Cheap Christmas Table Decorating Ideas

holiday table setting in family dining room

Sara Ligorria Tramp

Place cards, festive napkins, and special dinnerware help set the joyous scene for a holiday meal, but the centerpiece is the real show-stopper of your table. So once you set the menu for the holiday feast, you'll want to think about decor, because seriously, the right atmosphere will make your Christmas goose taste even better. Here's where you'll find all the DIY inspiration you need for your prettiest, most festive table yet. Ahead, discover 30 holiday centerpieces and table decorations to recreate this season.

christmas table

Matthew Bees

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Scatter Small Floral Arrangements

Designer Matthew Bees made sure all eyes were drawn to the gold and green garland draping the mantel beneath an abstract artwork by keeping the table decorations simple. Some classic silver candlestick holders with cream candlesticks and scattered white florals get the job done with an air of elegant simplicity.

christmas table setting with red tablecloths

Alison Gootee

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Go Classic With Red Carnations

Styled by Sara Rodrigues and Robert Rufino for House Beautiful, this festive Christmas brunch table is easier to create than it looks. Pair grocery-store carnations with tartan patterns, cinnamon candy, classic holiday motifs, and a pattern-packed tablecloth.

Dishware, Plate, Tableware, Cutlery, Table, Textile, Linens, Platter, Napkin, Tablecloth,

Clare Winfield

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Set It Aglow With String Lights

What's more Christmas-y than string lights? They don't only belong on the tree, either.

elaborate red and orange christmas tablescape

Alison Gootee

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Use Feathers

Layer on all the patterns but keep things classic and sophisticated with timeless designs, like a harvest motif plates, metallic accents, an orange paisley-print tablecloth, and gingham napkins. Then, for the centerpiece, create an elaborate fall-hued floral arrangement. In this one styled by Robert Rufino, the feathers enhance its dramatic beauty even further.

black and white design for christmas

Emily J Followill

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Faux Metallic Florals

"As much as I love red and green, I wanted to do something a bit more glamorous and elegant this year," says designer Beth Webb of this sleek Christmas table. Mixed metals rule this tablescape, including the centerpiece. The best thing about faux metallic florals and leaves? They last forever.

Dining room, Room, Table, Furniture, Branch, Christmas decoration, Design, Interior design, Pattern, Home,

Annie Schlechter

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Lay a Plaid Backdrop

Use plaid blankets as a tablecloth for a grounded atmosphere, and then lay a garland down the center of the table. Add a few tangerines for a pop of orange.

Furniture, Dining room, Room, Table, Chair, Kitchen & dining room table, Interior design, Restaurant,

Brian Woodcock

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Warm It Up

Make your table feel textured and comfy with knitted cozies around the vases and wine bottles. With fresh white flowers, it's perfect for a white Christmas.

rustic and contemporary dining room decorated for winter holidays

Sara Ligorria Tramp

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Incorporate Faux Gingerbread Houses

Now this is how you set a festive nondenominational table. Emily Henderson jazzed up the dining room bench with a sheepskin throw, enhancing both comfort and the winter vibes. The table itself is decorated with miniature white painted houses, gray candles, and a simple linen runner.

Dishware, Plate, Table, Tableware, Food, Tablecloth, Vegetarian food, Dish, Brunch, Plant,

Courtesy of Sugar and Charm

9 of 30

Use Fir Tree Branches

Don't underestimate the power of fresh flowers and branches. Choose green and white for a simple, neutral table, but if you want something more bold, add in reds.

See more at Sugar and Charm.

Clock, Christmas ornament, Wall clock, Christmas decoration, Furniture, Interior design, Home accessories, Christmas, Plant, Ornament,

BRIAN WOODCOCK

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Get Inspired by Candy Canes

Turn your Christmas dinner table into a giant candy cane with red and white striped everything. Then add bright white flowers and red candlesticks to bring dimension to the motif.

Room, Dining room, Furniture, Green, Interior design, Table, Turquoise, Home, House, Building,

LESLEY UNRUH

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Fill a Platter With Fruit

Fill a long shallow serving bowl with fruit and then stagger some mini faux fir trees around it. Then just add a few flowers. It's just as festive and pretty as a bouquet centerpiece but a lot easier to put together.

Decoration, White, Christmas decoration, Branch, Interior design, Table, Room, Twig, Furniture, Chair,

Ngoc Minh Ngo

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Stagger Tall Vases and Candles

Instead of a horizontal runner, make things interesting with several runners hung vertically across two place settings. Then spread out candlesticks and vases of similar shapes for consistency.

Yellow, Purple, Table, Furniture, Room, Violet, Dining room, Interior design, Coffee table, Material property,

Pamela Cook/Studio D

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Make It Modern

Make your holiday centerpiece modern with burgundy flowers and black and white graphic vases. It still feels seasonally apt and the moody color scheme ensures that the dining room table is dressed for a formal meal.

Decoration, Centrepiece, Cut flowers, Flower, Red, Flower Arranging, Candle, Floristry, Bouquet, Floral design,

BRIAN WOODCOCK

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Create a DIY Vase

Create a red and white striped backdrop for your flowers with gum balls or marbles. Light pink and coral candles lighten the mood and bring a little something unexpected.

White, Branch, Centrepiece, Twig, Tableware, Table, Tree, Christmas decoration, Room, Drinkware,

Live DIY Ideas

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Holiday Gift Bags

Turn Christmas grab bags into something a bit more glam. Brush brown paper gift bags with white paint, creating a snowy scene. Stuff with pine and branches before finishing with a wrap of charm-adorned twine. Neutral, minimal, gorgeous.

