You know what I always think really makes a meal an event? A really nice table. You know, the one where you walk into someone’s house and think, “wow, they really took time to set a table for us,” or “how does she have the time to set such a gorgeous table?” or “how the heck do they pull off a table like that, I wouldn’t even know where to start.” I love those kinds of tables. I’m always impressed by that kind of thought and, if we’re being honest, that kind of style.
So can I tell you, that this table, ready for hosting Christmas Eve, since we don’t host Christmas, really is something I’ve been planning and plotting since Thanksgiving? It’s really taken me that long to get it right. And, once it’s dressed, it’s going to look like that until the holiday. Because I’m only doing this one once!
This year, I found myself really drawn to green and to black and white buffalo check. I had bought some thick buffalo check ribbon with a few ideas, which never came to fruition, and then figured I might as well weave it onto the table. The ribbon became the whole foundation for this year’s table along with my new obsession with just plain ol’ green everything. Like if someone could come decorate every doorway in the house with plain green, fresh, garland, I’d be so happy.
I’ve found that whenever I want to dress a table really, really well, Pier 1 is the place to go – like I did for Easter this year. I mean, you can find every single thing you need to really layer on a table. I think that’s the key to basically anything, especially something photo-worthy. A whole lot of layers.
These few things always seem to be the key:
- 1 really large charger
- Which fits underneath a second smaller, but larger-than-your-dinner-plate charger
- Cute appetizer or salad plates
- A complimentary or matching napkin
- Napkin rings
- Optional: table cloth, runner
- Lots of candles
- Low flowers or garland or some greenery on the table
It’s like a little formula that legit works every time you use it!
I found my tea light holders at Ikea, but I don’t see my exact ones online anymore. I always go for an odd number! And I just constantly use the same bunch of candle holders. The greenery was all from Trader Joe’s. My scallop edge plates are from West Elm. Burlap I found on Amazon!
And this is our dining room table. My favorite, favorite piece of furniture in the house!
