10 Beautiful Tablescapes That’ll Work Throughout the Holidays

I can’t wait for holiday gatherings around the table. The flicker of candlelight, the clink of glasses, platters of sumptious food passed among beloved friends and family. It’s the season for entertaining and probably the only time I even consider breaking out the china. But it’s worth it, isn’t it? Just to S L O W life down, be enchanted by your surroundings, be tickled by witty company, and dazzled by an amazing still life you’ve created at your own table for your guests. Need inspiration like I do with Thanksgiving this week? Or do you need ideas for a tablescape for an intimate winter dinner party or large holiday meal? Take a look at what I’ve found to take your table from ordinary to a masterpiece:

To begin, check out the simple yet elegant charm of the example above—a basic white tablecloth and a few gorgeous crimson rosehips from the winter garden bring minimalist sophistication to your table (and make good use of an underused gift from the rose family).

Next, color reigns supreme in this eye-catching display (below). Don’t you love how well orange works throughout the holiday season in the form of an abundantly rotund resource: citrus? How easy would this be for the California host, tumbling a few tangerines and tree greens down the center of the table, but really bags of these beauties are widely available at any supermarket.

I found this mix of flowers and winter foods particularly eye catching—such a great last-minute idea arranged on top of fragrant eucalyptus leaves.

Another simple option of three ingredients for that frantic the-guests-are-arriving-in-an-hour occasion…

These snowy white cotton stalks create a soft and rustic look that’s so gorgeous. This cool palette is calmingly Scandi too.

Old world charm in this example is enhanced by the use of simple branches from a pepper tree, so effective layered on top of a burlap runner—can you imagine the subtle peppery fragrance? Heaven.

My friend Yvette runs a serviceware rental company called Fancy Tables here in Los Angeles. Don’t own a complete set of china? Short on storage for special occasion entertaining? A brilliant solution is to rent. Check out her website and gorgeous Instagram for all of the possibilities from dinnerware, to glassware, to flatware. I love the Renaissance elegance of her tablescape above in a palette of ruby and gold. Remove the pumpkins come December, and you’re ready for your December dinner parties.

I’m kinda obsessed with the elegance of tall tapers interspersed once again among leaves of fragrant eucalyptus. This place setting comprised of a black charger, white plate, and rose gold flatware is so handsome and a look that could really work year round, which I’m all into as I hate to reinvent the wheel too much.

Let’s stick with the thin tapers, elevate them even higher for guest visibility, and try black to take this to modern look. How great are those copper mule mugs in this example to bring some taverny warmth to the table?

These wood discs have been popular for a couple seasons now and I have to say I’m not tired of them. The holidays are so evocative for me of time spent in nature and I love the rusticity they bring. For this tablescape above, swap out the mini pumpkins for pomegranates, citrus, or piney greenery (or all of it!) and you’ve now got your Christmas tablescape.

So tell me, are you hosting guests this holiday season? What other tips work for you to make it fun and easy?