Hello fun job! This holiday season, I’m working with BIG W on a series of Christmas themed posts. I had a blast looking at their fab Christmas range and my best pick this week is Battery Operated LED light set (20 lights). They are only $2 and brilliant for all kinds of festive decorations and especially the table because they set that magical tone, and don’t need to be plugged in.
When it comes to decorating the Christmas table, I start with an easy centerpiece and work my way out from there. For the middle, I like to couple every day items from around the home with festive decorations. Then, once I have the centerpiece sorted, I look at extending a theme to the rest of the table with items like napkins, name place tags and bon bons.
Decorating the Table in Three Steps
- Start with a table centerpiece theme
- Use everyday items around the home
- Introduce colour and styling through festive decorations and items
Below are ideas on how I bring these three concepts together.
1. White Christmas in a Jar
Concept: a mini fantasy world in a jar
Colour scheme: silver and gold with white highlights
Everyday items: glass cookie jar, salt, glass tumblers (or glass jars)
Festive items: gold table runner, mini Christmas trees, silver mini bonbons, small gold baubles, LED lights, candle
Tip: instead of trees, use an angel or snowman figurine inside the jar
2. Baubles in Glass (with a holly garland)
Concept: easy to bring a pop of colour and a garland ties it all in
Colour theme: traditional red and green with silver highlights
Everyday items: large vase or bowl
Festive items: red table runner, garland, baubles
Tip: bring out the silver highlights with silver napkins and bon bons
3. Stick Christmas Tree
Concept: celebrate with nature
Colour theme: natural tones with diamond (clear) highlights
Everyday items: vase or large jar, tree sticks
Festive decorations: gold table runner, potpourri balls, LED lights, silver birds, diamond tree decorations, small gold baubles
Tip: Make joke tags with paper and hang on the tree
4. Candle & Beads
Concept: bring romance, fun and colour to the table
Colour theme: pink & green with bright highlights
Everyday items: vase/candle holder
Festive decorations: beads, baubles, candle
Tip: Christmas doesn’t always have to be in traditional colours
5. Tea Candle & Glass Tumblers
Concept: Simple! 6 to 8 glasses with tea light candles lined up in the middle of the table
Colour theme: gold, gold and everything gold with glass highlights
Everyday items: glass tumblers (or empty glass jars)
Festive decorations: LED lights, tea light candles, small gold baubles
Tip: attach ribbon to mason jars and use instead of glass tumblers
6. Light Jar
Concept: sparkly lights add a touch of magic to any setting
Colour theme: gold & brown
Everyday items: large jar, bowl or vase
Festive decorations: baubles, potpourri balls, LED lights
Tip: use different coloured baubles to match any theme
7. Fruit feature
Concept: decorate the usual, because it’s Christmas
Colour theme: blue and orange with gold highlights
Everyday items: large glass bowl, oranges
Festive decorations: diamanté stickers
Tip: add eucalyptus leaves and gum nuts along a table runner and add a scattering of LED lights
8. Ice Sculpture
Concept: make your own ice sculpture
Colour theme: white, red with silver highlights
Everyday items: water, balloon, tray/plate with sides
Festive items: candle
Tip: add poinsettia or red rose petals to the balloon before adding water
Good-good times are coming.
Video
The White Christmas in a Jar setting took under 5 minutes to set up. Below is a speedy version.
Giveaway
Get organised early this Christmas with a chance to win a $100 BIG W gift voucher. (I’ll have another 3 vouchers to giveaway in the upcoming weeks).
To enter, leave a comment below to the answer to this question (and your answer could be featured as part of the BIGW_HintSquad):
What food item is essential on your Christmas table and why?
T & Cs – Must be over 18 year of age, Australian residents only, judged on merit. Please read full terms and condition in the link above
Congratulations Rebecca Roffman!
Items I used available at BIG W:
LED lights ($2), 12 silver baubles-60mm ($3), mini bon bons-8 ($4), bird decoration pack ($3), diamond drop decoration-12 ($5), bead garland ($3), table runner ($13), 20 small gold baubles-40mm ($3), 92 tree decorating pack ($15), tinsel holly garland ($5), mini tree table decoration-3 pack ($10), tea light candle-60 ($9), large pillar candle ($8), wave tumbler-6 ($8), potpourri balls pack ($18), large candle vase ($20), large glass bowl ($20)
Disclosure
This post is sponsored by BIG W. All views and materials (including photographs) produced are my own. You can read my disclosure policy here.
