Part of the fun of hosting the holiday meal is planning things other than the food. Here, we offer up some stylish options for decorating your table, whether you’re into easy elegance, retro charm or full-on drama.

Modern fresh

 

Photography, Foodivine studio

With its long centrepiece of natural greenery studded with gold ornaments and dried orange slices, this look is all about sophistication done simply. The delicately patterned tablecloth forms a traditional-meets-contemporary backdrop, while the white dishware grounds the look and keeps the setting from looking too precious. Sparkle comes in the form of pretty glasses, and linen napkins adorned with orange slices carry the theme.

 

Photography, Foodivine studio

1. Chamomile TABLECLOTH, 53" x 107", $80, myrosebuddha.com. 2. Riviera 12-piece DINNERWARE SET, $60, stokesstores.com. 3. Estilo 16-piece FLATWARE SET in White & Gold, $50, stokes
stores.com. 4. America Clear GLASSES, $10 each, zonemaison.com. 5. Bormioli Clear COCKTAIL GLASSES, $13 each, zone
maison.com. 6. Linen NAPKINS in Oat, $32/pair, confettimill.com. 7. Washed Linen NAPKINS in Sand, $40/pair, maisontess.com. 8. Christmas artificial Norfolk Pine GARLAND, 72", $70, veronneau.com.
9. Frosted Silver Dollar Artificial Eucalyptus BRANCHES, $13 each, veronneau.com.
10. Classic Ceramic CANDLESTICKS in Beige, $12 each, livom.ca. 11. Copper Christmas ORNAMENTS, $13/4-piece set, veronneau.com.
12. Organic Dried ORANGE SLICES, $13/50 g, freshdried.ca.

Candy classic

 

Photography, Foodivine studio

Visions of gingerbread adorn this kitschy tablescape. A bright red runner placed over a plain white cloth lays the groundwork for candy canes, cookies and sweet mice that dot the length of the table, along with rustic “trees” made from kid-friendly felt. Taking a cue from the snowy “icing” on the Victorian-style buildings, the white plates keep the aesthetic from going over the top. Chunky glass-ware is the perfect match for this retro-inspired theme.

 

Photography, Foodivine studio

1. Dacat Linen TABLECLOTH in White, 51” x 70”, $380, ferme humminghill.com. 2. Red TABLE RUNNER, 72” x 13”, $27, casa luca.com. 3. Upplaga 18-piece DINNERWARE SET in White, $70, ikea.ca. 4. Menagere 24-piece FLATWARE SET in Silver and Walnut, $58, zonemaison.com. 5. Crystal Lowball GLASSES, $22 each, buknola.com. 6. Satiny NAPKINS in Cherry Red, $24/pair, simons.ca. 7. Red Wood Beads GARLAND, 60”, $15, veronneau.com. 8. Ceramic GINGERBREAD HOUSE, $20, homesense.ca. 9. Red Felt Christmas TREE DECORATIONS, small, $17, large, $22, casaluca.com. 10. White Felt Fir TREE DECORATIONS, small, $9, medium, $11, large, $13, casaluca.com. 11. Ashland Gingerbread church and Small GINGERBREAD HOUSE, $40 each, michaels.ca. 12. Gingerbread Mouse FIGURINES, $19 each, veronneau.com. 13. Gingerbread COOKIES, sweetisabelle.com. 14. CAKE STAND, $55, walmart.ca.

Dark drama

Coal-black linens and tableware in matte textures set off the minimal pops of colour on this formal table. It’s a refined look that’s ideal for a smaller, intimate dinner party. Hits of bronze, tan and gold act as a foil for the inky pieces; using pale greens or silvers would work equally as well. Curvy organic shapes allow the eye to move over the scene so that it doesn’t appear too stiff or static. The addition of a whimsical place card holder lightens it all up.

 

Photography, Foodivine studio

 

Photography, Foodivine studio

1. TABLECLOTH in Black, 60” x 90”, $40, simons.ca. 2. Mayne 16-piece DISH SET in Terracotta, $179, urbanbarn.com. 3. Uno Salad PLATES in Granite, $14 each, zonemaison.com. 4. Amber WINE GLASSES, $8 each, urbanbarn.com. 5. Amber Old-Fashioned GLASSES, $7 each, urbanbarn.com. 6. Tillagd 20-piece CUTLERY SET in Black, $70, ikea.ca. 7. Linen NAPKINS in Black, $32/pair, confettimill.com. 8. Gold and Black Jewel Christmas ORNAMENTS, $23 each, veronneau.com. 9. Mini Champagne Christmas ORNAMENTS, $10/12-piece set, veronneau.com. 10. Aluminum Black CANDLESTICK, 9”, $19, Metal Black CANDLE-STICK, 9”, $16, veronneau.com. 11. tealight HOLDERS, $14.50 each, vdevmaison.com. 12. Godfrey Mouse CARD HOLDERS, $14 each, vdevmaison.com. 13. Ceramic SALAD BOWL in Black, $35, livom.ca. 14. Kimono SALAD SERVERS in Black and Gold, $30/2-piece set, zonemaison.com. 15. Rustic CANDLES in Sand, $2.25 each, vdevmaison.com.