By this time in December, you’ve likely already adorned the tree, picked out the perfect gifts, and are now turning your attention to the final preparations for the big day. As many of us begin to focus on setting the festive table, there’s something irresistibly charming about tableware that evokes the warmth of childhood Christmases.
Despite the abundance of modern options available, nostalgic designs – whether patterned plates or delicate glassware – bring a comforting sense of familiarity to the table. This season, shoppers are gravitating towards pieces that feel both timeless and playful, creating a dining experience that’s as visually captivating as it is inviting.
Christmas decorating is all about the details, and the table often serves as the centrepiece of festive gatherings. Layering vintage-inspired china with coordinating glassware and whimsical serving pieces instantly elevates the setting. These nostalgic designs provide a perfect way to blend traditional charm with contemporary flair.
What makes this trend especially meaningful is its ability to combine sentiment with style. Whether it's a set of plates adorned with holly and berries, tumblers featuring festive motifs, or serving bowls that feel as though they’ve been passed down through generations, each piece adds a unique personality and warmth to the table.
Long-forgotten plates, tumblers, and serving bowls that once quietly gathered dust in cupboards are now stepping into the festive spotlight. Tableware from Christmases past – once dismissed as old-fashioned or consigned to the history books – is enjoying a triumphant return. Nostalgic Christmas pieces are riding the wave of the nostalgia-core trend, which has been shaping interiors, fashion, and lifestyle choices across the UK. This season, shoppers are drawn to familiar patterns, playful motifs, and heirloom-inspired designs that evoke warmth, comfort, and joy.
Christmas decorating has never felt so fun – or so sentimental. If you’re hosting this year and want your table to feel classic, cosy, and infused with festive charm, these are the pieces to invest in. Layer vintage-inspired plates with modern glassware, tactile linens, and whimsical serving pieces to create a tablescape that is both stylish and inviting. Every setting tells a story, sparks conversation, and gives guests that heartwarming sense of holiday nostalgia.
Shop Nostalgic Christmas Tableware
In my opinion, every household should have a large silver platter for serving the Christmas goose or turkey. The rising popularity of vintage items – silverware in particular – reflects the growing nostalgic trend in festive entertaining. This platter is a true classic: while it may be a little pricey, it is a timeless piece that can be cherished and passed down through generations as a family heirloom.
Use as many taper candles as you can – this is the only hard-and-fast rule I have for setting the Christmas table. My top choice? These Danish taper candles, available in a delightful array of colours, though a deep burgundy would perfectly complement this look.
Since Pottery Barn arrived in the UK, we’ve been captivated by their nostalgia-core Christmas decor. Their festive tableware is equally charming, with each piece evoking the warmth and sentimentality of a Christmas from years past.
Everything Villeroy & Boch creates seems to be lifted straight from a Christmas fairy tale, and these festive Christmas toy plates are no exception. Each piece is exquisitely delicate, making it the kind of special tableware you bring out only once a year to make the season feel truly magical.
You simply can’t go wrong with a classic plaid tablecloth, and Pottery Barn is the go-to for anyone who adores the plaid Christmas aesthetic. This timeless design could have been lifted straight from the set of Home Alone and is guaranteed never to fall out of style.
I usually stick to silver napkin rings, but the new designs from Rebecca Udall immediately caught my eye. Their versatile style works just as beautifully in the height of summer on a white-and-green table as it does in the depths of winter, giving them truly perennial appeal.
Designed and crafted in Italy, this placemat set from Tessitura Toscana Telerie will bring warmth and wit to Christmas celebrations. They are wonderfully joyful and nostalgic, and if you have children around at Christmas, these are sure to make them smile.
Spode is a true Christmas classic, and most homes already have at least one piece of their festive serveware. If you don’t – and want to start a collection, or add to an existing one – the cream and brandy jug is currently reduced on Amazon. With its Dickensian charm, it looks as though it has stepped straight out of a Charles Dickens novel – utterly enchanting.
If you’ve fallen for this year’s big bow trend, these are a must-have. They’re selling fast, so if you love them, now is the perfect time to snap them up!
For anyone hoping to make this festive season truly memorable, investing in nostalgic Christmas tableware is about more than just plates and tumblers. It’s a chance to curate a table that feels thoughtful, charming, and personal. By mixing and matching pieces with different patterns, textures, and colours, you can create a layered, lived-in look that feels effortless yet deliberate. Even a small selection of heirloom-inspired items can elevate your table setting, adding a touch of theatricality and festive delight for guests of all ages.
