Create a Holiday Tablescape With Everyday Dishes

You don’t need special china to set a festive table! Here’s how to dress up your dinnerware all season long.

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Eclectic, Red and Green Holiday Table Setting

Modern Christmas Table Setting Idea

HGTV Magazine presents this fun and festive holiday table with a red gingham tablecloth, beaded charger and poppers as place cards.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

The holiday season is here! Whether you host a cozy Thanksgiving feast or a New Year's Eve bash (or any celebration in between), the HGTV Magazine editors dreamed up bold tablescapes that will wow guests. The best part: You don't need new dinnerware. All these stunning settings use plain white dishes you already have in your cabinet.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Table With White Pumpkins and Pressed Leaves

Rustic Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea With White Pumpkins

HGTV Magazine presents this easy Thanksgiving tablescape using white pumpkins, pressed leaves and plain white dishes.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

The warm, earthy colors on this table are perfect for any fall gathering (Friendsgiving, anyone?) — especially the big feast. To make the centerpiece, spray-mount pressed leaves onto white pumpkins, then seal with decoupage glue. Write on leaves with a paint pen to make place cards.

Hanukkah

Everyday Dishes

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

Surrounded by vibrant blue fabrics, a white plate feels extra special. Make your table glow for the Festival of Lights by nestling star-shaped votives in a mix of eucalyptus and thistle. Plain matchboxes make perfect place cards — just personalize with a paint pen. (Get more Hanukkah table ideas here.)

Christmas

Colorful Christmas Table Setting With Ornament Garland

Eclectic and Colorful Christmas Table Setting Idea

HGTV Magazine presents this fun and festive holiday table with an ornament garland for the centerpiece, a gingham tablecloth, block print napkin and individual poppers.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

Put a fun spin on the usual red-and-green palette by adding pink, purple and blue accents. Here we used a multicolored ornament garland as a centerpiece. The decorative charger is like jewelry for a plain white plate, and the Christmas cracker is a cute alternative to a place card. (See more festive Christmas table settings here.)

New Year's Eve

Black, White and Metallic New Year's Eve Table With Disco Balls

Sparkling, Modern New Year's Eve Table Setting Idea

HGTV Magazine presents this sparkling New Year's Eve party table setting with a disco ball centerpiece, gold flatware and a feather-topped holiday headband.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

Ring in 2024 with a glam, sparkly table setting. Octagonal place mats add a dramatic frame to your plates, and scattered silver and gold confetti tell everyone the party is on. Arrange disco balls down the center of the table along with noisemakers that guests can grab when the clock strikes midnight.

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