How to add joy, colour and fun to your festive table design
It’s happened again. The festive season has snuck up on us, with just a few days before the big day itself! Whether you’re hosting an intimate family affair, or if your table is set to be overflowing with friends, you’ll want to make sure your set-up is looking its best. Here to propose adding a little fun into the mix is owner of Party Camel and self-confessed occasion queen, Aisha Leitner as she shares her tips for crafting an entertaining tablescape.
Colour choices for your festive table
Pick your colour palette in unison with your tree. The tree should be the central decoration of your home and so I recommend picking the table’s main hues in unison. If you’re a decorating fan like me, then it can be quite nice to change up the tree’s theme each year, along with your dinner table spread.
Just because it’s the festive season, it doesn’t mean you need to constrain yourself to the colours of Christmas – I actually think red and green are outdated. You can really have fun with the shades you pick and there are no hard and fast rules, especially when going for a modern look. White is a good base to start with as it blends things together. I personally like to pair white with red, silver or gold, but you’ll see (left) that I’ve also used subtle pops of neon.
Using fun items in your tablescape
When going avant-garde, more is more. Although it can be scary to go all-out, especially if you’re a perfectionist like me, take your theme and choose pieces you love. Once you have them, start with the middle of the table and work outwards. For your centrepiece you can either select one ‘wow’ piece, or create a design with a few pieces. The trick to getting it right is to just have fun with it.
You can keep the spread looking stylish by using high quality tableware mixed in with your fun items. Adding height to your spread is also a way to elevate the design – both physically and in terms of style. I do this with cake stands and tall candles. Adding a bouquet, or even several bunches of fresh flowers, is a sure-fire way to add a touch of class to your spread.
Design with entertainment in mind
Whether you’ve got kids or not, lay your spread with fun in mind. Along with the traditional crackers, I like to include little table-friendly games such as trivia cards, charades and Elfie Selfie Kits. It means that the fun keeps flowing, and everyone is having fun. Plus, if you do have little ones, it encourages them to sit at the table for longer. Check out Party Camel for all your fun and cute items, like my reindeer pinata, hanging garlands, and games. Plus, we do lots of adorable stocking fillers and wrapping paper.
Planning a winter party? Read tips for hosting alfresco here