Designer Tablescapes: 6 Alternatives to the Classic Christmas Table

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it may seem like too much to think about creating a themed holiday dinner table. Well, I'm making it easy for you. These tablescapes are super simple, but they make big visual statements. When you have a choice between drab and fab, choose the latter. Design isn't just for the well-heeled; you can definitely do these yourself at home.

Natural Elements: I recently created a tablescape using a lot of natural elements and references to nature. It all started with a beautiful hand blown art glass bird that I borrowed from a gallery. Using soft evergreens, thistle flowers and other plant materials, I created a naturalistic bird's nest centerpiece on a raised wire cake stand. I fleshed out the theme with mini-grapevine napkin rings with birds pinned on and added dried grasses to the chandelier to look like birds nests in a tree.  Combined with sterling silver and cut crystal, the natural elements became a gentle counterpoint.

Coastal Christmas: There are many routes one can take with a coastal themed table. For a traditional New England themed tablescape, try a lobster bake theme. A friend of mine recently did this with a collection of fun, bright red lobster shaped dishes, and she filled the center of the table with northern pine and gold fishnet.  Small shells adorned the table and the nearby wreath. If a tropical beach theme is more your style, try a lime green and fuchsia color scheme with all white dishes, colorful napkins and a centerpiece of brilliant tropical flowers. Serve fresh tropical drinks garnished with lots of pineapple and lime to complete the theme.

Winter Wonderland: A snowy tablescape is easy to create by using all white linens and china.  Add in lots of sparkling glass ornaments and stemware and finish with silver candlesticks topped with pale blue tapers. 1" thick natural birch logs with their bark intact used as trivets add a natural touch to the scene.

Modern Minimalist Holiday: You don't need to sacrifice your minimalist style preferences in order to achieve a festive table. Simplify the tone by choosing one or two colors to focus on; coordinate the china and linens to match. Square dishes have a decidedly modern touch and are particularly striking when set against a solid tablecloth or just the natural wood of the table. Hang an assortment of plain, clear glass balls from the chandelier at varying heights over the center of the table for a modern and sculptural centerpiece.

Candyland Christmas: Kids will love a colorful, candy-themed table; it can be done in a manner that charms the grownups too. If you love peppermint candy canes, focus your decorating around the red and white color of these holiday treats. A simple white tablecloth with red dishes, or red cloth with white dishes, is a great way to start. Find some inexpensive candy cane patterned dishes for side dishes and serve drinks in red wine or water glasses. Fill a vase with peppermint carnations for a coordinated but not overly "themey" centerpiece.

Recycled Holiday Table: I'm a big believer in reusing materials year to year. Instead of buying disposable ribbons, I have a big collection of fabric ribbon in a multitude of colors and patterns. I've used the ribbons on everything from wrapping the tree to creating easy napkin rings. And best of all, they can be used over and over again. Purchase pieces that can be reused and then mix and match them into new themes every year if you like. Keep all your table decorations together in clear plastic storage bins for easy organization and see what you can create, right out of the box!

P.S.: These tablescapes aren't just for Christmas! You can use variations of these themes all year.

Linda Merrill is a Networx - http://www.networx.com - writer. Get home & garden ideas like this - http://www.networx.com/article/designer-tablescapes-6-alternatives-to - on Networx.