2 Simple Holiday Table Settings

We’ve dreamed up two fun ways to deck out your table this season: One vintage, one modern.
Holiday Table Settings 2 Ways
Loading Video...

Don’t greet your holiday guests with the same old table setting. Mix it up with two fun table settings that are festive enough for a party but simple enough for a small seasonal gathering. Read on as we break down both looks.

Look 1: Vintage Christmas

Our first take on a holiday table was inspired by vintage Christmas decor. This retro look features red, white and mint.

Retro Holiday Table Setting Theme

Vintage Red-and-White Holiday Table Setting

As seen on HGTV Crafternoon, this sweet holiday table setting was inspired by vintage christmas decor. This retro look features red, white and mint, with repurposed cookie jars standing in for traditional vases.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Start with a simple butcher paper base and a sparkling red runner. Add mint green bottle brush and mercury glass trees to capture the vintage vibe in one of the season’s hottest hues. Repurpose cookie jars as a cute vases for red and white flowers.

Retro Holiday Table Setting Theme

Vintage Red-and-White Holiday Table Setting

As seen on HGTV Crafternoon, this sweet holiday table setting was inspired by vintage christmas decor. This retro look features red, white and mint, with repurposed cookie jars standing in for traditional vases.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

A cute cake stand is the base of this table’s centerpiece: a giant snow globe! Add battery-powered LED lights, top with Epsom salt "snow" and add mini bottle brush trees, animals and vintage finds.  

Retro Holiday Table Setting

Cake Stand Turned Snow Globe

A cute cake stand stands in as this table’s centerpiece & a giant snow globe! Add battery-powered LED lights, top with Epsom salt “sand” and add mini bottle brush trees, animals and vintage finds.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Start each place setting with an organic polka dot placemat. Top it off with blue vintage-inspired dishes, red-and-white napkins and a cheery retro coaster.

Retro Holiday Table Setting Theme

Vintage Red-and-White Holiday Table Setting

As seen on HGTV Crafternoon, this sweet holiday table setting was inspired by vintage christmas decor. This retro look features red, white and mint, with repurposed cookie jars standing in for traditional vases.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Steal Santa's cookie plate to house coordinating sweets, like these red velvet cupcakes. Let the vintage party begin!

Retro Holiday Table Setting With Cupcakes

Vintage Red-and-White Plate With Cupcakes

As seen on HGTV Crafternoon, this sweet holiday table setting was inspired by vintage christmas decor. A retro cookie plate is the perfect vessel for cute red velvet cupcakes.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Look 2: Palm Springs Holiday

Feeling more modern? This sophisticated, black-and-gold party theme gets a fun twist from bold geometric accents and colorful cacti.  

Modern Black and White Holiday Table Setting

Palm Springs-Inspired Holiday Table Setting

As featured on HGTV Crafternoon, this sophisticated, black-and-gold party theme gets a fun twist from bold geometric accents and streamlined black-and-white accents. Cute potted cacti stand in for traditional flower arrangements.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Now it’s time to set the table with black, white and gold. This look starts with a black-and-white runner layered with lots of tall, white candlesticks. Mix candlestick and pillar candle sizes for a designer look.

For a fun twist on classic holiday décor, tuck mini cacti inside bright candleholders, or add a colorful cactus arrangement right in the center of the table.

Modern Black and White Holiday Table Setting

Palm Springs-Inspired Holiday Table Setting

As featured on HGTV Crafternoon, this sophisticated, black-and-gold party theme gets a fun twist from bold geometric accents and streamlined black-and-white accents. Cute potted cacti stand in for traditional flower arrangements.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

If you haven’t heard of himmeli ornaments, prepare to be obsessed. Use black plastic straws and colorful yarn to create a simpler, sturdier version of the Finnish ornaments, which are traditionally made from straw. Create a bunch for a graphic hanging centerpiece.

Wood chargers painted with geometric shapes add bold hues beneath each place setting.

How to Paint Wood Chargers

Geometric Wood Chargers

Take wood chargers from basic to to bright by using painter's tape and bold paint hues.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Liz Gray ©© 2013 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Liz Gray, © 2013 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Riffing on the geometric vibe, rock candy doubles as place card and favor.  Add a section of gold washi tape, trim the ends in a pennant shape and write each guest’s name.

Blue Rock Candy Place Card

Rock Candy Place Card

Let place cards double as a sweet treat for guests at your next dinner party. Add a section of washi tape to the rock candy's stick, trim cut the ends, then write each guest’s name.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Add a sparkling touch to each glass with a gold sugar rim. Simply dip the edge of each glass in about a quarter-inch of water, then dip in sugar.

Modern Black and White Holiday Table Setting

Palm Springs-Inspired Holiday Table Setting

As featured on HGTV Crafternoon, this sophisticated, black-and-gold party theme gets a fun twist from bold geometric accents and streamlined black-and-white accents. Cute potted cacti stand in for traditional flower arrangements.

From: HGTV Crafternoon

Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Andrew McGary, © 2014 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Cheers to two new ways to celebrate this season!

Next Up

Set a Colorfully Mod Table With DIY Geometric Wood Chargers

Take wood chargers from basic to bright in less than an hour using bold paint hues and painter's tape.

On TV

Good Bones

6am | 5c

Good Bones

7am | 6c

Good Bones

8am | 7c

Good Bones

9am | 8c

Good Bones

10am | 9c
On Tonight
On Tonight

Unsellable Houses

6pm | 5c

House Hunters

11pm | 10c

House Hunters

11:30pm | 10:30c

Rock the Block

12am | 11c

House Hunters

2:30am | 1:30c

House Hunters

4:30am | 3:30c

House Hunters

5:30am | 4:30c
What's Hot

Home Town

All new January 7 at 8|7c

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.

Luxury Home Giveaways

HGTV Smart Home

A sophisticated Southwestern home in Santa Fe, New Mexico

HGTV Dream Home

A modern mountain getaway in Morrison, Colorado

HGTV Urban Oasis

A Southern-inspired escape in Louisville, Kentucky