A beautifully-set table is crucial to your holiday entertaining. However, unless it’s a formal affair, you don’t necessarily have to use good china and crystal; and that will be great news to those who don’t have good china and crystal. Furthermore, because some people don’t even have full sets of dishes or glasses, the even-better news is that mixing and matching tableware happens to be a big trend right now.

Actually, all you need is creativity. If you don’t have a Christmas tablecloth, you can easily turn a plain, solid-colored cloth into one, by using Christmas place mats and napkins, along with red, green, or gold doilies. No holiday plates or glassware? Get the doilies in several sizes and put them under plates, bowls, glasses, and between cups and saucers, and tie ribbons around the stems of wine glasses.

A striking centerpiece is essential as well, but, once again, you don’t have to spend any money; just use things that are already in your home or backyard. Fill a clear bowl with ornaments or foil-wrapped party favors, or use evergreen and/or berry branches, and some pine cones, tied up with ribbons. Gild some pine cones to make gorgeous place card holders.

Candles are also important, and can be of different sizes and colors. Place them on mirrors for extra shine, float votives in a clear bowl, or use your odd dishes, especially ones with winter scenes, as candle holders.

Many people have a few, mismatched pieces of Depression-era glass, which, in colors such as blue, amethyst, pink, green, gold, and yellow, will be anything but depressing on a holiday table.

If it’s a sit-down dinner, keep the centerpiece low enough so that people can see each other and converse across the table. If you’re having a buffet and people are scattered throughout the house, don’t be shy about using picnic table benches, patio chairs, folding chairs, or even ottomans, for extra seating. If you have enough space, you can even bring in your picnic table or outdoor dining set, and decorate it, too.

These are just a few of the hundreds – nay, thousands – of things that you can do to make your home, your table, and your party, bright, festive, warm, and welcoming.

In fact, I hope that describes your entire holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Kathy