Set a festive scene this holiday season

“Home for the holidays” has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020. While celebrations may look different this year, some things never change – a welcoming home, glittering lights, and family dinners around a beautifully set table that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. Here are some of our favourite tips for setting a festive scene.

While Canadian winters are cold and white, there’s a world of vibrant colour and texture that’s as close as your nearest fruit market. Dried or fresh berries and seasonal fruit such as clementines, pomegranates and figs are a favourite, lending the nature that we’re missing outdoors at this time of year. You can fill in your tabletop centrepiece using pinecones and evergreen branches from your own backyard, which look magical when paired with a string of sparkling lights or candles and some loose ornaments nestled in.

To create a “tablescape”, start at the centre of the table and work your way out, alternating between sides and decorations. This ensures your tabletop is well balanced, and that you won’t run out of any items half-way through the process.

Real candles provide a warm and flickering glow that artificial lights can’t hold a candle to – pun intended! Nestle groups of candles all in the same colour throughout your home to add some festive yet tasteful continuity. Adorn your side tables, bar cart, sideboard, fireplace mantel, windowsills and of course, your tablescape.

Tip: Scented candles are a gift and we love using them – except where you’re dining. Avoid candles with scents where food is being served, as their perfume can detract from the flavours of the food.

Serving trays are a great way to make your festive decor mobile. Rather than creating a huge centrepiece, scale it down and decorate a serving tray that you can remove or relocate to a different spot when it’s time to eat.

This brings us to the main event – dinner time! Regardless of how formal or casual the meal is, ensure you’ve set the table correctly with dishes and silverware forks corresponding to the courses served, working your way inward. Mix and match your family heirlooms passed down from Mom or Grandma, with the new wares you’ve purchased, creating a rich and storied aesthetic.

You may be celebrating the holidays with a small, intimate dinner, but you can still maximize your enjoyment this season. Happy Holidays from all of us at Hibou Design & Co.