Creating a Christmas Tablescape with Handmade Touches
As Christmas approaches one of the main considerations beyond giving gifts is Christmas decoration. As we gather with loved ones, share meals, and creating cherished memories, one way to make your celebrations truly special is by designing a Christmas tablescape.
Here’s Brit Heart’s top handmade touches for adding warmth and festive charm to Christmas day feasting.
Choose a Theme or Colour Palette
Start by selecting a cohesive theme or colour palette. Whether you’re drawn to classic reds and greens, winter whites, or modern metallics, having a unified look will tie all your elements together. We really love a traditional palette at Brit Heart and love using natural materials like wood, linen, and greenery alongside more establishment colours.
Layer Your Table Linens
The foundation of any cohesive tablescape is your choice of table linens. Opt for handmade or hand-embellished tablecloths, runners, or placemats (we’d love to create our own Brit Heart range in the future). Companies such as Neptune, John Lewis, The Newt in Somerset and The White Company tend to have lovely elegant Christmas embroidered tablecloth ranges that feature festive motifs.
Add Handmade Centre pieces
If your table is large enough, a handmade centre piece should form the focal point of your table. We love using foraged evergreen branches and berries, pinecones and scented sprigs from the garden, candles and ribbons.
Personalise Place Settings
Make your guests feel extra special with handmade place settings. It’s lovely to personalise place settings with handwritten name cards, use napkin rings made from ribbon, twine, or small sprigs of rosemary and place mini decorations in front of each place setting like tiny stockings or baubles with your guests' names painted on them.
A favourite of ours is using a Brit Heart Mini Heart, personalised with a name, flag or Christmas symbol.
Incorporate Handmade Decorations
Consider decorating your table with handmade decorations such as garlands draped along the table or across the backs of chairs, folded paper stars or snowflakes scattered across the table and hand-sewn Christmas figurines like stars, snowmen, or angels.
Light it Up
Lighting is crucial to creating a warm and inviting table. At Brit Heart we adore using candles or tea lights and an abundance of fairy lights, which create a cosy glow. Consider using natural hand poured candles with essential oil scents and fairy lights intertwined with greenery for a magical effect.
Include Edible Decorations
Why not make your decorations delicious? Handmade gingerbread cookies, candied oranges, or chocolate truffles can double as both treats and table decorations. Arrange them on decorative plates or in jars for a charming, edible display. Our favourite recipe to use is this one by Mary Berry.
Finish with a Festive Scent
A Christmas tablescape isn’t just about what you see—it’s about what you smell too. Our favourite winter and Christmas scents include cinnamon, dried orange, pine, clove and rosemary.
Embrace Imperfection
The beauty of handmade elements is their uniqueness. Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfectly symmetrical or polished—these little imperfections are what make your tablescape authentic and full of character.
Creating a Christmas tablescape with handmade touches is not only a wonderful way to celebrate the season but also an opportunity to showcase your creativity and thoughtfulness. By infusing your table with these personal details, you’ll create an unforgettable experience for your guests, full of warmth, charm, and holiday cheer.
