Every season calls for togetherness, but there’s something extra magical about gathering during the holidays. A cookie exchange here. A dinner party there. And of course, the long-awaited Christmas brunch rounding the corner. These colder months beckon us to settle in and spend time at home—with the door wide open to company.
Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder around the table with loved ones, neighbors, and friends who feel like family is a gift in and of itself, yet it can be easy to let that slip through our fingers as the season rushes by. In light of this, we’re sharing a how-to guide for holiday gatherings, plus three tablescape ideas to spark inspiration. Whatever hosting looks like for you, we hope you make space to breathe it in, exhale deeply, and be fully present.
Without further ado, let's get merry!
Set the Table
Step one to any gathering? Make a place where guests feel at home. It’s no secret the magic of the holiday season has a way of coming together around a table. Although intentional gatherings don't require a perfectly curated plan (last-minute pizza and a Christmas movie does the trick, too), we’ve pulled together some seasonal styling inspiration—for every taste.
Look 01: Classic Christmas
Scalloped edges meet delicate embroidery. There seems to be an unspoken rule this time of year: Anything goes if it’s red, green—or gold! Here, we leaned into festive hues with our Heirloom Garden Floral Scarlett Dinner Plates atop vintage-inspired gold chargers to define each place. Mixing patterns is a fun way to play with your creativity, like a plaid napkin and runner paired with delicate floral motifs. Intentionally “mismatching” wares can make a tablescape feel that much more interesting. To round out the scene, we incorporated more glimmers of gold with antiqued flatware on either side of each place.
Tip: Consider using spare gift-wrapping ribbon to tie bows on table napkins!
Look 02: Winter Wonderland
Etched glass meets metallic finishes. When putting together a dessert spread—or even a place to say “cheers!”—playing with different heights can add visual interest. Consider weaving tiered serving stands in with glass taper holders and other decor. This is a great way to add dimension while making extra space for stacking sweets. Lastly, don’t forget to have plenty of glasses (like these fluted coupes), dessert plates, and vintage flatware at the ready for guests to mix and mingle.
Tip: Bud-vase arrangements can be a simple way to bring color, texture, and movement to any scene. Clip a sprig of holiday greenery (fresh or faux), drop it in a vase you love, and there you have it—jolly table decor.
Look 03: Natural Noel
Painted designs meet wooden materials. For a look that lasts beyond December, lean into natural elements that still feel true to the season. For example, balancing woodland-inspired plates and a wintry table runner with more neutral pieces (like our Green Luna Scalloped Plate and Rustic Glass Stemware ) lends a timeless, yet seasonal, feel. To warm up the table with shimmer and shine, we added copper flatware as a twist on classic holiday gold.
Tip: For a naturally festive table, try choosing linens that feature muted, earthy takes on go-to holiday colors.
Make the Menu
From shareable appetizers to mains and desserts that feel like the holidays, our recipe library is brimming with tried-and-tested dishes worth passing around the table. To get you started, here are a few recipe collections worth bookmarking this season:
- A Collection of Recipes That Feel Like the Holidays
- A Collection of Christmas Brunch Recipes
- A Collection of Holiday Candy Recipes
- A Collection of Recipes to Share with your Neighbor
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A Collection of Cookie Recipes
Psst… Short on time this season? Magnolia Table frozen baked goods are now available in the freezer aisle at Target! (Think banana bread, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, and three kinds of cookies.) Here’s to making it a little easier to gather together.
Take It All In
A cozy candle in the background, a festive tune floating through the air. Whether you’re readying for guests or preparing a place for your family, take a moment—and take it all in. These are the days we await all year long. Here’s to table season!
MORE TO INSPIRE
Right this way for holiday hosting ideas…
- Ways to Ready Your Guest Room
- How to Make Others Feel Welcome at Your Table
- Ways to Be a Good Guest
- How to Add Warmth to a Space
- Ways to Welcome the Holidays into Your Home
