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Dec 30, 2023

5 Christmas table decorations to try, from sparkles to desserts

Looking for inspiration to add to this year's holiday decorations?

Looking for inspiration to add to this year's holiday decorations? Louisville-based interior designer Mark Eliason, 2711 Lexington Road, suggests adding a rainbow of colors to update your 2022 holiday decor.

"It's bright pinks, aquamarine blue, and sunny yellows, all of which are fun and festive," he said. "After the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are ready to celebrate and color is the perfect addition."

Lee Farris, a designer with Bliss Home, 1108 Lyndon Lane in Westport Village, previously told the Courier Journal what a difference a few well-thought-out and unusual additions can make when decorating for the holidays.

Here are five different Christmas table decoration ideas that are sure to turn your holiday meal into something truly festive and memorable.

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For a modern take on the holiday table, switch up the color scheme and use your creativity to turn things up a notch. Start your elegant holiday table with a (new) Mongolian sheepskin throw, which Farris previously said can give the illusion of a "beautiful snowfall."

She arranged various silver and glittered accessories and candles on the sheepskin to create a shimmering centerpiece.

"If you are using candles on the table, place them in groups in varying heights and containers," says the designer. Placing candles in groups on top of a mirrored tray can also provide additional twinkle.

You can also place votive candles in clear glass containers filled with kosher salt to look like snow.

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Don't be afraid to use color combinations outside of the traditional red and green, including white, cream, brown, and purple, Farris said.

A three-tiered centerpiece created with mixed elements of cascading cream-colored wooden beads and spheres, shiny white glass pears, decorative brown wooden fabric stamps, small metal sculptures (ornaments doing double duty) and lavender creates a gorgeous show stopper for the center of a holiday table.

"You don't have to decorate with poinsettias at Christmas time," Farris previously reminded us. "There are so many other flowers and plants, like lavender, which add an unexpected and beautiful splash of color to your table."

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A few added touches make this table extra special on Christmas morning. Rather than napkins, Farris sets her table with dish towels. This unexpected table linen is fun and big so they are functional and, best of all, easy to launder with no ironing.

Her table runners are layered to add color and texture. Small white porcelain bowls with holiday sayings at each place setting make a thoughtful gift.

The centerpiece is made from different-sized cake stands decorated with oranges, pinecones, candy, greenery, and ornaments. Farris also uses a ribbon to tie a personalized stocking to each person's chair and fills it with small treats and greenery to coordinate with the centerpiece.

You can continue your decorations beyond the table. A mirrored tray holding candles and greenery on a side table is an elegant addition to your holiday trimmings.

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It's the holidays, so why not go that extra step? You can dress up a snack or dessert table by simply filling a wooden tray or a basket with colorful Christmas balls, a sculpture, or maybe a child's toy, like a small teddy bear, and add greenery.

Fill small cellophane bags filled with cookies or candy tied off with a pretty bow and add them to the centerpiece.

If this is a dessert table, place larger food items around your centerpiece. Or use a decorated table to display small gifts for your guests, such as dishtowels with painted wooden Christmas ornaments attached.

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What if you forgot all about a centerpiece for your table this year? Not a problem. Simply take the wreath off your front door, or you can actually plan ahead and use a wreath just for this function.

Place it in the center of your table and fill the center with a plant. A glass container of holiday candy, small wrapped gifts, or a mound of red and green apples and pears is another nice touch for the center of a table wreath.

Above all, know that you don't need to spend a fortune to decorate for the holidays. Putting together a festive dining room table is an easy way to create a warm and joyful setting for your celebrations.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].