Move over, Martha—there’s a new decorator in town.
Forget about October’s haunted houses, jack-o-lanterns, and the creepy costumes; the scariest part of the year has arrived: it’s holiday season. Along with your in-laws crowding into your home and the chaos that lives within three hundred feet of any shopping mall, that means you’ll be spending a lot of time trying to make your home cozier than the images of stockings above a fireplace. Thankfully, you have us to help.
Back to Basics
Before you get overwhelmed trying to fit time in your already busy schedule for the DIY crafts you saw on Pinterest that probably won’t work right anyway, take a deep breath. As charming as melted-crayon art and dryer-tube pumpkins tend to look at midnight on your computer screen, there’s a better way to really impress your family and friends with your incredible style sense (and it doesn’t involve spray paint).
First, you’re going to want to take in the area that you’ll be decorating. If your tradition insists on keeping the wealth of food on the table, you may want to forego any large table decorations for a few simple candles and a table runner instead; if your table is rather small, skip the table runner altogether in favor of a few well-placed decorations. Do you want to carry the décor over into other rooms as well, or focus on where the people will be? What about your plates—are they a bright color or pattern? What other colors will go with them and also fit into your holiday theme? Be sure to think of the space you have to work with, and not the ideal space you saw in a magazine or in pictures.
Once you have a good idea of what you’re working with, you can start by picking out a suitable color palette to work with. Traditionally, hues of brown, red, and orange are the go-to scheme for the fall season, but you can also try to spice things up with pops of white, deep purple, or a light turquoise. Whichever colors you pick, make sure that they complement your space as well as each other. If you’re unsure of what matches, use fabric or paint swatches of the colors you have in mind against your table. Does it clash, or do they seem to embrace each other?
If you think choosing a few colors to stick to was difficult, we have some bad news: that was just the beginning. Once you have your palette in mind, it’s time to choose what kind of decorator you want to be; whether it’s minimalist or extravagant, we have just the tips to help.
Minimalist Doesn’t Mean Boring
Instead of going over-the-top to decorate your home for the holidays, it’s becoming more popular to go with just a few well-placed decorations. Before you skip this section entirely, let’s say it again: minimalist doesn’t have to mean boring. After all, this isn’t your mother’s decorating store.
Depending on the size of your table, you may want to choose a simple table runner or opt to go without one at all. If it doesn’t feel like the holidays without fabric on the table, forego any printed patterns and opt for a basic fabric instead: burlap, textured cotton, or even a simple color instead of place mats will complement your wonderful meal without distracting from it.
If you decide against using a table runner or placemats, you’ll want to use cloth napkins. While they do add to your laundry later on, they add just a hint of elegance without going over the top into extravagance. While you can choose either a matte color or a muted pattern, this is a great opportunity to add a pop of rich color; deep purples and reds, or even a muted turquoise would really add some character to the table without detracting from your setting. You may choose to either fold them simply with your place settings, or—if you’re like me and folding a fitted sheet is still something you never mastered—opt for simple napkin rings that complement your dishes. This can be as simple as a white leaf ring, or even a small knot made from burlap and twine: just be sure your individual elements are still complementing the overall feel.
The Devil is in the Details
Just because the holidays are a family affair doesn’t mean you can’t bring fun to the table! Here’s a short list of ideas to make sure your personality stands out in your setting without overcrowding your guests:
- Imbibe by utilizing a bottleabra (a candelabra made from the best of your liquor cabinet) or even a quirky wine bottle holder you may have hidden away.
- Disregard the traditional Thanksgiving turkey that usually makes its appearance. Invest in something more your style—a rhino, perhaps? Or a holiday armadillo a la “Friends”—to place among your ceramic pumpkins and gourds.
- Get thrifty by crafting a beautiful display of fall leaves, flowers, and candles without having to break the bank for a centerpiece full of color (although using fake flowers and leaves is recommended).
Now that you know all the basics of setting a perfect table that is sure to impress your guests, what will you do with the jumbo bag of googly eyes you bought after a long night on Pinterest? Well, there’s always the kids’ table…
Visit us to buy the pieces you need to make a candleabra for your table! We offer candle holders in silver and pewter, and we have the candles. All you need is an empty spirit or wine bottle!
