5 Ways To Set Your Holiday Table

Hosting a holiday dinner party? Forget the fine china and polished silver, and trade in the pristine for the practical. Our table-setting mantra is “simple modern elegance.” Mix and match classic pieces for a stylish holiday tabletop and centerpiece. Here are 5 easy ways!.

Want a modern take on rustic elegance? Mix natural materials and textures like reclaimed wood with rich velvet, pewter gray and pale pink. A family-style setup makes the food the star of your Thanksgiving table.

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1. Create a high-low material mix. Think a farmhouse table for an all-natural backdrop elevated by velvet dining chairs and velvet-trimmed cotton napkins.
2. Easier and more relaxed than a tablecloth, a runner shows off the table’s woodgrain. A hint of sheen adds subtle sophistication.
3. For a fresh approach to layering, mix white and pale pink dinnerware, balanced with pewter chargers and black flatware.
4. For a one-and-done centerpiece, opt for a modern candelabra. All you need is a matchbook for instant magic.

Whether you’re entertaining in a small space or hosting a more-the-merrier Friendsgiving, a buffet allows you to accommodate extra people with ease. Channel a retro vibe with poppy patterns and colors.

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1. Mix, don’t match! Stack up durable stoneware in complementary terra cotta + blue.
2. Serve up one-dish dinners in roomy, shallow bowls to reduce spills and make it easy to eat in your lap.
3. Dried botanicals in vibrant vases make wallet-friendly arrangements that will last all through the season. We paired autumn ferns with faceted teal porcelain for contrast.
4. Tie the look together with a spark of poppy geometric prints on napkins + coasters.

For a look that’s decidedly not your Bubbe’s Hanukkah table, rethink blue and white. Give it your spin with sophisticated gold accents, brushstroke plates and shimmery velvet. 8 nights’ worth of flickering candlelight adds instant ambience.

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1. A metallic-printed velvet runner sets a luxe vibe without the formality of a full-on tablecloth.
2. Add drama to classic white china with a splash of the unexpected, like artful brushstroke salad plates.
3. Go for the gold. In flatware, it’s neutral enough for everyday dining while elevating any gathering. Accent with marble + brass (a trending combo) in a menorah, salt + pepper shakers or napkin rings.
4. Put guests at ease with place cards; they’ll eliminate that awkward moment when no one’s sure where to sit.

For moody romantic vibes, hone in on deep blues and metallic golds. This palette is inspired by the midnight sky, where twinkling candlelight becomes a central color in itself. We love this look for any wintertime holiday—from Hanukkah to Christmas to New Year’s Eve.

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1. Blue constellation salad/dessert plates anchor classic white dinnerware.
2. A mix of metallics—from polished brass barware to gold flatware to silver mercury vases—creates a magical glow.
3. Short on space? Use a console or sideboard as an extra serving area, perfect for a makeshift bar or dessert spread.

Favor a more traditional tabletop look? Embrace the classics with a modern twist on an intimate sit-down dinner that’s equal parts timeless and stylish.

GET THE LOOK

1. You can’t go wrong with gold-plated dinnerware: it’s a classic for a reason. Make it modern by pairing it with gold flatware to up the ante.
2. This table’s twist on traditional lies in the unexpected scale of the centerpiece. Look for a long arching branch to create an artful moment, focusing on two colors like green and burgundy.
3. A neutral palette of white, cream, gold and silver keeps this look clean and polished.