Ah, the wide world of Pinterest. If you ever find yourself looking to answer the “What should I bake, decorate, DIY, or do today?” question, Pinterest never lets me down. When I’m getting down to the all-important business of holiday food prepping, gift wrapping, and making the house feel warm and inviting, I’m always looking for inspiration–and few things excite me more than setting the table for the big Christmas day meal. So, since it’s officially the season, I’m digging deep for all the Christmas table setting ideas, courtesy of Pinterest.
I’m sure many of you agree that there’s nothing better than pairing delicious food with a stunning setting (plus, all the loved ones you can fit around your table). When all is said and done, the real reason we go to the effort of dressing up our homes for the holidays is to get cozy with friends and family. And while presence is key, I love to document all the fun to be had in the form of way too many photos, and I always love to see an aesthetically pleasing backdrop to all that merrymaking.
And so, because I can easily get lost in an hours-long rabbit hole of Pinterest bliss, I had no problem scouring Pinterest for ideas to work from. Whether you’re going for minimalist, whimsical, or farmhouse-chic, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here. I’ve rounded up my favorite aesthetics and options for all the inspo you could ever want and need.
Neutral & Natural
If you want to make your guests feel like they just stepped into the chicest Christmas-themed fairytale possible, here’s your answer. I love the balance of white-on-light-wood accents mixed with a tangle of fresh and varied greenery for natural vibrancy. Everyone at your table is guaranteed to feel right at home (while simultaneously wondering if they were magically transported to Denmark for dinner).
Forest Vibes
Last year, Camille’s Christmas décor was all about pairing a neutral color palette with a natural, from-the-forest aesthetic. While artificial accents can sometimes be a necessity, this look achieved a woodsy vibe with all the real greenery, a scattering of pinecones, and birch-wrapped candles just for good measure. With a fire quietly crackling in the background, you might just think you’re in the middle of the forest yourself.
Handmade-Chic
I can certainly get on board with a picture-perfect holiday home. Satisfying symmetry and coordinated colors are a balm for my Type A soul, but as I learn to embrace the principles of wabi-sabi, I’m all about finding the magic in the inexact, impermanent, and incomplete. When I spend the holiday with my family, I love unwrapping all the ornaments and decorations we’ve made over the years. While I appreciate the beauty of aesthetically-pleasing décor, nothing comes close to the pleasure of connecting a made-from-the-heart physical object to a cherished memory. If that’s true for you too, I strongly recommend letting Camille’s table inspire your own.
Scandinavian-Inspired
There’s a reason we’re all a little more than obsessed with Scandinavian design, food, and philosophy (hygge, anyone?). With comfort and consolation at the center of this way of being, it’s no wonder the approach to décor puts you immediately at ease. The incorporation of greenery, a monochromatic place setting, and a few small tea lights dotted across the table is pure low-key holiday dinner magic. Black, gray, and green are the driving forces of this color palette, helping you drift off to a Danish-inspired décor dreamland.
Comfy & Cozy
If you’re all about the centerpiece, this is the tablescape for you. The components of this scene layer together with a cozy and contemporary feel, creating a final result that’s undeniably impressive but nonetheless inviting. You can click through to find step-by-step DIY instructions for putting together the hoop centerpieces, or shop our option for a minimalist wreath below and simply attach a base for balance. Also, the combo of velvet pillows and sheepskin for seating? Perfectly conducive to a post-meal nap.
Dark & Dramatic
For your adults-only Christmas dinner, this table is a mood. You know and love Tieghan Gerard for her mouth-watering recipes, and if you check her blog and Instagram daily for inspo (guilty) you’ll likely also know that the girl’s got a knack for designing many an enviable interior vignette. This table is indicative of Tieghan’s no-stress approach to entertaining. While it’s certainly nothing short of absolutely gorgeous, there isn’t much you need to recreate the look for yourself. A few coupe glasses, classic silver, and dark dinnerware—plus an edible centerpiece of in-season fruits. I’d be more than happy to pull up a chair.
Farmhouse Christmas
Looking at this picture alone transports me immediately to the New England countryside, with idyllic images of a snow-white holiday, carolers, and a Christmas Kringle for breakfast dancing about in my head. If that sentence alone perfectly encapsulates your ideal Christmas, let this table be your guide. While you may need to enlist a little help to make the evergreen-and-ornament installation happen, the table itself is all about streamlined, easy-to-recreate simplicity.
Whimsically Woodland
If Norman Rockwell was tasked with illustrating a picture of a 2021 Christmas, he’d cross his fingers it would be of this home. The interplay of textures and aesthetics feels wonderfully classic and cohesive. By weaving green throughout the florals and across the linens, you’re able to get a little wild with the table’s other elements. There’s a lot going on here though, so just be sure you don’t go overboard with all that you bring to the table. I’d call that creativity thriving within constraint.
Minimalist & Monochromatic
While black and white can seem a little stark, this table does an impressive job of weaving a little whimsy into its composition. A few decorative figurines (how cute are these houses?!), wine glasses in an unexpected shape, and modern taper holders offer up a dynamic display and set the stage for the beautiful meal to come.
White Christmas
If you’re not waking up to snow on Christmas morning this year, why not keep the dream alive indoors. A winter white table gets a little interest and festive flair from pinecones and a runner of greenery (with a little more woven into the place setting just because). How’s the song go again? I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…
Après-Ski
I love a weekend of skiing. Taking run after run (after run) down the mountain sounds like absolute bliss—I admittedly love warming up in the lodge even more. If this sounds like you too, then recreate the alpine atmosphere with this stunning table. White, green, and a little gold combine for a clean yet captivating set-up. Grounding the tall tapered candles with a garland of frosted greenery is enough to make me feel like I just wrapped up a day hitting the slopes.
