Decorating The Food Table Elegantly For A Christmas Party With Tablecloths And Lights

gardner holiday party secrets table setting home veranda

CHIA CHONG

Entertaining at home is a deeply personal affair, inviting guests to see inside your world and make themselves at home in your formal dining room, prospering garden, or chic patio for hours on end. A beautiful setting not only sparks oohs and aahs, but it inspires lively conversation and sets the tone for the occasion.

Whether you're hosting a laid-back summer dinner alfresco, a multigenerational holiday meal, or a chic dinner party, our favorite entertaining experts from around the country have shared some of their favorite tablescapes and table decorating ideas for any and every occasion. We have you covered for your table decorating needs all year long, from New Year's brunches to rustic holiday dinners.

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Layered Luxe

"Much like in my design, I appreciate a layered approach to tablescapes," says Cheryl Luckett, principal and owner of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors in Charlotte.

Here, Luckett artfully layers pattern, texture, and color with blue-and-white ceramics from her personal collection, Dunes & Duchesses candelabras, bold magnolia leaves, and natural woven placemats for coastal-inspired luxe.

"Dramatic hand-turned candelabras and simple votives offer mood-lighting and add a romantic element perfect for outdoor dining," she says.

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Understated Urban Supper Club

Renowned hostess, author and Town & Country UK columnist Alexandra Dudley shared a scene from a recent supper club she hosted in her personal outdoor space in London.

"Always invest in a good set of napkins," Dudley advises. "I love these classic white ones from The Linen Works as they work with anything."

The worst part about hosting a supper club: all the dishes to clean afterwards. Dudley loves to use side plates for small salads and starters to save on dishwasher space. Here, she features understated yet elegant plates from Royal Cophenhagen and Skandihus. Dudley made the tablecloth herself and found these vintage vases at an antiques fair to keep the scene breezy and casual.

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A Beautiful Backyard Brunch

This stunning table is set at event designer Keith Robinson's sprawling homestead just south of Atlanta. This backyard brunch scene lies under a romantic, swooping arbor of Lady Banks Roses and features hyper-local food: The meat, cheese, and produce are all sourced within several miles, if not from his own farm.

"Using fine things in the garden creates magic," he says. Campanella roses and peaches-and-cream dahlias in a centerpiece coordinate with the china and make a striking combination with lilac linen napkins and a tablecloth with a chocolate-hued abstract floral motif. "It's like a waterfall of roses becomes a sea of blossoms on the table."

Robinson's tabletop collection includes Old Paris porcelain, Sferra linens, and freshly picked blooms.

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Date Night at Home

"My husband loves to cook, so I felt that setting the stage for our family meals during this time was a way that I could contribute and make our meals feel special," says entertaining expert and author Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. " I also tried to mix it up, pull out china and linens that we didn't normally use so that we could break up a bit of the monotony."

Whitman mixes vintage porcelain to create interest and make a one-of-a-kind place setting.

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Valentines by Candlelight

This feminine and flowery Valentine's Day party was designed to celebrate the opening of LoveShackFancy's storefront on Bleecker Street in the West Village.

Event design expert Rebecca Gardner says her team used LoveShackFancy fabrics to dress the table and tied dupioni silk ribbons on anything they could find. Moroccan tea glasses were used as votives, bon bon dishes were filled with French cream candles, and cherries were sprinkled on top of the table for what she calls "a lovely, romantic mess."

FLWR Studio was responsible for the stunning blooms sourced from Rose Story Farm, the famed old-fashioned rose farm that has become a Southern California landmark.

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A Mediterranean Affair

"I love to create the perfect summer table with fresh flowers, natural textures and beautiful pattern," says Aerin Lauder of the eponymous lifestyle brand. "During the summer, I like to serve a casual menu to make my guests feel at home. Paella and Sangria always work well in warm weather."

