How to create an awesome Christmas dinner table
No matter what you’re serving for lunch or dinner on the big day this year, it will always be a magical feast when you have the perfect Christmas table decorations. Christmas is all about family, so now’s the time to start planning that awesome festive table that the whole family will still be talking about next Christmas! Not sure where to start? Don’t worry - here we share our favourite tips and tricks that will really help you to up your table setting game this Christmas.
Pick a theme and keep it simple
Picking a theme is the first thing you should do when thinking of creating an awesome Christmas table for the family lunch or dinner. Once you’ve picked one, make sure to stick to it. Having a mish-mash of different styles is never going to be as effective as a simple, elegant style. Whether you keep to variants of a colour, go Australiana or create a winter wonderland, once you’ve decided on a theme, everything else will fall into place for an awesome Christmas lunch.
Use Australia’s native plants
Australia is abundant with beautiful native plants such as waratah, wattle, gumnuts, eucalyptus, banksia, kangaroo paw, and many more. If you’d like a theme that’s earthy and natural, this one’s for you. Create an Australiana setting using our native plants. Scatter a mixture of green and red native plants throughout the centre of the table and use crisp white crockery to make the colours really pop. Make your own simple Christmas napkin holders by using some red and green ribbon then place a tiny sprig from your Christmas tree under the ribbon. Add some candles to the table and you’re done! This truly Australian-inspired table setting is beautiful and full of character, and it will add a refreshing scent to your dining room, without overpowering the aroma of your Christmas dinner.
Bring the beach to your dining room
While people living in the northern hemisphere wouldn’t even think about spending Christmas by the beach, most Aussies wouldn’t have it any other way. But if you can’t get to the beach this Christmas, why not bring the beach to your table and create an amazingly coastal table setting! Choose organic tableware and woven placemats in neutral colours. Accessorise your table with some seashells or palm leaves. It doesn’t have to be a super shabby-chic beach look. Just add a hint of blue, turquoise, and green with some coloured crystal glasses and complement the look with gold cutlery (not expensive at all – check out eBay, Target and Kmart). You will achieve an elegant coastal setting on your table in no time at all.
Have a winter Christmas table
Hot weather and beaches aside, the traditional Christmas around the world is white, so even down under a winter-themed Christmas table is a wonderful idea. It’s super simple too because your theme is all white! Start with a white tablecloth and napkins. Layer your white plates – dinner plate, side plate and dessert plate - and then scatter some white baubles, miniature snowmen decorations and candles through the centre of the table to create the perfect winter look.
Black is beautiful
White is wonderful but black is beautiful, and the darker colour can really make everything else burst with colour. Use a black tablecloth, black plates, serving platters and candles, then contrast it with some beautiful white napkins and native Banksias or holly sprigs with red berries along the centre of your table.
Don’t forget the Christmas crackers
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some Christmas crackers scattered around the table but don’t waste your money on the store-bought variety (really, who wants a lame joke and a paper hat anyway?). Here’s how to create your own crackers to decorate your table this Christmas.
You’ll need some cracker snaps, so head down to your local Spotlight store or check out eBay. You’ll also need festive paper, toilet rolls tubes and some small but exciting things to put inside your crackers – think personalised key rings, tiny bottles of perfume or aftershave, scratch cards, hair bling or chocolates.
To make your Christmas crackers, start by taping a cracker snap through the centre of each roll. Cut your paper into A4 size sheets then place a toilet roll tube in the centre of the long edge and secure with sticky tape, roll up and secure with more tape. Scrunch one end and tie off with a small piece of ribbon - then slide your gifts inside the tube and tie off the other end. You can also add name tags if you want for that more personalised touch to your crackers.
Have a Merry Christmas!
From the team here at Safe Financial, we wish you a very merry Christmas. Whatever theme you pick for your Christmas table, your family will no doubt be wowed by your awesome Christmas style. We know your Christmas feast, table and gifts can put some extra financial pressure on your monthly budget, so if you’re feeling a little stretched at this time of year, we can lend a hand. Just check out our flexible cash loans from $1,000 - $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours - so you can go completely stress-free this Christmas!