Decorating the table when you serve food down the middle

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

We always serve food in bowls down the middle of the table, and it's the most practical way for us to serve the food comfortably.
Table decoration is therefore minimal - crackers; serviettes with decorated napkin ring; if there's an odd number of us I put candles at the end of the table where there is space. Not sure what else I could do without making the table look cluttered? I don't want candles in between the serving dishes - did that once and even with tea light holders it made it difficult to reach over. Thoughts?

I use a plain white tablecloth, a plain colour runner down the middle and then sprinkle a few gold stars and felt trees. These have been reused for at least 10 years now. Yes we lose a few every year, and my (teens now) did play with them a bit but it always made it festive and it's very flexible.

Waves 👋 at Tricky

And invites anyone planning table decorations in October over to the Poncetastic thread for all things to do with festive decorating, home made anything and wrapping themes

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4033191-poncetastic-2020

What about one tall central decoration that gives impact but won't impede all your dishes

Controversial suggestion, but you could just not decorate it? I don't decorate our table, I just decorate the house instead. There's no room on our table for decorations.

I always have a nice but plain tablecloth or runner and then round place mats or chargers in a different or sparkly colour .then sprinkle glitter or small christmas baubles all over the table and add small tea lights around the dishes.Pretty napkins to finish off.

@zurala

Controversial suggestion, but you could just not decorate it? I don't decorate our table, I just decorate the house instead. There's no room on our table for decorations.

That's my usual approach apart from perhaps some candles at one end if we don't need to sit someone there. Will ponder the lovely suggestions on here, but haven't dismissed keeping it simple as usual

For those that get itchy about the thought of table confetti, I bought this last year. It's gold one side, silver the other and can be rolled up and reused
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08F77CXPL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5orNFbRW9CN1P?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I really like that @birkenstocks4ever, thank you

Big glass bowl half filled with wayer , coloured glass niggets and metallic confetti , floating candles .
They burn happily for 4 hours or so .

Last year with new cats I did a battery candle with wire lights wound round and fresh ivy from the garden to hide the battery box.

My favourite tablecover is red/green so needs very litlle extra.

wayer = water

Some great ideas on this thread.

Since having children, we use the IKEA glazed lanterns, so that if one gets overturned it doesn't set anything on fire. They have red ones which are very christmassy.
We're only five around a table for eight though, so plenty of room.

If you want to hang decorations from the ceiling, you can get Command ceiling hooks that you can remove without damaging the paint. I use Danish paper stars like these above the table that are easy to make (or you can buy them). I've also used them to hang large baubles and glass birds from the ceiling. They hold up to 250g.

I sometimes use the Ikea Godafton LED block candles in Morrocan lanterns (so you can't see the plastic). They have a flicker effect and warm light like real candles.

Thank you both. Guess it'll have to wait now as I'm going nowhere near IKEA this week!

One year I got some red and gold ribbon and tied bows round the wine glasses. Sounds appalling but looked quite sweet.

Plenty of places sell the flickering led candles online @RockingMyFiftiesNot, in plastic and real wax. I just like the Ikea plastic ones because they can be used outside too, they have a timer to switch on and off, and they use easily sourced AAA batteries rather than flat style batteries. Although I use rechargeable batteries for them.

@GreyishDays

One year I got some red and gold ribbon and tied bows round the wine glasses. Sounds appalling but looked quite sweet.

3 small baubles on curling ribbon to match your colour scheme around the glass stalks , pull ribbon tight then tie ans curl the ends works well. Yes, I'm mad too!