Here, you'll find a breezy, Mediterranean-inspired table from Aerin Home. Embroidered Scalloped dinner napkins, Abaca Round placemats, and the Paulette setting make this table feel airy and inviting.

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Indigo Harvest

Riche Homes Grant is a lawyer-turned-tastemaker, entrepreneur, and product designer with a penchant for throwing fabulous parties. She splits her time between D.C. and L.A., giving her plenty of inspiration for inventive tablescapes.

This autumnal dinner party scene is a vibrant spin on the term "rustic chic" and features Lipper International bark-edge servers used as chargers and organic reactive glass plates from World Market.

"Keep it interesting, but be careful not to overstyle. Sometimes less is so much more, depending on the occasion," she says.

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Mother's Day Luncheon

This beautiful scene comes from the backyard of Emily Hertz, founder of the popular lifestyle blog, Born on Fifth.

"Because the tablecloth and plates were floral, I opted to have small bud vases [Alice Naylor-Leyland] and a statement gardenia on the table instead of a floral arrangement," Hertz says. "I love how it turned out!"

Hertz uses Richard Ginori x Cabana chargers as plates, which are complemented by the Bungalow table cloth and Courtland & Co. salad plates and glasses.

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La Vie en Rose

"They're somewhat few and far between, but I love our white-based prints," says Julia Amory, founder of India Amory. "There is something somewhat traditional and elegant about the look, and yet it's still bohemian and casual in its overall vibe. Wicker chargers are a must have for any table-setting enthusiast, as are vintage plates."

Here, Amory features the brand's Vie en Rose tablecloth and dinner napkins.

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In Full Bloom

This gorgeous Easter tablescape was designed by Mariee Ami and The Frances Flair. Its green, floral-forward design evokes new beginnings and vibrance that comes with spring's arrival.

"Local flower shops and nurseries are other great resources for making celebrations feel more special at home," says Mariee Ami founder Neillie Buter. "You'll be helping a small business thrive while giving yourself a treat—the ultimate win-win. Simple greenery and budding branches from your yard or neighborhood walk can also make for a lovely spring arrangement."

This tablescape features linens from Ami a Vie and florals from Southern Posies.

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Simple and Sophisticated

Interiors and lifestyle expert Becky Shea says the four elements of creating a fabulous outdoor tablescape are: location, thoughtful consideration of how your tableware interacts with what you're serving, knowledge of which ingredients are currently in season, and utilizing seasonal blooms. Here, you'll find a recent outdoor summer party Shea hosted in Manhattan.

"We picked midday for our garden lunch at the West Village Maisonette because the sun hits the patio perfectly at 1 p.m.," Shea says. "Having balance between the sun and shade allows guests to be comfortable in an outdoor environment. We also selected this corner of the patio because the fountain serves as relaxing background noise. It's fun to cultivate an experience wherever possible."

Shea used vases from Jenni Kayne, Nayoa Arakawa glassware, and Nordic ceramics by Khwurtz to keep the decor minimalist, allowing seasonal produce, flowers, and greenery to be the stars of the scene.

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Breezy Bahamian Dining

Amanda Lindroth hosted a dinner at her home, Hope Hill, in Lyford Cay earlier this winter with Julia Berolzheimer of Gal Meets Glam in celebration of launching a tableware collection together this summer.

Along with using the hurricanes, glassware, and linens from the new collection, Lindroth used vibrant crepe myrtle blossoms that bloom all over the island for a chic yet casual Bahamian dinner table.

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Merry and Bright

Keith Robinson loves to put a fresh spin on classic event designs, and here, he sets a fabulous holiday table without all the traditional kitsch. Seasonal greenery and zesty citrus help set a warm and inviting scene in his Georgia home, featuring a mix of Hèrmes and Deborah Sharpe linens and vintage porcelain for a luxe and laid-back Christmas morning.

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Fabulous Fall Gathering

This formal fall setting serves as fabulous inspiration for hosting a seated Thanksgiving or autumnal dinner party. We love this layered look that combines lavish linens and striking flatware.

