

My mother and mother-in-law always loved to set a festive dining table for the holidays, so I just naturally followed suit. I was gifted china ages ago when my husband and I were married and have added to my tabletop collection over time to create something different and special every year.
Goodness knows, designers love a beautiful table setting and I certainly follow suit!
I shared some ways that I handle having extra people at my dining table in a previous post, but I thought I’d share a few of my decor hacks that help me set a beautiful table without a huge, extra expense.
I love to change things up every year at the holidays for my table settings, it gives me great joy to have a pretty table!
Here are some of the ways I mix things up without spending too much on all the table settings and decor. I typically use the same dishes, flatware and glassware but tend to change up the following items and how they are layered onto the table.
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Tablecloths and creative runners
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Add style with napkins or extra plates
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Basic solid color plates can be easily styled
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Simple, multiple glass vases
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Candlesticks and candles
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Natural greenery and decor
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Collections and figurines
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Easy, unique place card idea
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Thrifting, inheriting, antiquing, FB Marketplace
1) Tablecloths and creative runners
I do have some nice tablecloths, but I also use a basic neutral linen fabric by the roll often, for putting tables together, etc.
I love a basic white too, my mother purchased a beautiful white embroidered tablecloth for me on her trip to Italy many years ago. I also have my husband’s grandmother’s white damask tablecloth that was passed down.
I usually like to use a solid color base cloth and add my chargers, placemats, a runner, etc. on top of that. Metallic chargers are nice during the holidays and I like rustic looks as well.
Here’s a silver metallic woven runner (from Ikea) on top of my inherited white damask cloth on a Chirstmas tabletop.