Holiday Tablescape with a Woodland Christmas Theme

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I’m going to share an Easy Woodland Christmas Tablescape. Every year I have a new theme for the main living area of our home. Last year in 2022 it was a Woodland Christmas. 

I think creating my holiday table is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season. 

the woodland christmas tablescape at night with the candles lit

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Woodland Christmas

What do you think of when you think of a woodland theme Christmas? I think of the nature elements such as these:

  • Greenery
  • Birds
  • Snow
  • Spruce Branches
  • Christmas Trees
  • Feathers
  • Bottle Brush Trees
  • Pine Cones
  • Wooden Items
  • Twigs
  • Berries
  • Deer or other Woodland Creatures
  • Dried Flowers & Grasses
  • Dried Artichokes

I had most of these woodland touches already on hand so this project was not only easy to create it was also very inexpensive. 

Sometimes I have a clear picture of what things are going to look like but this theme was created more organically. The one thing I was sure of was that my color scheme would be brown, white, and green.

What I found outside and available early in the season guided my design. I was very surprised to find a small assortment of fresh greens at my local Home Depot in October. I was so excited that I had some of the real thing to add to the table.

Do you find pine needles in your home all year long? I do. Tis the Season!

Since I started this so early and used a woodland, rustic theme, it was actually our Thanksgiving Tablescape that I changed up a bit with more Christmas decor. It can actually last through the winter months. This dinner table decor is so versatile. 

a photo of part of the woodland christmas table in the day light

Preparing the Table

I typically start with a white tablecloth but for my woodland theme, I was leaning towards a runner so that the beautiful wood of the table is exposed.

I was thinking about using my beautiful white gauze table runner that has a kind of snowy look or my natural linen runner from my friend Diane at South House Designs. It adds texture and natural elements. 

After playing around with it a bit, I added both. I put the linen runner down first and then laid the gauze runner on top of that. 

Then came the placemats. I played around with a few. A traditional white placemat, one that is just green leaves, a natural woven placemat, and some snowflake placemats. In the end, the snowflakes won out.

Tablescape

Table-setting, or tablescaping, is an activity involving the setting of themed dining tables in artful, decorative ways for social events, and in a variety of categories for competitions. Tablescaping is a portmanteau of table and landscaping; it was coined by television chef Sandra Lee in 2003. 

There are certain elements of a dining table place setting that are essential and then there are parts of place settings that are just extra.

We are all about the extra here. It doesn’t have to be expensive to have a beautiful tablescape. I use chargers from Dollar Tree all the time and I find 50% off Christmas at Hobby Lobby for most of the season.

These are the things that I like to have on my table once I’ve decided on a tablecloth or table runner.

  • Chargers
  • White plates 
  • Theme Salad Plate
  • Napkins & Napkin Ring
  • Utensils
  • Wine glasses and water glasses
  • Floral Arrangement
  • Candle Holders with taper candles
  • Place Card
another overhead view of the table, focusing on the centerpiece of the woodland christmas tablescape

What I Ended Up Using on My Table

This would have been the perfect tablescape for wood slice chargers but since I didn’t have any (I need to get “Handy” on that) I used my white ceramic chargers, a plain white dinner plate, and some winter forest salad plates that I found at World Market. 

I used my green gauze napkins that I’m just in love with and a simple knot instead of a napkin ring works really well. The casual drop-on-the-table look is exactly what I’m going for. Green plaid napkins would also have worked beautifully with this theme. I need to keep my eye out for some at a thrift store or yard sale to add to my collection. 

Since it wasn’t too long ago that it had been polished, I used my fancy silverware

I chose to use some inexpensive large red wine glasses. This will allow for a generous glass of wine to last through Christmas dinner. 

Woodland Table Finds

sideview of the floral centerpiece for the woodland christmas tablescape

The Centerpiece

I started by layering some fresh sprigs of greenery. I used Balsam, as well as two different kinds of Cedar Branches. At Trader Joe’s I picked up some Country White Roses and cut them very short and arranged them in a white ironstone casserole. Using a few sprigs of eucalyptus leaves adds a little flowyness to the arrangement. 