Get the tutorial at Live DIY Ideas.

Meal, Dish, Food, Cuisine, Brunch, Ingredient, Supper, Recipe, Vegetarian food, À la carte food,

Brian Woodcock

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Add Unexpected Colors

A metallic runner helps warm up a white dining table for the holidays. Paired with light pink candlesticks and a white, red, and pink centerpiece, this table is feels festive without being cheesy.

glass, vase, flower, plant, drinkware, cylinder, centrepiece, branch, wildflower, table,

33 Shades of Green

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Festive Floating Flora

This vivid centerpiece takes mere minutes. Simply fill various jars with water—stop just a few inches below the brim—and add American and Michigan holly. Purchase floating candles for an added glow.

Get the tutorial at 33 Shades of Green.

White, Room, Furniture, Home, Interior design, Curtain, Property, Dining room, Yellow, Table,

Tessa Neustadt

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Consider Your Surroundings

Keep it simple with white candles and florals, as Emily Henderson did on this coastal California table.

White, Room, Table, Interior design, Furniture, Tableware, Christmas decoration, Dining room, Branch, Textile,

Zan Passante

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Introduce Some Texture

Take note from Sugar & Cloth by adding some texture to your table with a faux fur table runner. Mimicking the look of soft snow, it sets the perfect winter scene. Add bells for good measure (and to honor Rudolph's sleigh ride, of course).

Christmas decoration, Home, Interior design, Room, Christmas tree, Tree, Christmas, House, Houseplant, Interior design,

COURTESY OF WYNN MYERS

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Lay Out Ornaments

The garland adorned with ornaments makes this dining table wonderfully festive while the blue and turquoise candlesticks and glass add a fresh contemporary edge.

Branch, Christmas decoration, Tree, Table, Wood, Twig, Christmas tree, Room, Christmas, Plant,

Julie Blanner

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Winter Fruits

Play with height for this pine, pomegranate, and taper candle centerpiece. Drape sprigs of pine clippings on the tabletop and place a winter fruit like pomegranate (clementines or figs could work too) where branches meet. Stagger taper candles in a zig-zag formation to add yet another layer to this textured centerpiece.

Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.

White, Room, Dining room, Furniture, Property, Interior design, Home, Building, Table, Ceiling,

Pernille Loof

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Ditch Red

If red is going to clash with your dining room decor, avoid using it in your Christmas centerpiece. With special gold candlestick holders, fresh florals, and a wreath in the background, it will still feel on-theme. Then add a vase of plumes for a unique and textural touch.

Colorado spruce, oregon pine, Tree, Pine, Fir, Vascular plant, Evergreen, Conifer, Plant, Pine family,

The Merrythought

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Float Some Pine

Place cut sprigs of pine in skinny-necked, water-filled bottles and top with taper candles for a stunning and straightforward arrangement. It's simple and easy, yet makes all the difference.

Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.

White, Room, Interior design, Yellow, Centrepiece, Furniture, Table, Twig, Branch, Tree,

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Stick to Neutrals

This understated Christmas centerpiece from Lark & Linen is simple and easy to replicate. She calls this easy and elegant style "woodland whimsical."

Christmas decoration, Tree, Plant, Holly, Branch, Twig, Table, Christmas, Flower, Interior design,

remodelando la casa

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Epsom Salt Luminaries

Your holiday dinner looks even more appetizing thanks to the soft glow of this DIY centerpiece. The jars appear to be covered in snow, but are actually clad with epsom salt.

Get the tutorial at Remodelando la Casa.

Dining room, Room, Table, Furniture, Interior design, Brunch, Tablecloth, Home, Branch, Linens,

Liz Marie Blog

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Dough Bowl Centerpiece

Candles, draped lights, pine cones, a horse miniature, and a Christmas tree make for a dynamic visual arrangement. A rustic platter or dough bowl is the perfect way to display this arrangement.

Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.

Christmas tree, Christmas decoration, Tree, Christmas, Colorado spruce, Home, Evergreen, Houseplant, Spruce, Plant,

The North End Loft

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Mini Christmas Trees

Your Christmas tree is the center of your home's holiday decor, so make mini versions the center of your Christmas dinner table. Choose real or faux trees and place them in a wooden box. Add a cranberry garland and you're good to go.

Get the tutorial at The North End Loft.

Lighting, Candle, Centrepiece, Christmas, Room, Interior design, Christmas decoration, Table,

The Sweet Escape

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Birch Tiers

Circles of birch add a wintery effect when set against flickering votive candles. Metallic accents are always welcome during the holiday season.

Get the tutorial at The Sweet Escape.

White, Red, Flower, Icing, Buttercream, Rose, Garden roses, Petal, Bouquet, Rose family,

Not Your Standard

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Winter Roses

Get creative with the base filler of your winter floral arrangements—try filling a square vase with fake cranberries before inserting cream colored roses.

Get the tutorial at Not Your Standard.

Lighting, Glass, Plant, Grass, Flowerpot, Herb, Table, Flower, Candle,

love create celebrate

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Boxwood Wreaths

Instead of hanging your wreaths from doors, place mini ones on your table with glass pillars in the centers. It's the perfect way to jazz up your candle display.

Get the tutorial at Love Create Celebrate.