Dressing Your Dining Room For The Holidays

At this time of year our “social selves” are on display. With all the stresses of the holidays – shopping, extra traffic, winter weather colds, sleep-over company (some welcome, some tolerated) and general time constraint pressures, dressing the holiday table and the room it’s in may take a back seat, especially when you’re worried about actually cooking the meal. From my vantage point, however, decorating the dining room for the holidays has gotten me, personally, through many mediocre meals with flying colors. My guests were so dazzled by the décor that the food, by association, seemed better than it really was.

So, here’s a “non-cook’s” recipe for a successful holiday dinner party.

•    Pre-set the table with a lovely cloth and your best company or holiday dishes and accessories in advance of the day. You’ve now left yourself time to change, rearrange or add things if needed. Build on the basics as you get closer, perhaps by adding greens from the outdoors.

•     Wrap some flat ribbon on your dining chairs (use metallic or holiday colors for a shimmer effect).

•    Decorate the chandelier above the table with garlands or bows.

•    Use some pretty holiday collectibles at each place. It’s a great conversation initiator.

•     Use pleasantly scented candles (make sure they’re safe) to dress the table and other serving areas in the room.

•    If you’ve located your beloved Christmas or Chanukah collectibles, put them in your dining room breakfront or on your server for all to enjoy. (It’s okay to remove some of your all year-round stuff so things don’t look cluttered).

•    Set the mood with holiday music and let it play softly in the background.

•    Most of all, try to leave time for yourself to get ready so that you can greet your company with a happy smile that tells them how much you want them to be there.

•    Don’t forget to enjoy yourself, even if things go a little awry. Remember, this holiday, this year, will never come again.

P.S. – If your home needs some new furnishings or accessories and you want to be sure you will have it in time, visit Uniquely Natalie, our beautiful quality consignment shop right in St. James for immediate delivery and a great new look for your home with amazing prices.  If you have items that others might enjoy and which you no longer consider part of your treasured possessions, consign them with us and give it a good home with someone else for the holidays.