The pumpkin charger from Herend compliments the Chelsea Garden accent plate from Royal Crown Derby and a Mottahedeh dessert plate. The Vera Wang tableware sits atop a placemat from Deborah Sharpe. The napkin is from Leontine Linens, and the tablecloth in a Dedar fabric.

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Party in Paradise

Riche Holmes Grant's Spanish-themed L.A. garden party features vivid linens, plates, and blooms for a truly beautiful setting. She says her Sicily Outdoor Melamine Dinnerware from Williams Sonoma helped defined the party's theme and colors, while a vibrant floral centerpiece from Mallory with the Florals ties the whole event together.

"Start with a focal point, an element on the table that you can build your look around—sometimes it's a centerpiece, but not always," Grant says. "For example, I found the gorgeous plates for my Spanish-themed soiree first and then styled the rest of my tablescape around them."

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Whimsical Easter Brunch

This second spring setting designed by Mariee Ami and The Frances Flair features elements to please the children—and the child at heart. Vintage china from Tea & Old Roses gives a grown-up element and stunning bouquets of roses, peonies, ranunculus, Scabiosa, tulips, and sweet peas bring cheerful color to this table. Pastel-colored macarons make for a sweet treat to nibble on between courses.

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Mimosas in Paradise

If there's anyone who knows how to set a beautiful table, it's author and lifestyle maven Danielle Rollins. Here, in her Palm Beach home, Rollins hosts a coastal-inspired brunch, featuring Juliska tableware, a custom Sunbrella tablecloth, and Restoration Hardware outdoor chairs. Natural-woven placemats and local blooms keep things light and breezy as her guests dine on elevated breakfast fare—and sip a mimosa or two.

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Gilded Glamour

This gorgeous tablesetting fits right in with the lustrous metallic hues of the Hamptons home Alex Papachristidis designed for his sister, Ophelia Rudin. Antique glass salad plates from Salviati are layered over porcelain dinner service by Kelly Wearstler. Juliska placemats and napkins bring in softness and make for a stunning scene to host summer soirees and the fresh catch of the day.

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Socially Distanced Garden Party

This second scene from Alexandra Dudley was designed to be a standing garden party in light of social distancing guidelines.

"It's important to serve food that is easy to hold," Dudley says. "I love loading up bruschetta with roasted tomatoes, torn mozzarella, and a basil–pine nut oil or smashed peas with Grana Padano and lemon."

Dudley mixed and matched tableware using vintage platters, plates from Skandihus, and bowls from Tony Joslin Ceramics. The scene evokes a French provincial aesthetic and allows Dudley's incredible menu to shine.

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Holiday Soiree

Rebecca Gardner's holiday table steers from the traditional reds, greens, and golds and enchants the eye with a vast array of bold hues. The table still somehow exudes holiday spirit, inviting illustrious conversation.

"My insane tables set the tone for a lively evening," Gardner told VERANDA in the November/December 2019 issue. I build them with layers and layers and layers of the best silver, linen, crystal, and china. We make guests smile by exaggerating the elements until they explode and then sprinkling bonbons on top. There's always something a little surprising."

A Weston Crystal candlestick set from Reed & Barton and handblown coupe glasses from Nason Moretti are just a few of the items on this stunning tablescape that offer timeless elegance, while plump citrus adds an element of playful whimsy.

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Enchating & Ethereal

This magical table lies in—where else?—the south of France at Lucy Cuneo's family retreat. The Charleston-based wedding and lifestyle photographer prioritizes crafting thoughtful bouquets, mixing and matching tableware, and setting a relaxed, joyful tone from the moment your first guest arrives. And there's nothing like some soft candlelight to set the mood.

"I grew up with my family lighting the candles every night for dinner, so it's definitely a part of my family's DNA," she says. "The fire is going outside, and I always use a mixture of tapers and votives to create levels that make [the lighting] soft and flicker on people's faces. I'm known for it."