265 Comments
Christmas Table: Ice Feature
November 21, 2013 at 9:09 pm[…] Easy Christmas Table Centrepieces […]
Teneale Jordan
November 21, 2013 at 9:21 pmI love these ideas
Sari Baxter
November 21, 2013 at 9:21 pmMost definitely prawns. Nothing says aussie Christmas like prawns on the chrissy table
Sheridan
November 21, 2013 at 10:32 pmI totally agree with you, Sari! Absolutely nothing better than fresh prawns
Lisa Cruse
November 21, 2013 at 9:22 pmPrawns. From a young age I can remember sitting with a bucket on my lap peeling yummy bay prawns in between my go at cricket.
Claire Needham
November 21, 2013 at 9:23 pmDefinitely summer cherries… nothing says Christmas like cherries!
Jess Frisch
November 21, 2013 at 9:25 pmCassatta ice cream – it reminds me of all the effort and love my mum puts into Christmas xxoo
Leonie
November 21, 2013 at 9:27 pmApplesauce. Because for the last three years in a row we have forgotten to serve it. This year if nothing else makes it to the table but we remember the applesauce it will be a great meal!
Emma
November 21, 2013 at 9:28 pmMangos!! They taste awesome and the smell of them too me is Christmas!
ash
November 21, 2013 at 9:28 pmSalmon, It makes my family really get into the spirit of the summer holidays 🙂
Casey Allan
November 21, 2013 at 9:29 pmA huge home made pavlova with cream, mixed berries, chocolate and a toffee sauce mmmmmm! I make one every Christmas and can’t wait until my baby girl is old enough to make it with me 🙂
kerrie
November 21, 2013 at 9:30 pmMy mums trifle, reminds me of Christmas when I was little and always goes down a treat
Lee Harper
November 21, 2013 at 9:31 pmAt christmas it has to be a ham. Nothing beats the taste or says ‘Christmas’ better.
Cassie pippen
November 21, 2013 at 9:31 pmThe roast. My nan used to do roast pork, land and chicken every year .
Cassie pippen
November 21, 2013 at 9:32 pmLamb, not land… Stupid autocorrect lol
kate
November 21, 2013 at 9:35 pmit ain’t christmas with out my dad’s passionfruit and kiwi covered pavlova to finish off the christmas lunch!
KrissyO
November 21, 2013 at 9:36 pmMost definitely homemade fruit mince pies. I have been making them every Christmas since I can remember!
Donna
November 21, 2013 at 9:36 pmPavlova! With whipped cream and mango and strawberries! It’s not Christmas without one!
Katie
November 21, 2013 at 9:37 pmDefinitely ham! Lol cold, with salad as a side! Mmm yum!! Love my ham haha
Cheryl
November 21, 2013 at 9:37 pmThanks for all these awesome ideas – I’m not very creative so I love your blog.
For me it has to be Christmas pudding with custard and cream. Starting to salivate just thinking about it.
Ruth
November 21, 2013 at 9:38 pmI make a beautiful apple chutney that I warm up and it goes beautifully with roast pork or with left overs on crusty bread and cold meat the next day!! To die for!!!
Tabatha
November 21, 2013 at 9:38 pmMy grandmother (who is French) her pate. The base ingredients comes from her Grandmothers recipe and over the years she has added and removed and changed it slightly and now it is perfection on a plate
olivia
November 21, 2013 at 9:39 pmA massive bowl of Australian Prawns!
Kellie Stacy
November 21, 2013 at 9:40 pmHas to be ham. Nothing tastes better than fresh ham off the bone. And there are so many uses after omlettes,toasties,soup,pasta…But that’s only if there’s any left.
Amelia
November 21, 2013 at 9:40 pmMy mum’s brandy soaked triffle mmmm so unique to any other triffle I’ve tasted!
krystal
November 21, 2013 at 9:40 pmLove the balloon idea. Mum would love that.
Nadine maher
November 21, 2013 at 9:42 pmCherries, it’s not Christmas without them, and this year I’m making a cheesecake dip to go with them!
michelle
November 21, 2013 at 9:46 pmWow… love the ice idea. I think i will be using this idea for Christmas lunch 🙂
Annette
November 21, 2013 at 9:47 pmHave to have Ham – not Christmas without it!! and of course the Pavlova!!! Perfect ending for the meal!!
Lisa Jene
November 21, 2013 at 9:47 pmIt’s not Christmas without the silly crackers. We pull, make each other groan at the jokes and wear the less-than-flattering hats. It’s a great ice-breaker when the family hasn’t seen each other for months.
Jenna McDowell
November 21, 2013 at 9:49 pmChristmas in our family isn’t complete without a yummy Ginger Pudding and hot custard! I family favourite for sure!
michelle
November 21, 2013 at 9:50 pmessential food item would be every thing as to our Christmas lunch, every person brings something to share. Each persons puts thought and love into the preparation and making of the dish they bring, and every person at the party is essential 🙂
Denise
November 21, 2013 at 9:57 pmTRIFLE. It isn’t Christmas without it, and it isn’t Boxing Day without having the leftovers for breakfast.
