Nothing is more inviting during Christmas than a well set table and most people often first worry about a centerpiece to show off their dining area. However the centerpiece should be considered the icing on the cake; it is how your dining table is set that will project the kind of experience you want your diners to have. Having a beautiful tablecloth with matching placemats and napkins creates a wonderful dining atmosphere and your diners' surroundings will enhance the lively conversations and set your guests at ease.

Tablecloths

During the Christmas holidays, your table should look different from all other days. The tablecloth is your foundation, the background to an inviting table. Because the tablecloth sets the tone, you want to determine whether you want to project an atmosphere that's formal and elegant or glamorous and sensuous, or is casual and warm more your style? The themes in Christmas tablecloths can vary from trees to wreaths to Santa; there is one sure to be right for you and your dining table.

The basic purpose of placemats is to catch any smidgens of food or liquid that happens to drop off from the dish while you're eating. But the effect of the placemat is to enhance the individual's experience of dining at the table. Christmas placemats are all pretty and whether you prefer a traditional, country, modern, or Santa theme, there is a wide variety.

It has become more acceptable to use pretty paper napkins for the holidays, basically because you want to have plenty around to wipe your hands or mouth while you're eating and the techonology has become so good that a lot of the paper napkins have luscious designs and textures that they are a pleasure to use.  I seem to need a lot of napkins especially since food seems to be attracted to my pretty blouses. But cloth napkins are more environmentally friendly and can't be beat for a formal dining effect.

These accessories to the table are not necessary but they are nice enhancements.

If you are using cloth napkins, the napkin rings complete the place setting and gives it a neat look. The right napkin ring compliments the table setting and give is an extra sparkle.

Table runners are a wonderful decoration to your table and gives it a contrasting character while highlighting your main dishes.