Magical Christmas tables

Follow our top ten table decorating tips and no one will notice if you burn the dinner....

Don’t overdo it

There's nothing worse than having the view of the person opposite you obscured by a floral arrangement! Keep centrepieces low so they can see over the top, or slim and tall so they can see underneath. Also consider fragrance -- you don't want guests to be sitting in front of something too heavily scented while they're eating.

Name your tables

If you have more than one table, use table names instead of numbers. Christmas table names could include 'mistletoe', 'reindeer', 'santa' and 'snow'. For a cocktail party, you might choose to name your tables after cocktails.. 'Mojito', 'Margarita' and 'Manhattan'! Confetti's create your own cards could also be used as table name cards or menus.

Place names with a difference

Place-card holders liven up a table and can also be a gift to your guests. Look out for holders in 'Christmas' shapes such as santas and snowmen. Instead of using placecards, give each guest a tree decoration. Attach a place card to the end and tie it around their napkin. Or you can write names on glass baubles using glass paint or glitter.

Table-fetti

Liven up a plain tablecloth with star confetti, or glistening white 'snowfetti'. Dried rose petals also look great -- particularly in romantic red.

Snow mints

As an alternative to the after-dinner mint, give guests miniature Christmas pudding or minty snowmen chocolates. You could make a great centrepiece by putting a selection of chocolates on a cake stand, or with bowls of chocolate balls.

Gift centre

Instead of a floral centrepiece, fill a large glass bowl with feathers and candy canes. You could even make a bit of a lucky dip and have a few presents wrapped for your guests. No one's too old for 'pass the parcel'!

Mini stockings

If you're looking for a change, fill pretty boxes with chocolate snowballs or chocolate coins, and tie with ribbon to match your colour scheme. Or give each guest a small stocking filled with treats, and hang it from the back of their chair.

Candle power

Candlelight is always romantic and 'Christmassy'. Filled votive holders in an array of colours make a wonderful table decoration. If you want to avoid electric lighting altogether, candelabras and chandeliers look fabulous. You can't have too much candlelight -- just make sure you keep an eye on everything.

Fun and games

Encourage fun and games with party poppers, indoor sparklers, streamers, Christmas paper puzzles and chocolate trivia. Party hats are fun -- but why not look out for other 'fancy dress' ideas such as masks and fake moustaches? Always good for a laugh!