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My Christmas? It starts at the table.
Every year, before even thinking about gifts or the menu, I think about the table.
Because that's where the best moments of the holidays are concentrated: laughter, toasts, waiting in front of a lit candle. The table is the heart of Christmas, it's where we gather, where emotions become gestures. Over time, I've learned that you don't need to go overboard to create a magical atmosphere. All you need are the right materials, a harmonious color palette, and a few details designed with love.
That's why today I want to tell you how I imagined my holiday table and how you can reinterpret it in your home with simplicity and style.
A timeless palette: mastic linen, gold, and ivory
For me, the starting point is always color, and especially at Christmas, I give free rein to my imagination and my desire to decorate. I love intense reds and contrasting colors, but now I'm going to tell you how to create a bright, ethereal, discreet composition where everything conveys elegance and warmth. Mastic linen is my star player. It's a sophisticated color that is neither beige nor gray, but a delicate shade that softly reflects light.
On top, I like to add touches of satin gold and ivory: in the plates, napkins, and small decorative details. If you are looking for a more contemporary but still refined alternative, I recommend the Eden Ikat Gold Tablecloth: it has a delicate geometric pattern and a stain-resistant finish that makes it perfect for large dinners. The golden hue is understated, warm, and extremely elegant.
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The festive table – How I create it step by step
Every year, when it comes time to think about the mise en place for Christmas, I always return to a concept that is dear to me: creating a table that tells a story, that makes guests feel welcome and enveloped in a sense of harmony and beauty.
For this project, I often draw inspiration from my family's many festive tables as a starting point from which to build a visual narrative made up of precious materials, balanced proportions, and details that are never left to chance.
A tailor-made table, in the truest sense of the word: designed for those who love to entertain with grace, for those who know that even a simple family lunch can become a special memory if the atmosphere is right.
1. The tablecloth – Mastic linen or whimsical fringes?
If you want a classic yet sophisticated table setting, I recommend the Venaria linen tablecloth: its refined texture and soft feel make it perfect for special occasions, without ever being excessive. It is the ideal base for showcasing precious details such as gold plates or cut crystal. For those who prefer a more dramatic yet elegant effect, there is the Aida Tablecloth. Made of linen enriched with luminous lurex, its large fringes evoke the style and atmosphere of the opera from which it takes its name.
I often complete the look with the matching Aida Runner in the center to structure the composition and highlight candles and decorative objects.
The latest trends: fringes and intense colors
While it is true that neutral tones such as putty, ivory, and gold remain winners in terms of elegance and versatility, it is equally true that the latest trends in interior design and table setting speak for themselves: the return of dark and intense colors is the absolute protagonist.
Burgundy, deep black, midnight blue, and even curry are the most popular shades for Christmas 2025, especially when balanced together. And we at Borgo delle Tovaglie agree. Just think of the spectacular Carmen tablecloth in Burgundy, or the Aida itself, which with its theatrical fringes offers a bold decorative element that is seen elsewhere in a much more restrained version. Our fringes do not go unnoticed: they are wide, dramatic, and tailored. A detail that alone can make the whole table.
Those who love a bold yet refined style can dare with class this year: a deep palette, striking fringes, and noble fabrics become the new code of contemporary elegance.
2. Napkins – Tone-on-tone embroidery and subtle contrasts
Napkins are a small form of domestic poetry.
For the festive table, I recommend Venaria napkins: pure linen richly embroidered around the edge with a fine floral motif made from lurex yarn in shades of gold and silver. I like to alternate the mastic ones with gold edging with the gravel-colored version, creating a tone-on-tone effect that gives rhythm to the table. I fold them softly or tie them with a thin string: it takes very little to evoke care and attention.
If you want a bolder but still sophisticated variation, be daring with dark-colored napkins, such as plum, midnight blue, or burgundy. These colors, among the most popular of the season, create an elegant contrast with the neutral shades of the tablecloth and add a touch of modernity to the composition.
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3. The plates – White, gold, and mismatched designs
You don't need coordinated or expensive tableware to create an elegant table setting: you just need to know how to mix and match with taste. I often use white plates with gold rims or vintage plates decorated with classic patterns, even from different collections, which I find at antique markets. The important thing is to maintain color consistency and play with contrasts: plain plates paired with decorated ones, modern lines combined with more classic motifs.
