A large winter holiday table decoration spread with red decorative plates, tall wine glasses, and foliage and candles on the table runner.

The dinner parties that are most memorable are the ones filled with smiles, laughs, and pure joy. While we can’t guarantee you’ll have a dreamy experience each and every dinner party, we can help you create an environment that makes the happy memories even more lasting. By following the simple steps below, you’ll be on your way to having a table setting visitors will talk about for years to come.


The Foundation:
The middle of your table is nearly always the best place to start. It’s what your visitors’ eyes will be drawn to and should invite your guests to let their conversations linger longer. Lay out some greens from the farmers market which will add interesting textures and natural elements. You could also opt for velvet or plaid fabric from the local craft store. There’s no need to sew anything! Just fold the edges under and bunch it up to create a billowing effect.

The Collection:
Your collection of objects should all carry a similar theme. This may be trees, Santas, ornaments, reindeer, or anything else that you happen to have a good number of. Interweave them up and down the table with your foundational level element. Depending on the collection, make sure to spread out the colors and add some variety.

The Place Setting:
When it comes to the actual place setting, we believe in a full maximalist approach. The use of lots of silverware makes guests feel like they’re dining at Buckingham Palace with the Queen. Additional glasses also create the same feeling. Regardless of what you’re drinking, having two glasses at each setting will reflect the flickering candlelight and help establish a perfectly moody space. Another tip we like to use is layering plates. Put a smaller decorative plate on top, which is the plate you’ll use for dessert. Larger machine washable plates should go underneath and be used for the main course.

Follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll be golden.

Shop Our Holiday Dinner Party Favorites:
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate and/or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy at the bottom of this post.

Disclosure Policy:
This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.
Affiliate links may be used in some of our posts. We earn a small commission when you purchase through these links, but at no extra cost for you.