Setting the table for a festive affair is just as important as deciding on the menu, so take your time, think about the mood you want to create and enjoy the process – you’re doing it for those nearest and dearest to you after all!

Choose your colours – Deciding on a colour palette is your first and most important step as it’s likely to inform a number of other decisions you’ll be making along the way. The exciting news is that there’s absolutely no need to stick with traditional red and green (unless you’d like to, of course). These days, anything goes when it comes to holiday season colours, so think outside the box and try something new whether you opt to go big on glamour with black and gold, on trend with Millennial pink, or you decide to recreate a sophisticated scene with silver and white.

Create a centrepiece – Every festive table needs a focal point and there’s no end to what you can use to create a sensational centrepiece – everything from baubles, tinsel and fairy lights to fresh (or dried) flowers, fruit and freshly baked biscuits. If you’re short on inspiration, turn to Google for some bright ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Add the finishing touches – With your colour palette and centrepiece in place, choosing items like a tablecloth, placemats or charger plates, napkins and glassware should be easy to do. And with the essentials sorted, it’s time to draw on your creative flair once again with place names. Just remember that these too should fit your colour palette as well as the elements you’ve chosen for your centrepiece.

Has your dining room table outgrown your family? Have you thought about investing in one where new memories can be made with friends and loved ones? Family is incredibly important to all of us at Woodbender and we’d love to discuss how we can create a solid wood table for you and yours to gather around for decades to come. If you’d like to chat, please give us a call on 0860 103647 or email info@woodbender.co.za.