… yet it feels slightly sophisticated, a little glitzy, and a touch magical. Don’t you think?

Christmas dining table with simple yet elegant decorating ideas

And today I’m sharing my tips for achieving this balance.

Elegant + Simple Holiday Table Decorating Ideas

Mix and match patterns with linens

For my last few holiday tables, I’ve used a bedsheet, a throw blanket, and some cheesecloth. Needless to say, I’m not married to formal tablecloths. 😉

holiday dining table with blue runner and striped tablecloth

But I did think that it was time to bring in a few new table linens, as I have found myself reaching for them on more occasions lately. So I grabbed this sweet striped tablecloth and this fun deep blue runner recently. I’m not usually much of a red and green decorator anyway, but I particularly love how the runner adds that moody blue that I was originally inspired by this holiday season.

woman decorating Christmas dining table

I layered those two fabrics with my favorite linen napkins because they are perfectly neutral and go with just about everything. Honestly, though, if I had a plaid or buffalo check pattern on hand, I might just have thrown those in to add an extra dose of pattern to the Christmas table decorations.

Together, the linens provide a formality while the mix of patterns adds a level of relaxation and comfort. Perfect for the elegant + simple combo.

dining room decorated for Christmas

Mix formal china with casual dishes

Speaking of that high-low combination, I love to mix formal china with classic, casual dishes.

basic white dishes mixed with formal china for a holiday place setting

I used my grandmother’s ivory and gold china to lend a festive air to the Christmas table setting, but I layered them on my inexpensive caterer’s white plates.

casual yet elegant Christmas table ideas

I also mixed my family heirloom crystal with some super inexpensive stemless wine glasses. A little glitz with a little basic.

Mix metals

One more way to balance the formal and informal is to mix metals on the table.

Christmas centerpiece ideas: black bowl with greenery

Black metal candlesticks against gold flatware and china again provides a more modern, relaxed look than all matching metallics would offer.

Use simple greenery

I actually purchased these stems on a whim when I was getting tablecloths. I can’t say they look completely real, but they’re a pretty decent fake. The texture is wonderful, though the actual finish looks a little waxy to me up close.

black wood bowl with evergreens for holiday centerpiece ideas

From more than 12″, though, they’re perfect. Just enough variety, bendable stems to make it easy to arrange, and a splayed out look that provides a focus for the centerpiece without blocking diner’s views. I love low centerpiece ideas that allow for better conversation at the dinner table.

casual yet elegant and holiday dining room

A little holiday greenery is a perfect way to give the table a seasonal feel while still maintaining the casual, fun, eclectic look of the mixed fabrics, dishes, and metals.

Add candles and ornaments

One last way to bring the festive is to add candles and ornaments. Candles are a staple on just about any dining table for me; the ambiance they provide is positively unmatched. I used taper candle holders here, but votive candles are a great option, too.

magical holiday dining room with elegant yet simple holiday table

For Christmas, I love to take it a step further and bring in ornaments in some way. They make fun accents at each place, can even hold place cards if you want, and bring in a little more sparkle and shine.

woman decorating dining room with Christmas table decorations

In year’s past, I have brought a Christmas tree into the living room, but this year I felt that a little lighted garland and some beautiful glass ornaments was sufficient.

More holiday dining ideas

It may just be because I love to eat 😉 , but I can honestly say that many of my fondest holiday memories took place around a table. That’s why I love making a simple holiday dinner table into a beautiful gathering spot. I hope these ideas and the ones below help you to do just that!

And that they help you make memories this Christmas day and throughout the holiday season.

simple and elegant holiday table ideas

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8 Comments

  1. I am planning my christmas decor for this year (2023) and I found your ideas. Everything is beautiful and simple. What color is it on the glitter ornaments? dark red? Copper? I can,t tell from the photo. Do you even remember where they are from?
    Thanks,
    Vickie

    1. Thank you! I’m pretty sure they came from Garden Ridge Pottery (which was At Home’s former name) almost 20 years ago – ha! It is a dark coppery brown color. I wish I had a better source for you.

      1. Thank you so much for the response! That will help greatly as I look for the color! I understand it being from many years ago , I have items like that as well 🙂 thank you again for the response and have a fabulous Fall and Christmas season!
        God Bless, Vickie

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