One Table, Two Holiday Settings

Make setting your holiday table fun, simple and inexpensive by transforming one set of basic centerpiece items for both fall and winter feasts. The trick is to keep things natural, using fresh herbs, branches, seasonal fruits and other pretty items you may already have around the house.

Here you'll find one way to make a tabletop work for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Try it out, then tell us: What do you have on hand that could create not only one delightful dining room setting but two?

Fresh Fall Table

This centerpiece features mason jars in two sizes, colorful votive candles and fresh sage, rosemary and tarragon grouped on a wood base.

Layer a neutral tablecloth with a runner in a warm fall color. Don't be afraid to play with patterns, like the ticking stripes in this fabric.

Place kosher salt at the bottom of the mason jars to catch the melted candle wax and allow for easy cleanup.


Black napkins add contrast and definition, and balance the softer fall colors. Create an instant napkin ring with natural twine around sprigs of sage and acorn accents.

Tip: For a more casual setting, use mason jars with handles to complement the centerpiece and mix and match vintage silverware.


For easy fall bouquets without flowers, clip fall leaves to twigs with mini clothespins (available in crafts stores). Chestnuts in the bottom of the jars keep the twigs in position.


For added accents on the ends of your table, fill wooden bowls with color from the harvest. Here we used Bosc pears and chestnuts.


Fresh artichokes in a rustic bowl look great on the table, too.


Evergreen Winter Table

At Christmastime, replace your herbs with trimmings of evergreen, pinecones and cranberries.


Bring classic Christmas red to the table with a runner and change up your candles to white tea lights. Glass pieces at the bottoms of the jars add sparkle.

Add evergreen trimmings, pinecones, cranberries and seasonal fruits, such as pomegranates or persimmons, to fan out from the centerpiece.


Smaller mason jar candles add just the right glow.


We used white dinner plates accented with a contrasting salad plate to match the napkins. But use any color that works for your mix.


Tie an evergreen sprig and a small pinecone to the napkins with a coordinating ribbon.


To personalize your meal, print or write your guests' names on cardstock and place the cards in pinecones by each place setting.


Fill wood bowls with beautiful fruit, such as rich, red pomegranates and cranberries.

Show us: How do you plan to get creative with your tablescape this year? Share a photo of your holiday table setting below!

URL: One Table, Two Holiday Settings http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25096.html