Deborah Callaway
November 21, 2013 at 9:57 pmMy chocolate mud cake house! No one in my fmily eat gingerbread or traditional fruit pudding, so I make either a house or a christmas tree and christmas eve all the grand kids that are staying at nanas (we all stay chrissy eve) decorate it and present it as the middle of the table decoration christmas day. Started it 13 years ago with my nephew and my son participated for the 1st time last year, even the babies put something on it with mum or dads help. Lots of laughter and lots of fun plus a fair few lollies eaten in process!
Kacey
November 21, 2013 at 9:57 pmFromage and other soft cheeses 🙂
Belinda Baker
November 21, 2013 at 9:59 pmA ham. Cause then it is yummy ham sandwiches for lunch for the next week or so. Imagine a Homer Simpson voice “Mmmm! Hammm!”
Zoe Oliphant
November 21, 2013 at 10:03 pmGreat ideas that can be used again and again. Thanks Kelly. Will definitely have a look for the lights
Amy Wallis
November 21, 2013 at 10:05 pmA leg of ham and pudding and custard. My hubby loves the ham and the kids love the custard. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they check that everything is there.
Dee rivett
November 21, 2013 at 10:06 pmRoast veggies is a must have for Xmas lunch along with roast meats. Raised in the country and this is how we eat on Christmas Day. And anything else- is a bonus.
Amanda
November 21, 2013 at 10:10 pmDefinitely homemade potato salad. It’s a long held family tradition that has been passed down through the generations. We always make a massive batch and eat way too much!
Zoey
November 21, 2013 at 10:15 pmTrifle! I do two versions, a traditional one with jam sponge, jelly, peaches, custard, whipped cream and strawberries, and another which is chocolate cake, raspberries, chocolate mousse and topped with whipped cream and grated chocolate! My hubby enjoys any leftovers (if there are any!) for Boxing Day breakfast!
Samantha Jackson
November 21, 2013 at 10:19 pmChristmas pudding with brandy sauce and icecream. Christmas would not be the same without it.
Dani Elle
November 21, 2013 at 10:20 pmHam, because my mum and I cook it for the family together every year
lisa@tomfo
November 21, 2013 at 10:20 pmHam for sure, we order more and have it with honey and soy on the bbq for weeks after! Yum can’t wait!
Rebecca
November 21, 2013 at 10:21 pmHam! Has to be ham – as a kid we had ham for weeks after Christmas – with salad, on toast. Just wouldn’t be Christmas without it!
KC
November 21, 2013 at 10:21 pmMust have ham. It works for breakfast lunch and dinner!
Billie MacGinley
November 21, 2013 at 10:22 pmThe thing I love about Christmas besides all the goodwill and cheer is the Cashews! My Aunt always has cashews in plentiful supply on Christmas day and you can bet I’ll be sitting right in front of the bowl and won’t move til I’ve eaten them all! There is always room for the traditional Xmas lunch and dessert though!
Lisa O Sullivan
November 21, 2013 at 10:22 pmChristmas Pudding. It is a Christmas must! My mother has been making them every year since I’ve been born & before that. It’s her mothers (my grandmothers) recipe. She makes them for the whole family & it’s all my memory! Granted they have varied over the years ! ;-). But I wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Xx
Shelley
November 21, 2013 at 10:28 pmDefinitely cold ham slices! Finger food after the decadence of cutlery, especially when you’re sure you can’t possibly fit another bite in, you can still pop a tiny piece of ham in when it’s been sitting so enticingly on the table or bench…. ahh the memories.
Jess Brunskill
November 21, 2013 at 10:33 pmStone fruits! Nothing says Christmas in Australia more to me than the sweet smell of stone fruits on a hot summers day 🙂
Tracey Zvirblis
November 21, 2013 at 10:54 pmStone fruit is a must on my kitchen table…yummo!
Cathy Stone
November 21, 2013 at 11:05 pmOur Christmas food tradition is pavlova. A beautiful pavlova made with soft meringue in the middle, crunchy on the outside, decorated with whipped cream with a touch of caster sugar, fresh summer fruits, and passionfruit drizzled on top. Pavlova is our favourite Christmas dessert, we always have it every year, love making it together as a family and have had many laughs and memories created while making it. I have also passed the love of pavlova onto my children so it is a Christmas dessert that is being passed from generation to generation.
There would be something missing from our Christmas table if we did not have pavlova and when we talk about what we are having each year, it is always the top of our list and brings a huge smile to our face, such a taste sensation for our tastebuds.