Holiday party themes

The look of your holiday party can be just as important as its other elements. So go above and beyond a plain table setting. Set the mood for your party and provide a striking visual to accompany the feast by creating a thematic holiday “tablescape.”

The experts at Bed Bath & Beyond are offering three ideas for elevating your entertaining décor.

Rustic living

A warm, woodsy vibe invites lingering conversation. Skip the tablecloth and add a burlap runner and rattan placemats in rich neutral hues to create a foundation of textures. Bring in some warmth using soft green moss centerpieces and the sleek glitter of champagne flutes.

Mix shapes to give the table a casual, welcoming feel. For example, for a rectangular table, use round placemats with square plates. Likewise, use centerpieces of varied heights, such as glass candle holders of different sizes accented with rope and filled with moss. Add tall branches to the moss for a dramatic touch.

Consider Lenox Park City flatware and china. The porcelain plates are decorated with delicate bare branches and the flatware’s design mimics tree bark.

Remember, little details go a long way. Add sprigs of rosemary to Champagne for an evergreen feel and flavor.

Glamorous gold

To create an opulent look, think rich colors, vivid patterns and one of the hottest tabletop trends this season—gold.

When opting for a formal setting, avoid mixing shapes and limit your color palette. From placemats to china, repeat soft curves for an overall unified effect.

Use a show-stopping place setting that creates richness and visual depth, such as Wedgwood’s Renaissance Gold, which pairs gold with cobalt blue.

Mirror these colors with your other table accessories.

Use soft touches to keep the look from feeling cold, such as lush roses in full bloom or ferns spray painted gold for a pretty finishing touch.

A modern classic

From retro-sweetness to sleek modernity, get the best of both festive worlds in one beautiful setting.

For a dark wood table, skip tablecloth and placements and instead use clear chargers with gold beaded rims under the place settings.

Tall white taper candles, set in white porcelain candleholders, are a timeless touch that cast a warm glow for a welcoming ambiance. For the centerpiece, use a crystal bowl and crystal vases, filled with a bubbly mix of red ornaments. Swap a traditional runner for artfully strewn ribbons to add funky personality.

Use white cotton napkins topped with elegant gold-edged flatware and gold-rimmed drinking glasses for a look with enduring appeal. While gold is on-trend, such ornate accents have an undeniably traditional feel.

Top each place setting with a colorful ornament. A trick? Leave room in the bowl centerpieces so guests can drop in the bulbs from their place settings when dinner is served.

More ideas, decorating tips, recipes, printable décor, gift ideas, playlists and holiday inspiration can be found at the “Above & Beyond” blog at Blog.bedbathandbeyond.com.

This holiday, wow your guests and set the mood for your feast with tablescapes that please the eye.