A warm Christmas table starts with a few pieces you’ll use all evening. Set out a platter for sharing, stack the plates, and leave room for the food. A little linen and candlelight can do the rest.
1. Pick two colours you already have
Cream and olive green feel festive with natural wood. For a warmer table, try oatmeal linen with amber-toned ceramics. A runner is enough to soften a wooden table while letting the grain show.
2. Put the serving platter at the centre
Choose the large Côa Serving Platter for something guests will pass around, like roast vegetables or sliced bread. Use the small platter for olives or a row of Christmas biscuits. Set the empty platters out before guests arrive so you can see how much space you’ll need.
3. Build each place setting around a dinner plate
Start with the Comporta Dinner Plate. Add a smaller bowl only if it suits the menu. The Comporta Cereal Bowl in medium works for a first course of soup or a scoop of dessert after dinner.
4. Keep the centrepiece low
Place a few short sprigs of greenery down the middle or tuck one into each folded napkin. A low candle holder adds a soft glow and leaves sightlines open across the table. Keep greenery clear of lit candles.
5. Leave one corner free for seconds
Put spare plates and a serving spoon on a sideboard or kitchen counter. When dinner turns into a long evening at the table, guests can help themselves without having to move the centrepiece.
