As the holiday season rolls around, we're inundated with hosting opportunities; from Christmas to Friendsmas, Betwixmas to New Year's Eve. And as every good dinner party host knows – the table is the heart of the soirée.
Nothing sets the tone for a festive gathering quite like a well-styled table, but it doesn't mean you have to enlist a hoard of Martha Stewart-style caterers or break the bank on decadent centerpieces and tablescaping wares.
A few new buys can go a long way in elevating your holiday setup. I've spent precious pre-Christmas hours searching for my favorite low-budget finds that will help you perfect The Great Holiday Tablescape. Here's everything I've found.
Chic buys to elevate your holiday tablescapes
Creating a tablescape that makes your guests ooh and aah and makes picture-perfect memories shouldn't mean you have to overspend. After all, it's the week before Christmas and budgets are already tight.
But budget-friendly holiday hosting doesn't have to mean cheap and cheerful. Think about items that can be reused or reimagined for different holidays and celebrations, good quality pieces that give you bang for your buck.
With the right finds, you can transform your table into a Pinterest-worthy display. Here are 15 of my favorites.
Beautiful salt and pepper grinders will impress your guests as they're passed around the table. These copper vintage-inspired grinders can then be used to try your kitchen countertop.
Nothing says party quite like Sir Elton. These four embroidered cocktail napkins make a fantastic gift or a talking point at cocktail hour.
For the center of your New Year's Eve table, these mineral wax candles by Terrain can be purchased in two sizes and all numbers to create a stylish dedication to 2025.
Grab yourself a pack of pre-tied satin or velvet bows from Amazon and add them to the stems of your champagne flutes, cocktail glasses, and use them to adorn your napkins at the table in place of napkin rings.
If you're in need of new flatware, Juliska's bamboo stainless steel cutlery will elevate any setting. Including 5 pieces, everything is made from stainless steel and is dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up.
Etched with a scattered constellation of stars, this set of two coupes is perfect for New Year's and Christmas celebrations. I'd be thrilled to unwrap these under the tree, too.
Hand-drawn tablecloths are all the rage this year, but if your illustration skills aren't up to the task, this hand-embroidered table runner has been handmade in Ireland to add a playful touch to your gathering.
Your loved ones will be suitably impressed by your home-mixed cocktails if they've been accessorized with something as beautiful as these shell-adorned cocktail swizzle sticks.
A table isn't complete without taper candles in my opinion. Nothing screams style quite like Loewe's all-wax candles, made from 100% vegetable wax they provide a striking scent to your party.
The 'Benedita' range at Anthropologie features many bow-adorned pieces like these four glazed stoneware side plates that have been embossed with charming motifs for an on-trend table.
The most fashionable hostesses are sourcing stainless steel coupes for serving cocktails or desserts this year. Made by design Louise Roe, this coupe has a sculptural, modern shape that will be the talk of the table.
Holiday tables tend to be awash with dips and condiments, so be sure to serve them in style in something like this unique oyster-shaped dip dish that comes with a driftwood spoon.
H&M is filled with plenty of affordable candles that you can snap up in multiples to style along the middle of your table and around your home for soft, ambient candlelight.
To make your table settings feel more elevated, always start with a placemat or charger plate. Sealed in glass, real dried hydrangea buds have been used to decorate this whimsical charger.
To finish the night with a decadent dessert, this ornate cake server is made from brass to look like an heirloom or antique piece and comes with a drawstring bag to keep it pristine.
With a mix of creativity, a dose of thoughtful design choices, and a dash of affordable yet stylish pieces, you can host your guests in style this party season without going over budget. And, once you’ve added your own personal touch, your table will feel all the more beautiful. Happy hosting!
