It won't surprise you that we love Christmas! It's the time for coziness and festive gatherings, and what could be more fun than a beautifully set table? Our secret is simple! With these 6 steps, you'll steal the show this Christmas.
Step 1: Confess Your Color
No-brainer, but start with the basics: color! Everything else will naturally fall into place around that. Will you go for a warm color like deep dark green , or will you go bolder and choose a tablecloth in a midnight denim blue ? Either way, you'll instantly create a festive Christmas atmosphere.
A classic white base is always a good choice. Combined with green or red, it creates an elegant, timeless Christmas look. A white background also makes all your beautiful tableware, glassware, and other decorations stand out.
We love a beautifully ironed tablecloth at Christmas! Spread it evenly across the dining table so that all sides hang equally long.
Bonyours' absolute top tip: the table protector ! Place it under your tablecloth for the ultimate restaurant feel. It prevents your tablecloth from sliding, dampens noise, protects your table, and your glass will never have such a soft landing!
Step 2: Sub-signs
A Christmas charger gives your table that little something extra! You instantly create a festive setting. Chargers accentuate your tableware and instantly create a "set" feel. For Christmas, you can go all out with gold, silver, green, or red, but you can also create your own charger with a pine branch draped around the plates. We think that's fantastic! Place the chargers first, directly in front of the chair, about 2 centimeters from the edge of the table. They should be slightly larger than your dinner plates so they create a beautiful frame around your plate.
Step 3: Plates, cutlery and glassware
On the charger, arrange the plates from largest to smallest. Choose a flat plate for the main course, a deep plate on top for soup, or smaller plates for appetizers and entrees. White or cream plates are always a good choice, and they really make your food stand out. But colorful plates or plates with a Christmas print can also be fantastic! As long as it all comes together beautifully, anything is fine.
Next, it's important to arrange the cutlery correctly: the knife and spoon(s) on the right side of the plate, the forks on the left. Always place the knife with the blade facing inward. Place the cutlery neatly and straight at the bottom of the largest (under) plate. Follow the classic rules: order the menu from the outside in. Eat towards the plate, so to speak. Last but not least: the dessert cutlery should be placed horizontally above the plate. Bonyours mnemonic: the dessert fork points to the right and the spoon to the left .
Glassware is (besides the drinks :)) a very important part of festive Christmas moments. Place your most beautiful (vintage!) glasses, perhaps in color or with a design, on the table, and most importantly: make sure they're clean and sparkling .
Step 4: Napkins
A beautiful Christmas napkin is the finishing touch to your Christmas table. Always choose cloth napkins that complement your table. Will you go for a Christmas embroidered holly or plain napkins that match your tablecloth in a tone-on-tone way? Place the napkin casually on the plate (and not next to it under the fork!) for a relaxed effect. This also ensures that your beautifully set table isn't immediately disturbed. For those who want to take things a step further, use a napkin ring, a pretty ribbon, or a sprig of Christmas greenery with twine to tie the napkin together.
Step 5: Christmas greenery and candlelight
Let's be honest, there's no Christmas without greenery! Christmas greenery is simply essential and so easy to create a real Christmas atmosphere at the table. Place (lots!) of pine branches, holly, red berries, or small, low Christmas trees in the center of the table, and remember... more is more! A lush centerpiece or greenery spanning the entire length of the table; either way, both truly complete your table!
Then add candlesticks of varying heights (check your local thrift store for the prettiest pearls!) and plenty of tea light holders for an intimate, magical Christmas atmosphere. Be careful not to place too many tall candles at eye level. Christmas is a celebration of family, friends, and conviviality, so it's nice to be able to look your dinner guests in the eye.
Step 6: Finish it off with small details and music
The smallest details often have a big impact and make the table extra special. Think of small sprigs of greenery on the plate rim, unique napkin rings, handwritten place cards, or a Christmas card with a personal message for each guest. Make it yours! That wonderful Christmas playlist in the background completes your Christmas atmosphere. Now it really doesn't matter what's on the menu... ;)
Have a wonderful Christmas and have fun setting your Christmas table!
