How to set an evergreen and candlelight Christmas tablescape

Guests walk in to candlelight and the smell of cedar. The table stays mostly green and ivory, so the food and the faces stand out. A cranberry velvet ribbon at every place is the one bold color.

A long, low garland makes even a simple table look generous. Brass and candlelight warm up the green so it never feels cold.

The palette

Five colors carry the whole table. Keep everything else white, clear or brass.

• Evergreen
• Cedar
• Cranberry velvet
• Candle ivory
• Antique gold

What goes on the table

The look sits on plain white plates, simple flatware and clear glasses. These are the pieces that make it Christmas.

• Forest green napkins, one per guest
• Cranberry velvet ribbon, about 30 inches per napkin, tied with a sprig of cedar or rosemary
• A cedar garland down the middle of the table, one 6 ft length for every 6 feet
• Ivory tapers in brass holders, one on each side of the centerpiece
• A small gold ornament or bell at each place
• Place cards and a menu from Place Card Studio

The flower centerpiece

One low bowl of cedar, roses and berries sits in the middle of the garland. No experience needed: the wire inside holds every stem where you put it.

In December, florists and many grocery stores carry roses, evergreens and berries. Buy them 1 or 2 days before the party.

The Styling Guide walks through it in numbered steps with a drawing for each stage: conditioning the flowers the day before, building the greens, then adding the roses and berries.

Details that make it

Small choices do most of the work.

• A sprig under every ribbon. It brings the scent of the garland right to each guest.
• The favor by the place card. It gives everyone something to pick up and talk about while you pour the wine.
• Only candlelight on the table. Leave the greenery unlit. Fairy lights would compete with the tapers.

Make it yours

The look adapts to the table you have.

• Round table. Set the centerpiece in the middle, coil the garland around it, and stand three tapers in the ring.
• A smaller party. For 4 guests, one garland, one centerpiece and two tapers are enough.
• A bigger party. Add a garland for each extra 6 feet of table, plus one more centerpiece with a taper between.
• From what you own. Any deep green napkins and warm metal candlesticks work. Keep the cranberry ribbon for the signature look.

Host tips

A few habits that make the evening run smoothly.

• Let the repeats carry it. What guests notice first is whatever appears at every seat. Keep the plates plain white and let the cranberry ribbon do the talking, eight or twelve times over.
• Steady every taper. If a taper leans in its holder, wrap a thin strip of foil around the base and press it back in. It stays upright all evening.
• An odd number of guests. Seat the extra person at the head of the table, so both long sides stay even.
• Mind the glasses. Set the water glass just above the knife and the wine glass beside it, the same way at every place. Taller stems hold their own next to a full garland.
• Pieces that work twice. The green napkins, ivory tapers and garland suit a winter supper in January too. Swap the ribbon for plain twine and the table feels new.
• Pack it as a set. After the party, box the napkins, ribbon, holders and this guide together and label it. Next year the table comes together in minutes.

What's in the Styling Guide

The guide is a printable PDF you keep. It covers:

• A planning calendar from a week out to the moment guests arrive
• A shopping list for 4, 6, 8 and 12 guests
• Step-by-step drawings for the center of the table and each place setting
• How to tie the ribbon napkin
• The flower centerpiece, step by step, with diagrams
• A page of host tips for the day itself