How to Set the Table for the Holidays

Intro

Let's keep it real. Most of us have one dining table, one set of dishware, one set of flatware and one set of linens (two, if we're lucky). And until scientists figure out how to clone humans, there's only one of us, too—and we're strapped for time.

So, when the holidays blow in like a freight train, we want hard-working spaces to be as nimble as we are, with items that can toggle from one festive occasion to the next. Whoosh! Enter the transitional tabletop. The ideas are fresh and simple, the materials are easy to find, and the color palette is versatile enough to extend from one holiday to the next.

Thanksgiving

A copper and blue color palette sets a sophisticated—but in no way stuffy—tone.

Table Linens

• Make a handsome runner and set of no-sew napkins from blue, brown and copper-hued plaid fabric.

Dishware and Glassware

• Create a casual yet elegant vibe by placing stark white plates on faux copper chargers.
• Set out simply designed wine glasses. They showcase the good stuff inside and don't clutter the overall look.

Gifts for Guests

• Create a place card out of a small, brown paper box. (Check the wedding favors aisle at your local craft store.) Place a note inside the box telling guests why you're thankful to have them in your life. Tie each box with a satin ribbon, and attach a handwritten tag.

Tabletop Display

• Gussy up large aluminum cans by using double-sided tape to affix wide bands of blue and copper-colored ribbon.
• Wrap an inexpensive, 10-inch by 48-inch laminate shelving board with coordinating fabric. Fold fabric firmly over board, and fasten with strong tape underneath. Stud with decorative nail heads and top with a loose display of pinecones, acorns and two bags of shimmery copper glass gems. Votive candles add extra glow as their flames reflect off the gems, cans and glassware.

Sideboard Display

• Fashion a runner from the same fabric used on the laminate board.
• Pack grapevine cornucopias with a bounty of seasonal goodies. Copper-colored ribbon will tie the look back to the tabletop.
• Spell out a seasonal sentiment by embellishing 8-inch papier-mâché letters with copper-colored glitter.
• To frame the scene, set creamy-white pillar candles atop squatty candlesticks tied with copper-hued ribbon.
• Stack two cake stands and load them up with apples.

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Christmas

We amped up our handsome plaid palette with blue corduroy, adding seasonal warmth and cheery color to the table.

TWEAK Table Linens

• Keep runner in place. Loosely roll napkins and tie with copper-colored ribbon left over from Thanksgiving-themed display.

SWITCH Dishware and Glassware

• Keep plates and chargers as they were.
• Fill glass mugs with spiked golden cider, a cinnamon stick and chunky orange slice. The filled mugs serve double duty as both decoration and sipping cocktail.
• Set out chunky glass highballs for water or each guest's thirst-quencher of choice.

SWITCH Gifts for Guests

• Go a touch more formal by dressing up tiny dark brown boxes with white satin ribbon and mini jingle bells. Place a decadent store-bought truffle inside.

TWEAK Tabletop Display

• Keep metal cans and votive candles as they were.
• Cover laminate board with coordinating blue fabric.
• Replace copper glass gems that adorned the November table with inexpensive silver ball ornaments of varying sizes—they're festive and add sparkle.

TWEAK Sideboard Display

• Leave runner in place.
• Keep cornucopias intact, but mix in ornaments. Replace a pillar candle with a trio of votives.
• Remove letters and add a Christmas tree-inspired cake stand display. Working from the fall arrangement, add a third stand of apples. Turn the middle stand 45 degrees. Trim with ornaments and top with a homemade star made from a glittered cardboard cutout taped to a skewer or stiff piece of wire.

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

New Year's

Understated elegance transitions to an electric, let's-party-like-it's-1999 blue and silver color palette.

SWITCH Table Linens

• Use the blue corduroy to make a new runner and set of napkins.

TWEAK Dishware and Glassware

• Remove chargers.
• Keep chunky glass highballs, if desired.
• Serve a Kir Royale cocktail. Fill sugar-rimmed flutes with a teaspoon of Crème de Cassis liqueur and champagne. Garnish with a few lush raspberries. Arrange glasses on a porcelain platter and set on the board as guests arrive, and enjoy the oohs and aahs.

SWITCH Gifts for the Guests

• Tie pretty white-and-silver-edged gift bags with satin ribbon. Enclose a small good luck charm for the year ahead.

TWEAK Tabletop Display

• Replace copper-colored ribbons wrapping cans with blue ribbon. At their bases, scatter blue and silver ornaments and handfuls of chocolate kisses (don't be stingy) to represent the stroke-of-midnight kiss.
• Remove earthy elements like pinecones and acorns, but keep votive candles and ornaments. In a tip of the hat to the 365 days that lie ahead, mix in funky chrome clocks. It was simple to replace some of the existing clock faces with colorful scrapbook paper.

SWITCH Sideboard Display

• Create a runner from blue corduroy.
• Remove cornucopias.
• Replace copper-colored ribbons on candlesticks with blue ones.
• Make a special message extra special by embellishing papier-mâché letters with silver glitter.
• Scatter chocolate kisses and ornaments along length of sideboard. Add clocks of varying size, placing them at varying heights. And since it's a worldwide celebration, add a globe or two.
• Serve guests their drinks, as they say, on a (faux) silver platter.

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]

Nancy Yuenkel[+]