Intertain

It’s fast approaching that time of year again, when the Christmas tree goes up, the mistletoe starts to be hung, presents are wrapped and the looming dread of setting up another Christmas table can start to set in.

It is a time for friends and family, enjoying the festivities and getting in the holiday spirit, not for worrying about whether or not you have enough chairs, wine glasses and napkins.

Whether you love a crazy kitsch Christmas, packed full of gold glitter and sparkly tinsel, or simply prefer to keep it traditional and stick with the classic holly and mistletoe, follow our tips to make sure your Christmas meal will be one you and your loved ones will remember for years to come.

Once You Are At The Table, You Are At The Table

Nothing is worse than a host who is constantly jumping out of their seat to fetch this or that. A couple of extra minutes planning goes a long way in making sure you can sit, relax and enjoy yourself. Making proper use of space and figuring things out beforehand is essential. Make sure you have plenty of wine glasses and keep a corkscrew to hand, think about servings dishes, if you have many guests; split the sauces, brussel sprouts and anything else that might cause your guests to wait for the same bowl while their food goes cold.

Linen, Cloth Napkins

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to add a touch of elegance to your Christmas table is simple, white linen. A runner down the centre of the table matched with crisp cloth napkins help to add a touch of elegance. Don't worry about the napkin rings, instead use red, green or silver ribbon to tie them and add a simple festive flourish. Head down to your local linen store and keep an eye out for something a little more unusual if you really want to grab the attention of your diners. Less is more and using accentuating colours can help to add the wow factor.

Easy Festive Centrepiece

A centrepiece is a must as it draws the eye and is usually the first thing the guests see as they enter the room. But don’t think you have to break the bank or invest hours and hours of work to create something incredible. Work with the colours of your table setting, and remember to keep it simple. Cranberries submerged in water with white flowers, autumn leaves and squash, Clementines and Holly, anything seasonal will work.

Adding Those Extra Little Touches

The devil is in the details and the well thought out final touches are what your guests will remember and make the evening extra special. Make individual place cards, add a few gently flickering candles to add to the atmosphere, although always use unscented, you don't want to interfere with those incredible smells coming from the kitchen.

Set It The Day Before

We recommend that hosts should set their tables the day before. This helps to keep the stress levels low and can make sure you spot any problems early, instead of as dinner is being served! Give yourself the extra time to get everything perfect and you will have a worry-free Christmas.