Decking the halls has come to represent a whole lot more than just a sprig of mistletoe here or a garland of tinsel there. It’s safe to say that Gen Z has taken interior design and DIY decorating to untold new heights in recent years.
Whether inspired by Karin Joy on TikTok or the re-emergence of MTV Cribs-style home tours thanks to Architectural Digest, it feels as though we’re always looking for new ways to make home improvements.
Nevertheless, it’s important to be mindful when it comes to micro trends, which are just as prevalent in the design world as they are in fashion. Rather than promoting a sustainable purchase model focused on quality and longevity, microtrends such as checkerboard accessories, Lego coffee tables and esoteric fairy lights in the shape of toadstools represent a buy-now, regret-later approach – one that Marie Kondo and Kim Woodburn certainly would not approve of.
This isn’t to say you can’t go ahead and deck those halls in preparation for the upcoming festive season – far from it. However, we suggest investing in high-quality pieces that can be used for years to come, rather than designs that you’ll tire of by the time Easter rolls around.
Top tips include purchasing subtly festive, reusable table linens which can be brought out on special occasions throughout the year. If you’re not a fan of a green and red colour combination for a solid 364 days of the year, there are plenty of other festive colourways to choose from that you won’t want to throw away after just one use.
Likewise, when it comes to table decorations and statement candles, go for options made from easily recyclable and sustainably sourced materials.
We’ve created an edit of the best Christmas table decorations and accessories that are designed to go the distance.
Shop our top festive tablescaping pics below.
John Lewis Star Glass Side Plate, 21cm, Dark Blue
Featuring a constellation of hand-painted silver stars, this side plate has been crafted from machine-spun glass to form a textured piece with delicately scalloped edges. Especially brilliant for the festive period but a beautiful piece of dinnerware to use year-round, this side plate is also available as a largeplatter and a serving bowl.
Buy now £11.20, John Lewis
Sophie Conran Mistletoe 12 Piece Dinner Set
Sophie Conran’s elegant porcelain dinnerware is now available with a beautiful, subtle mistletoe design. Subtle enough for year-round use, yet festive enough to elevate your Christmas tablescape twelve-fold – this set is a December must-have.
Buy now £135.37, Portmerion
Catherine Martin for Anthropologie Starry Night Marble Bar Serving Board
Designed by Catherine Martin for Anthropologie, this blush pink and gold star-adorned serving board will instantly make any cheese board look as though it’s come straight from the kitchen of a five-star hotel.
Buy now £78.00, Anthropologie
Set Of Six Blossom Glasses
This set of six colourful glass tumblers from Graham & Green features a sandblasted blossom pattern which offers a festive edge when styled correctly. Think: sprigs of rosemary and mistletoe in matching, technicolour vintage glass jars.
Buy now £98.00, Graham & Green
Klimchi Hobnail Glass Jug
A timeless piece crafted using an intricate mouth-blown technique, the Klimchi Hobnail Glass Jug in green is the perfect water vessel for any Christmas table spread.
Buy now £89.00, Anthropologie
Olive, Pistachio & Mineral Table Bundle
One of Bed Threads’ most popular colour combinations, the pistachio, olive and mineral hues of this table bundle can be styled to serve as a brilliant festive table base, and can further be re-used time and time again throughout the year.
Buy now £184.50, Bed Threads
John Lewis Christmas Tree Border Cotton Napkins, Set of 4, White/Green
Bordered by adorable little Christmas trees, these reusable white cotton napkins are sure to elicit some oohs and aahs from your dinner guests.
Buy now £9.00, John Lewis
Anna + Nina Christmas wreath stripe-pattern organic-cotton tablecloth
Known for eccentric, kaleidoscopic designs, Anna + Nina has certainly hit the mark with this delightful pinstripe organic cotton tablecloth, featuring a graphic Italian-inspired wreath at the centre and the borders.
Buy now £80.00, Selfridges
Anna + Nina Six Geese A Laying graphic-print organic-cotton napkins set of two
Mismatch your pinstripe tablecloth from Anna + Nina with these silly as geese, incredibly chic napkins.
Buy now £10.00, Selfridges
John Lewis Sparkle Round Braided Placemats, Set of 4, Silver
Sometimes a garish placemat runs the risk of overwhelming your perfectly curated tablescape. However, if you can’t resist the pull of festive, glittery tableware – we recommend going for these slightly more low-key silver braided placemats from John Lewis.
Buy now £10.00, John Lewis
Let it Snow bauble and sprig glass place card holders set of six
Elevate your name card game with these gorgeous glass baubles filled with sprigs of faux fir.
Buy now £10.00, Selfridges
Dahlia-stem branch Christmas decoration 65cm
Available in a variety of colours, we’re simply enthralled by these ultra-realistic faux Dhalia stems by Selfridges, which are a whopping 65cm long – though you’re free to trim them to fit your personal collection of vases.
Buy now £18.00, Selfridges
Small Glass Bud Vases
These vintage-inspired miniature vases won’t take up so much room on your Christmas table that your guests struggle to share food but will add a glorious botanical touch to your decorations. Fill them with sprigs of fir or mistletoe.
Buy now £10.99, Etsy
Honeycomb Lightbulb paper decorations pack of six
Save electricity and the planet in one fell swoop with these de-light-ful honeycomb bulb decorations.
Buy now £26.00, Selfridges
Winter Table Garland Faux Berry White/Bronze Pre-Lit LED Dining Table Centrepiece
Offered in two magical styles, this pre-lit Christmas centrepiece will be the envy of all of your festive dinner guests.
Buy now £22.05, Etsy
Wooden Nutcracker Room Decoration
No Christmas mantlepiece is complete without a nutcracker, though this option from M&S is dainty enough to guard your Christmas dinner table – standing at just 37.8cm.
Buy now £15.00, M&S
Mini Christmas Trees Pack of 8
A value-for-money means of decorating your Christmas dinner table, this gorgeous set of miniature frosted Christmas trees is also available in green, gold, or a combination of all three colours.
Buy now £2.99, Amazon
Gold Wave Candle Holder
Finished with antiqued gold, this gorgeous undulating candlestick holder will serve as a brilliant dinner party centrepiece for birthdays and festive occasions alike.
Buy now £26.95, Graham & Green
Talking Tables Boho Spiral Dinner Candles, Pack of 4, Red/Green
Twisty candles are all the rage, and these festive red and green tapered candles from Talking Tables are sure to sell out fast this season. Grab them while you can.
Buy now £20.00, John Lewis
Matty & Maisie Mouse Tea Light Holders
Plucked straight from a fairytale, these little mice will light up your Christmas dinner table with magical flare.
Buy now £35.00, Graham & Green
