The festive table: discover our tips for setting a chic and festive Christmas table

When we think of Christmas, we often picture the menu, the gifts, the scent of the pine tree… but the festive table is, in reality, the true heart of the evening. It's around it that we gather, laugh, and raise a glass. At Tomète , we love tables that tell a story: the story of a warm, elegant, yet unpretentious moment.

Here is our simple and effective method for creating a chic and festive Christmas table , in five steps… to be repeated all year round.

1. Start with the tablecloth: the main decoration of your table

Before anything else, there is the tablecloth .
She sets the tone: colour, atmosphere, level of sophistication.

• A burgundy linen tablecloth instantly creates a warm, almost enveloping atmosphere, perfect for a candlelit dinner.
• A peacock blue tablecloth brings a more contemporary, chic and slightly mysterious elegance.
• A lighter, natural shade will provide a soft base if you like to use multiple colors and accessories.

Tomète scalloped tablecloths, with their wavy edges, add a couture touch that is often enough to transform an everyday table into a festive one .
Once the tablecloth is chosen, everything else naturally falls into place around it.

Tomète tip: if you are hesitating between two colours, think about the lighting atmosphere: by candlelight, deep shades like burgundy or peacock blue are absolutely sublime.

2. Add the tableware: opt for neutral colors for a chic effect

Once your backdrop is in place, it's time to do the dishes .

For a sophisticated yet effortless look, we recommend neutral plates : ivory, cream, off-white… perhaps accented with a touch of gold or a subtle pattern. Against a colorful tablecloth, these tones create a calming effect and highlight everything else: candles, flowers, Christmas decorations.

In our photos, the light-colored plates highlighted with small gold stars stand out delicately against the burgundy and petrol blue tablecloths, creating a contrast that is both soft and festive.

The idea:

• simple, timeless tableware,
• which we reinvent with each season thanks to table linen and accessories.

As for cutlery, we highly recommend bringing out your family silverware (now is the perfect time) or hunting for some beforehand. You can still find exceptional sets at very good prices in flea markets or at auctions.

3. Complete with table linens: napkins, coasters and placemats

Next comes the time to play with textiles : napkins, coasters, placemats… This is where Tomète’s DNA is fully expressed.

• Scalloped linen napkins , coordinated or contrasting with the tablecloth, add depth to the table.
• Flower or cloud-shaped coasters add a poetic and light touch, while protecting the tablecloth.
• Placemats can structure each place setting and add an extra layer of texture.

You can stay tone-on-tone for a very classic elegance (burgundy tablecloth + burgundy napkins), or play the card of subtle contrast (peacock blue tablecloth + white coasters, for example).

A chic idea: have your guests' names embroidered in gold thread on their napkins or coasters. A delicate, fabric place card to keep as a souvenir.

4. Accessorize with chic, unexpected and festive elements

Your base is ready: tablecloth, dishes, table linen.
It's time to make the table shine .

The chic elements

At Tomète, we have a weakness for table jewelry plated with fine gold :
Small, precious objects to place near the glasses, in the center of the table or on the plates. They capture the candlelight and bring that "table jewelry" touch that is only brought out for special occasions.

Add to that:

• elegant candlesticks ,
• metal cups or dishes,
• a few touches of gold delicately scattered…

…and your table instantly gains sophistication.

Unexpected and festive touches

To avoid a table that's too tame, we like to incorporate slightly quirky, but still chic, Christmas elements :

• a sparkling garland winding between the plates,
• a small decorative object placed in a bowl (a graphic ball, a star, a mini-crown),
• a plum or burgundy ribbon tied around the candlesticks,
• an egg, a piece of fruit or a small surprise placed in a metal bowl, like a playful wink.

The idea is not to overload everything, but to slip in details here and there that will make your guests smile and make your table truly personal .

5. Add some greenery: the finishing touch that brings the table to life

It's impossible to imagine a Christmas table without a touch of greenery.

You have two options, which you can combine if you wish:

The bouquet or the mini centerpiece

A beautiful bouquet of seasonal flowers – for example delicate mauve flowers combined with light foliage – placed in the center or slightly off-center on the table.
You can also opt for several small bouquets placed along the table, so as never to interfere with conversation.

Typical Christmas elements

To set your table in the festive spirit, consider:

• a few fir branches tucked under a golden garland,
• a floral frieze running along the table,
• a wreath placed flat in the center, holding candles or a bowl filled with treats.

The greenery softens the metal, highlights the gold, and ties together all the colors: deep burgundy, midnight blue, ivory, gold. It's the touch that makes your table feel alive and inviting .

With a few well-chosen pieces and a touch of daring, your Christmas table becomes a true ritual: that of setting up, each year, the Tomète tablecloth that we love, taking out our favorite coasters, retying the ribbons around the candles… and finally enjoying the pleasure of being together.