Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, this time of year is filled with plenty of opportunities for hosting your family and friends for dinner. Here’s how to set a table for a dinner party the right way! 

Choose Your Centerpiece

Winter Centerpiece

(Available In-Store at Star Furniture) 

Many of the most elegant table settings for dinner parties start with a centerpiece. When choosing a centerpiece, there are different things you can prioritize. If, for example, the look of the table is the most important to you, it might make sense to include a stylish vase filled with seasonal flowers. If you prefer a more seasonal approach, try arranging a collection of gourds for your Thanksgiving centerpiece or festive pine cones for Christmas. If functionality is the most important thing, find a stylish tray and fill your centerpiece with carafes of wine or condiments that people might use while they’re eating. 

Cover Up with Tablecloths and/or Table Runners

Christmas Table Setting

No dinner party table setting is complete without a tablecloth or a table runner. In fact, many tables include both. To get started, you’ll want to consider the vibe of your dinner party. If it’s more formal, for example, you’ll probably want to stick with a white table cloth. If the dinner party is more casual, you have more flexibility with color. In fact, if you’re looking for something a little more festive, you might try a seasonally themed table cloth. If you’re hosting Christmas, for example, a plaid table cloth in winter colors would work perfectly. If you don’t want to cover up the natural beauty of your dining room furniture, a table runner is a great way to add some flair without hiding the surface of your table.

Arrange Your Table Setting 

Thanksgiving Table Setting

(Pictured Above: Castella 5-Piece Rectangular Dining Set) 

When it comes to how to set a table for a dinner party, many people get stuck at the table setting. Your table setting strategy will depend on how casual or formal you want your place setting to be. If you’re setting the table for a casual dinner party, for example, you’ll have fewer accoutrements than if you’re setting the table for a formal, three-course dinner. To start with, you’ll need a place mat with a dinner plate placed in the exact center. For basic tables, the fork will be to the left of the dinner plate on a folded napkin. The knife will be to the immediate right of the plate. Any water or wine glasses should be placed on the upper right hand corner of the placemat. If you’d like to set a more formal dinner table, there are plenty of resources online to help. Whether you’re looking to update your dining room furniture or find the right dining table décor, our Star Furniture stores throughout Texas have you covered. In the meantime, check out our interior design blog where we cover everything from how to set a dining table when not in use to how to decorate a hutch.