From the wreath placed on the door of the house to the bedding in the bedroom, and with simple gestures, you can achieve festive atmospheres for family gatherings and friends.
At the Christmas table you can mix original dishes from old crockery or create still lifes with cheeses, nuts or breads, even handmade paper decorations, seasonal fruits such as pomegranates, grapes or persimmons, or dry branches or pineapples.
The alternatives within our reach are as infinite as the creativity to achieve interesting results.
Small details in gold, silver, red or forest green, which are undoubtedly the most Christmassy colours, can shine in a special way in the company of the best ally in these celebrations: candles.
In addition to warming up the atmosphere (and lowering the electricity or gas bill a bit) and reflecting golden sparkles, they fill eyes with shine and are affordable accessories.
One detail: it is better to choose them without aroma so as not to alter the organoleptic sensations of drinks and food.
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The most accredited interior designers and stylists confirm these ideas.
For Piluca Hueso, from the Rue Vintage 74 store, “very special” tables can be achieved by playing with objects that we may have at home.
"My infallible advice is always to play with the light of the candles and if, in addition, we have chandeliers, they will bring a lot of harmony to the table," she says.
To pay attention to preparing the dishes and receiving guests, the creator of this
concept store
believes that no major complications are needed.
"Placing some balls from the same tree as the house, interspersing them, for example, with some magnolia leaves, even with various fruits, such as pomegranates, will give an elegant and magical result for such a special dinner," explains Hueso.
"The fruits look wonderful, as if it were a still life, with a touch of cloth moistened with olive oil," adds the expert.
An easy trick.
Leaves, balls and candles, the perfect trio for Rue Vintage 74. On loan from Rue Vintage 74
Among the proposals for Christmas tables, Toni Espuch, from AzulTierra, highlights his commitment to "a style with rustic airs" for those who celebrate Christmas in the countryside or in the mountains and "another more urban option" for those who spend the Christmas in the city.
This creator opts for creating still lifes inspired by nature, with wooden or bark bowls, and for composing centerpieces that mix branches and bunches of grapes, an easy combination to achieve and spectacular results the larger the vase in which it is placed. install eg.
Tartan as a trend for a Christmas table, according to Gancedo. Courtesy of Gancedo
As for textiles, this year the firm Gancedo proposes a Christmas collection where tablecloths made of linen with neutral colors prevail to introduce an organic key where the tartan check placemats, made of wool, provide "a touch of color and sophistication to a table with a timeless vocation”, they comment.
The interior designer María Villalón, from Villalón Studio, comments that there must be “coherence and a plot line between the tablecloth, crockery, cutlery and decorative elements”.
Large decoration surfaces recommend following specific styles and opting for them in all accessories.
For Villalón, the ideal scenario is to choose a Christmas tablecloth with a white background and a print with a touch of green and red, plain napkins in tune with the tablecloth or with a small wink in those same colors.
"You have to take advantage of these meetings to put out the best tableware because it is an occasion to celebrate," she says.
As for the plates, adds the expert, it should be used depending on the type of tablecloth chosen.
To choose the centerpiece, Villalón recommends placing an "elongated and oval" object if the table is rectangular or "crown type" if it is round.
"I would add the holly from the nursery, which always triumphs, and the candles, which are essential in any Christmas centerpiece because they add a very warm touch and create a magical atmosphere," he says.
Less is more, also at the table.
A Westwing gamble for Christmas.Courtesy of Westwing
A detail that is not demanding, but says a lot about the person who sets the table, are the signs with the names of the guests.
It is a resource available to everyone and only requires basic skills in manual labor.
Christmas is an opportunity to care for others through sensitivity in little things.
In this sense, Villalón believes that details such as the cutlery, crockery and bread plate are important.
“It is important that everything is well placed”, and as a reminder of good practices, he explains the protocol to be followed: the cutlery is placed according to how it is used during the meal;
the first, on the outside.
On the right side, from the outside in, place the spoon, the fish knife and the meat knife (with the edge always inwards).
On the left side, the fish fork,
and attached to the plate, the meat.
At the top of the plate, with the handle to the right, is the dessert spoon, while the dessert fork is configured with the handle to the left.
One detail: it is better to choose unscented candles so as not to alter the organoleptic sensations of drinks and food.
Regarding the best place to place the napkin, it depends on tastes and for Villalón the best place is in the Christmas napkin ring and on top of the plate.
"To finish, a plate of bread on the upper left side and glasses of wine and a glass of water on the right," she concludes.
In short, protocol, available resources and aesthetic balance are key to the perfect Christmas tables to gather to toast the holidays.