Dress Your Dining Room for the Holidays

Decorating your dining room for the holidays doesn't have to be daunting. These inspiring ideas will take your room from so-so to spectacular.

By: Layla Palmer and Liz Gray

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Photo By: Marian Parsons

Dressed-Up Dining Chairs

Give dining room chairs a festive facelift by adding ribbon and seasonal elements to their backs. Once the ribbon is tied into place, use hot glue to attach faux evergreen sprigs, berries, bells or pinecones. Photo by Layla Palmer.

Beaded Swag

Adorn your buffet table with a silver beaded garland punctuated by pine cones and pieces of greenery. Use safety pins to hold the garland in place. Photo by Matthew Mead.

Restaurant-Style Menu

Give guests a pretty preview of the meal to come with a handwritten menu on an ornate chalkboard. Guests will know to save room for dessert, and you'll save yourself from being asked the age-old question, "What's for dinner?" Photo by Marian Parsons.

From: Marian Parsons

Creative Place Cards

A roll of brown Kraft paper makes for a fun and disposable table runner. Write the name of each guest on the paper near their plate and encourage them to doodle during dinner, too. Photo by Layla Palmer.

Gold-Leaf Bar Tray

Turn a plain black serving tray into a holiday focal point by lining its surface with gold leaf. Set the tray with glasses and your beverage of choice; it's portable enough to move to wherever the party ends up. Photo by Janel Beals.

Shell Chandelier

Create a coastal Christmas look by hanging lightweight, white pencil starfish from a chandelier. Secure floral wire hooks to the top of each with a small dab of hot glue. Photo by Layla Palmer.

Gift Box Centerpiece

Wow dinner guests with a pretty pile of presents in the center of the table. Wrap bricks of floral foam in brown paper and sheet moss to create the "gifts." Tie them up with a bow. Photo by Layla Palmer.

Ruffled Card Table Slipcover

Add style to extra seating with this simple, pleated slipcover. Best of all, it can be machine washed and dried, so there's no need to cry over spilled holiday wine. Photo by Marian Parsons.

From: Marian Parsons

Holiday-Perfect Napkin Rings

Create temporary, holiday-themed napkin rings by hot gluing a small scrapbooking embellishment to the tops of everyday rings. When the holidays are over, simply remove the embellishments and save them for next year. Photo By Layla Palmer.

Snowflake Table Runner

Add whimsy to your winter tabletop with a snowflake-inspired table runner. Cut a variety of different-sized snowflakes out of stiff, white felt and use hot glue to stick the edges of them together. Photo by Layla Palmer.

Gifts for Surprise Guests

A basket of beautifully-wrapped gifts serves two purposes: It's a bright, festive table centerpiece and a source of treats for unexpected guests. Fill packages with small boxes of chocolates, note pads, books or gift cards. Photo by Matthew Mead.

A Sweet Message

Use a toothpick and piece of paper cut into a banner to adorn sweet treats, like this white chocolate-peanut butter cup, with joyous holiday messages. Set them around the dining room for guests to find and enjoy. Photo by Matthew Mead.

Dress Your Dining Room for the Holidays

Related To:

Shop This Look

Dressed-Up Dining Chairs

Beaded Swag

Restaurant-Style Menu

Creative Place Cards

Gold-Leaf Bar Tray

Shell Chandelier

Gift Box Centerpiece

Ruffled Card Table Slipcover

Holiday-Perfect Napkin Rings

Snowflake Table Runner

Gifts for Surprise Guests

A Sweet Message

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