I set this at the very center of the table. Keeping the flower arrangement low is important so that your guests can easily have a conversation across the table.

I tucked two different glass candle holders into the sprigs. Cape Candle gifted me some of my favorite Colonial Classic White Candles which I also added to the candle holders. You could also use brass candlesticks with this theme. 

Finally, I laid some fun textures on the greenery; pine cones, dried artichokes, dried seeds, and yarn balls. 

a view of the whole place setting on the woodland christmas tablescape

My Woodland Christmas Tablescape

The look of the table is going to set the tone for the rest of our great room. As I finish decorating my shelves and my Christmas Tree, I will also be using all of these same natural elements in our home. 

Below I’ve linked some more christmas table decorations and holiday tablescape ideas from some of my blogging buddies. 

I hope we can be inspirations for the upcoming holiday season with their Christmas table decoration ideas.

Peace, Love and Merry Christmas,

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Make a Tablescape Beautiful?

The thing that makes a tablescape beautiful is using the things that you love. Maybe it’s Grandma’s Dishes or a favorite casserole that you bought at Goodwill.

Lastly, add some pretty flowers. Trader Joe’s is my absolute favorite store to get my flowers from. 

How Do You Make a Simple Christmas Centerpiece?

You can make a simple centerpiece with just a bundle of flowers from your local store. You can find the best way to keep fresh flowers fresh HERE. I’m a big fan of using unusual vessels for flowers. Crocks, pitchers, casserole dishes, footed bowls, and garden pots all make great vases.

I like to use either a ball of chicken wire or a grid of tape across the top along with a wet floral block. It makes creating a floral centerpiece easy even for a beginner.

How Do You Set an Informal Christmas Table?

While I tend to have a rather formal-looking table, I’m actually a very informal entertainer when it comes to serving food.

I don’t bring much to the table besides salt & pepper, butter, and rolls. Everyone has to grab their plate and head to the kitchen to get their food. 

To set an informal table, you could just put out placemats, napkins, and a centerpiece. The easiest way is to serve your food buffet-style in your kitchen. Your line starts with your plates and ends with utensils in a caddy. 

Meet Me

I’m an Interior Designer, Professional Organizer, and Party Planner who lives in the suburbs of Chicago in a 1,300 sq., ft., home with my “Handy” husband, Keith.

I’m an open book about my life on my blog. Find out more about me by tapping the button below.

Cindy from Reinvented Delaware

A festive vintage buffet tablescape featuring gold and silver pieces to accent the ironstone dishes that hold your food items for your holiday gatherings. Your guests will enjoy the vintage vibe of this buffet tablescape!

Diane from South House Designs

Want to wow your guests, but make it easy on you? Follow these 17 tips for setting a beautiful-looking holiday buffet table that also functions beautifully. It lets your guests know you have been thinking of them while planning a great evening together.

Michele from Vintage Home Designs

The holidays are the perfect time for entertaining. I love hosting dinner parties and wanted to create a Christmas tablescape this year that was simple and beautiful. By pairing the natural look of greenery with the elegance of gold bells and brass candlesticks I was able to create a classic and unique table.

Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And what better way to enjoy the holidays than by hosting a festive feast with your loved ones? This year, wow your guests with a beautiful Christmas tablescape. With just a few simple steps, you can create a gorgeous setting that will make your holiday dinner extra special. So get creative and start planning your perfect Christmas table today!

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pinterest graphic with photo of the tablescape with an overlay that read "Easy Woodland Christmas Tablescape"

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9 Comments

  1. Your tablescape is gorgeous! I love all of the natural elements. Happy Holidays!

  2. Michele - vintage home designs says:

    Such a beautiful table Lynn! I love the natural elements you incorporated.

    1. I’m really loving it too! Thank you

    1. I’m really loving it too. May possibly be my favorite of all time.

  3. Lynn, your table is stunning. You are amazing. I wished that I could sit at your lovely table. Hugs to you.