simple christmas tablescape

Hello all you lovely people! Has the rush gotten to any of you yet? I think we’ve just been determined to take it slow with everything since Halloween, and it’s brought a sense of absolute calm to our home. We’ve done our best to skip the craziness and it’s been kinda nice. There’s something about the world shutting down with covid in it’s positive side, that we want to hold on to. Anyone else feeling that way this year? This includes the simple Christmas tablescape.

Any of you who have been around for a while, know that we love a good tablescape. {You may have seen our fun FrogTape® post earlier this week to celebrate those 2021 trends.} But our favorite way to do it, is to keep it simple. So we’re popping in with some of our fave tips, no matter how you gather {or don’t – because IT’S NOT OKAY, JANET -obligatory disclaimer here}. JK don’t get mad at me.

So without further ado, a few of our fave tips for a simple Christmas Tablescape!

Use what you have.

This entire little creation was cooked up with literally everything I had in my house. GRANTED, I do tend to have more than the average bear because it’s my job and stuff. But it was actually kinda fun to shop my house, pull together something from what I had, and use that, instead of freaking out and buying something.

Even the centerpiece was something I already owned, and I used our leftover ball ornaments for easy shots of color in the middle, layered. Wheeee! I’m a hoarder.

But seriously, give yourself permission to use whatever you have, and forgetaboutit. Gone are the days of uptight linens and matching everything. Repeat after me, we say this every time, this is not your grandmother’s table. Yes, hers was charming and nostalgic in it’s own way, but take the pressure off, is what we’re saying. And everything is good.

Layer up

It’s much easier to mix and match your plates, and alternate, if you use layers. That way, if you don’t have enough, you can try an every-other-plate thing, and no one will notice that you maybe paired copper with brass silverware. {GASP!} or scalloped with regular plates. You can also unify the mismatched with linens, which is another affordable way to bring unify to something, {hello, napkins} without buying an entirely new set of plates.

Channel your inner Martha.

I’m talking Stewart here, people. Or maybe that’s a bad analogy. Or maybe she just gets a bad wrap. What I’m saying is, don’t be afraid to get creative with place cards, table centerpieces {see above- point number one} and really just being a reformed people pleaser, breaking the rules in your own home.

We used these little place savers that we created for Thanksgiving, and had so much fun making them, the kids have already snatched them off their plates to use in their rooms as paper weights at their desk.

Or maybe your inner Picasso.

Don’t be afraid to bring in that color, baby! Think in terms of color, and ways to tie them in together in your table. From glassware, to napkins, to place cards, to plates. Pick up hues and echo them throughout, and just like the unifying napkins point above, no one will notice your mismatched-ness, so much as compliment you on all things eclectic.

Even if you go for soft neutrals, think of ways those echo throughout for a nice, peaceful table. At least until the fam arrives…

Do you.

All those little pointers and tips above to say this: keep it simple in easy ways that work for you.

There’s something about dressing up a table and making it fun, but there’s also something about keeping it simple and using paper plates if the occasion calls for safety first and eating outside. {See: Our own latest Thanksgiving.} Do you and take the pressure off. It’s the last thing you need for all things holidays. We get it. Just have fun and enjoy!

So thank you so much for tuning in today! As always, let us know if you have any questions. Or any of your own pointers to make it simple and fun! We know we can’t possibly cover them all.