This interplay of controlled contrasts creates a very interesting visual depth, especially on a tablecloth in neutral tones such as putty or ivory. A little trick I always use? Add gold mirrored bread plates: they reflect the light from the candles and add a sparkling touch without weighing down the table.
My advice: if you're worried that the mix will look too random, alternate only two plate designs and repeat them symmetrically along the table.
4. Glasses – The charm of transparency
When it comes to glasses, I remain faithful to cut crystal models. The vertical ribbing creates a delicate play of reflections, perfect for accompanying candlelight. I alternate between wine glasses with thin stems and flutes for sparkling wines, all strictly transparent.
If you want to add an extra touch, you can also include a dusty-colored glass, such as smoky gray or light honey, but always without straying from the main palette.
The details that make the magic
In my opinion, it's the details that transform a table from beautiful to unforgettable, which is why I love to pay as much attention to them as I do to choosing the table linens or arranging the dishes.
The candles
Candles are a must, even during the day: I choose cylindrical oil or natural wax candles in ivory or cream shades. I place them on mirrored bases or small transparent or gold glass holders, but I love candlesticks and use them whenever I can.
I like to play with heights: a row of identical candles can look flat, while a well-balanced alternation creates movement and atmosphere. A nice idea is to arrange them along the center runner, alternating with small natural elements.
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The centerpiece
For centerpieces, I don't like large floral arrangements and prefer something more spontaneous, seasonal, and authentic.
I love creating low, elongated compositions using pinecones, sprigs of holly and pine, and a few dry branches collected from the garden.
I place them on a rectangular glass base or a golden mirror to reflect the candles and multiply the light. The effect is evocative but not artificial, and reflects the simple beauty of winter. Want to add an extra touch? Add a few walnuts or hazelnuts left in their shells: they smell festive and add texture.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about elegant Christmas table settings
How to set an elegant table for Christmas?
To create an elegant table for Christmas, choose a tailored linen tablecloth (preferably in neutral tones such as putty or ivory), pair it with white plates with gold details, crystal glasses, and ivory candles.
Complete the mise en place with a natural centerpiece made of pinecones, holly, and moss. Just a few well-chosen elements are enough to achieve a refined and timeless effect.
Which tablecloth should you use for your Christmas table?
The ideal tablecloth for Christmas is made of linen or jacquard cotton, in shades of mastic, ivory, or gold.
For a formal table, I recommend the Venaria Tablecloth or the more dramatic Aida Tablecloth. If you have children or want something practical but chic, the stain-resistant Eden Ikat gold is perfect.
What plates should you use for an elegant Christmas table?
For a refined Christmas table, choose white plates with gold or ivory rims. Mixing and matching different sets works if the colors remain consistent. You can alternate plain plates with patterned ones, adding gold saucers or mirrored glass placemats to brighten up the composition.
What glasses should you use for a refined Christmas table?
The best glasses for the Christmas table are clear crystal with vertical or vintage designs. Alternate champagne flutes and classic wine glasses. Avoid overly bright colors: neutral tones or transparencies that reflect the light of the candles are better.
What can you use as a Christmas centerpiece instead of flowers?
For a natural, wintery centerpiece, use seasonal elements such as pine cones, holly branches, hawthorn, laurel, or red berries. Arrange them on a mirror or raw linen base and alternate them with cylindrical candles. The result will be elegant, authentic, and perfectly Christmassy, without the need for fresh flowers.
How can you create an elegant but simple Christmas table?
For an elegant but minimalist Christmas, focus on natural materials and neutral colors. A linen tablecloth, tone-on-tone embroidered napkins, white plates, clear glasses, and ivory candles are enough to create a refined but understated atmosphere. Add a centerpiece with natural elements and you'll see how everything comes to life with balance and grace.
What accessories are a must for the holiday table?
My essentials are:
- Well-ironed linen napkins
- Ivory or clear candles
- Gold saucers or glass placemats
- Center runner (such as the Aida Runner)
- Natural winter elements such as pinecones or berries
What to give for Christmas to those who love their home?
A set of tailored napkins, a linen tablecloth, or a linen bathrobe are elegant, practical, and long-lasting gifts.
Among my favorite gifts:
- Gitane napkins
- Amalfi and Firenze placemats
- Pure line pillowcases
- Washed linen bathrobes