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Refined Children's Party

"I recruited my children and used this as an opportunity to teach them how to set the table," says Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. "I encouraged them to get playful with centerpieces when we didn't really have flowers. One day they made paper flowers from tissue and and another day we painted wooden candlesticks for decoration."

Whitman says including her children in setting the table for an event—or just a weeknight dinner—has become a special tradition in her family. It's also a great way to help keep kids busy while you're putting the finishing touches on the event's dishes and decor.

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Whimiscal Picnic in the Park

This bohemian-inspired summer picnic is set in Savannah's Monterrey square. Event designer extraordinaire Rebecca Gardner says a street musician "happened" to be nearby with his saxophone while guests sat down for lunch—a classic Southern spread.

This striking table is covered in Gardner's mismatched collection (the undercloth is Graffito by Kelly Wearstler). The assortment of throw pillows for cushion seating including vintage Battenburg shams she bought at the brocante in the south of France. Otherwise, the food gets to be the statement decor for the day, and Gardner adds fresh blooms and layered displays to evoke an Alice in Wonderland-esque atmosphere.

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Simply Sophisticated

Keith Robinson knowns he can let his garden speak for itself when hosting a gathering there. All he needs to accent his billowing hydrangeas are linens from Sferra, TableArt glassware, and some fabulous vintage plates. Creamy pastels not only allow the bright white florals to pop but they set a calming scene, allowing friends and family to comfortably linger for hours on end.

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Tasteful Thanksgiving Table

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Laid-Back Luncheon

"There is nothing better than an unexpected and fun print with tonal flowers," says Julia Amory. "It's simple and monochromatic in it's own way but also a bit like lipstick for your table. One swipe and you're set."

Here, Amory features the Lotus Flower tablecloth and napakins with a natural woven tray, silver candlesticks, and fresh blooms for a simple, sophisticated luncheon.

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A Fabulous Fourth of July

This Fourth of July tablescape by Katie Jacobs embodies a classic summer celebration: a gingham tablecloth, antiques, fresh flowers, and, of course, a red-white-and-blue motif.

"For the Fourth especially, I love to pull in antiques and that adds a fun, throwback element, keeping things classy and not too kitschy," says the Nashville-based tastemaker. "I love white enamelware with red rims, galvanized buckets, and I always love some fresh white hydrangeas. I keep things really simple and traditional."

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Easy, Breezy Summer Entertaining

Ellen Pompeo and Martyn Lawrence-Bullard teamed up to throw a Moroccan-inspired dinner party at the Grey's Anatomy star's home in L.A. last spring. Bullard used fabric from his own line as the tablecloth, which sets the foundation for the rest of the table to be built upon.

"I love to start with black and white on the table," Bullard says. "You've got drama, and you've got balance," he says.

Earthenware plates from Calfornian potter Heath Ceramics and Billy Cotton hammered gold flatware help bring an organic look to the scene, while Yves Piaget roses and fresh kumquats from Pompeo's citrus garden add a vibrant pop of color for this gorgeous tablescape.

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Floral-Forward Spring Breakfast

This romantic tablescape honors a traditional table influenced by whatever's blooming around you. This approach keeps your table feeling chic, comfortable and creative. Florals in vibrant pink and red tones are the perfect excuse to bring out bold pink glassware and set a table with your favorite garden-inspired china pattern.

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Poolside Supper

"I started producing placemats and dinner napkins sets for two reasons," says Julia Amory. "First, I love using them on my antique marble dining table as they don't totally cover up the beauty of the actual piece. Second, I love to layer them over a tablecloth to protect it, while adding a layered element to the look. They are also the best hostess gift."

Here, Amory features the brand's Agaean Chintz print in the placemats and napkins. Mismatched plates and bamboo flatware make for a breezy and tropical tablescape.