A Feast For The Eyes

Sandra Smith consults the experts on how to set up the Christmas dinner table

We all want an ideal Christmas where everything flows smoothly. We spend a lot of time over Christmas dinner so the table needs to be a special place, a really important part of the décor.”

Lin Fitch echoes the thoughts behind every home maker’s plans this December. Her own table will include a combination of family heirlooms such as linen napkins, reflecting her ethos as a professional Christmas decorator that the key ingredient is to make your table personal to you. “There are traditions which every family has, whether they realise it or not,” she continues. “As you start to build up a table, make those bits, such as your great aunt’s cutlery, special.”

Tablecloths, Lin stresses, are the foundation upon which the remainder of the décor evolves. A baseline white can be strikingly enhanced by a runner in bold red, for instance, or one with a neutral background and red leafy pattern. Bright green is popular again this season while purple also retains an ongoing appeal. For Lin, centre pieces which project a real wow factor are attractive when veering towards the natural. “Foliage such as ivy from the garden in a simple, plain vase is brilliant. And you can sprinkle things like glittery stars and confetti around the table. I use white or cream candles. Red ones, unless they are very good, tend to be white underneath. But if you have children or old people around the table there is a safety aspect to consider – in that case LED lights add atmosphere.”