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7 Christmas Table Decorations that are Simple and Modern

Use these 7 Christmas table decorations to set a gorgeous Christmas dinner table! Simple and modern, you might already have several of these items around your home!

Throw a stylish holiday dinner party with items you might already have around your home. Simple and modern, these Christmas table decorations are pieces that you can use and reuse for years to come.

With a non-traditional Christmas color palette, this black and gold Christmas table feels fresh, modern, and unexpected. Whether you decide to go black and gold or white and silver, the key ingredients are the same. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to pull together a gorgeous Christmas table in minutes.

simple christmas table decorations - black, gold, green

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Christmas Table Decorations on a Budget

Regular readers know that once a month I write a Contributor Post at Beauty in the Mess. For November, I shared How to Throw a Holiday Party on a Budget, and you got a glimpse of my Christmas tablescape.

I pulled together an elegant Christmas table setting for a dinner party… for a grand total of $0.00! A deal, right? I mean, that’s even cheaper than a set of paper plates.

To read my tips on throwing budget friendly dinner parties, visit Beauty in the Mess. Those tips will work for any color palette or theme.

7 Christmas Table Decoration Ideas

1. Vintage Crochet Tablecloth

Start with a vintage crochet tablecloth. Yes, this is a modern Christmas table, but mixing old and new is modern decorating. A crochet tablecloth is like the “something old” for a wedding, it adds a sense of history.

In my opinion, a crocheted tablecloth and table runners are a must-have entertaining staple. In white or cream, they match practically every party theme (see my crochet table runners on this rustic Christmas table and at my daughter’s ladybug birthday party).

Plus, the delicate and intricate design instantly elevates the elegance of the other Christmas table decorations. Crocheted tablecloths drape beautifully, too (I mean look at the end of that table! Gorgeous, right?!).

black gold and green christmas table decorations
black, gold, and lace christmas table decorations

2. Modern Gift Wrap

As a wide runner, and a second layer, unroll your favorite modern gift wrap. This black and gold paper is stunning and you’d never guess it was intended to simply wrap presents.

With the gift wrap layer, I’ve now introduced the main colors in the color palette: black and gold. Not into black and gold? No worries. Select a modern gift wrap in the color palette you prefer for your Christmas table decorations.

black gold and green christmas table decorations

3. Cluster of Candles

A general rule of thumb when decorating is that groups will make an impact. Sometimes called the “rule of three,” it generally works with any odd number 3 or greater.

Skinny, mid-century brass candlesticks (from my favorite annual “world’s longest” yard sale) clustered in the center of the Christmas table are simple and understated – yet strikingly modern.

Like crocheted tablecloths, these are another one of my must-have entertaining staples (see them used in a hot apple cider bar and a simple fall centerpiece).

black and gold christmas table decorations

4. Neutral Dishes

While I can’t claim to have planned for Christmas table decorations when I selected our cream dishes, I’m so glad that I chose neutral dinnerware. If you don’t have neutral dishes, plan your color palette around the color of your dishes.

black gold and green christmas table decorations

For example, the third color in this table setting is green. If I owned red dishes, red would be the third color in the palette. If I owned navy dishes, blue would be a color in the palette (I’d probably use a blue and gold gift wrap, too). Etc.

But, if you are shopping for a set of dishes, I recommend neutral colors that will provide you years of both daily meals and dinner parties.

5. Fancy Glassware

I’ve found that a few fancy glasses instantly elevates a table, whether it is crystal low tumblers or a set of basic stemware. So, even though my neutral dishes aren’t delicate and are completely suitable for everyday – all of the Christmas table decorations feel fancier due to the glassware.

6. Natural Elements

In this tutorial for an easy Christmas centerpiece, I recommend including a natural element. Since this table’s centerpiece doesn’t have any natural elements, I incorporated it into the place setting, instead.

green and white christmas table decorations
Elegant Christmas Table Setting with Black, Gold, Lace by @CraftivityD

As a huge fan of decorating with magnolia leaves, it made sense to incorporate my favorite deep green leaf into this Christmas table setting. Using a white chalk marker, I wrote each guest’s name on the green side of the magnolia leaf.

7. Cloth Napkins

Finally, always use cloth napkins as one of your Christmas table decorations. Fabric napkins will add to the elegance of your table, but they’ll also continue the color palette.

Since green is the third color in this palette, I used our green cloth napkins. For additional color, I simply folded them in half and hung them over the side of the table, tucked securely between the salad and dinner plate.

Elegant Christmas Table Setting with Black, Gold, Lace by @CraftivityD

Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop

If you’re a fan of a pretty table setting, there is more to see! Check out many more lovely Christmas table decorations, today and Wednesday. Find all of the links, directly below the image.

Elegant Christmas Table Setting with Black, Gold, Lace by @CraftivityD

Monday
Craftivity Designs / North Country Nest / 2 Bees in a Pod / My Creative Days

Wednesday
Designers Sweet Spot / Our Crafty Mom / Meet Our Life / Life on the Bay Bush

Want to save these Christmas table ideas? Pin it!

modern christmas table decorations - black, gold, green

Michelle James

Thursday 1st of December 2016

Such a beautiful Tablescape! Love the layers of fabrics! Very inviting!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 6th of December 2016

Thanks, Michelle!! :)

Kelly @ North Country Nest

Wednesday 30th of November 2016

I love the lace - it adds such an elegant touch to the tablescape and you seriously cannot beat free decor. It turned out just lovely, Lora!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 6th of December 2016

Thanks, Kelly :) I love using lace.

zan

Monday 28th of November 2016

I love the bold colors and the things you used to create the tablescape. The wrapping paper goes very well with the green and it is such a frugal idea too. I popped over to read your post at Beauty in the Mess - I love all the tips you gave.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 29th of November 2016

Thanks, Zan! Glad you visited BITM :)

Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod

Monday 28th of November 2016

Your tablescape is so pretty. Those candlesticks are beautiful...we love the magnolia leaf place card too!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 29th of November 2016

Thanks!!

Amanda

Monday 28th of November 2016

I love, love, love the black and gold polka dots! They are so glamorous!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 29th of November 2016

Thanks, Amanda!!