Create A Rainbow Inspired Christmas Table Setting
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
IMAGES: LISA ATKINSON
After the year we have had, we all deserve a little colour in our lives this Christmas.
There really is nothing better than walking into a brightly decorated space, with a beautiful tree sporting decorations in every shade possible, with gifts underneath all ribboned and wrapped - I get excited at just the thought! So this Christmas, after the year we have had - I really think it’s time to break from whatever decorating tradition you rely upon - year in, year out - and think about getting festive in FULL COLOUR?
Let’s start with the hero of the month - The beautiful Christmas tree. Creating this colourful rainbow tree was a dream, to graduate the colours like that of a rainbow - on a tree, using decorations on mass making sure they are colour blocked, was so fun to do and just looked amazing. Many shops sell cylinders of coloured balls that are very inexpensive, and by grouping them in this style and creating the layers - your tree will be a Christmas rainbow in no time. Want to take it to the next level? Adding even a few glitter balls and a tonne of twinkling pealights will bring this rainbow to life.
I also love the idea of using the same collection of coloured baubles to create a really fun and festive Christmas wreath. All you need to do is buy a cheap and cheerful wreath (purely for the size and shape) and by using a hot glue gun stick on the coloured balls in your chosen rainbow shades. I promise you you’ll have lots of comments when guests come to your door. Another fun activity that you can include the kids in is making old fashion paper chains in rainbow shades, so simple yet so effective. These can look gorgeous dressing up a mantle piece or even the staircase, are so cheap and easy to make and really give the rainbow theme a big old boost.
Now, the second most important item of the day - The Christmas table! Starting off with a simple white table as your base, keep your plates and glassware simple so that the centrepiece of this table can truly shine. Made from a collection of brightly wrapped boxes, this centrepiece is one of the cheapest and easiest DIY’s I have done in a long time! Displaying them in a simple row, these boxes match back to the tree in their rainbow tones, continuing the theme of a beautifully happy rainbow-inspired Christmas!
5 ways to add some fun to your Christmas table
Pick up some fun cutlery to add a little sparkle to your table. Gold, silver, paint-dipped or even printed disposables - there are so many varieties available these days, why not mix it up?
Coloured glassware works perfectly into the theme but again - a recyclable option will save you money and time.
I love searching through party shops for little bits and bobs like swizzle sticks, poppers, confetti, ribbons, and the like, to add detail to my table settings. Don’t feel as though everything (or anything for that matter) has to be traditionally festive - because it’s outside the box where the magic happens.
A small boxed gift for every guest is a lovely way to do the place settings. Gifts don’t have to be extravagant, a cute biscuit or decoration to take home is plenty.
Using a rainbow palette allows you to focus on a spectrum of colours - feel free to choose one or two to act as your hero colour. Maybe you have a collection of reb baubles - let these be the focus on the table setting, or attach your nametag to these? Then using red straws for your cocktails and red ribbons to tie your gift boxes brings the look together.
