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Last-Minute Ideas to Make Your Christmas Table Look Fabulous

The holiday season is a whirlwind of activity, especially for busy families on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Between school holidays, beach outings, and last-minute shopping, decorating your Christmas table might feel like an afterthought. But don’t worry – you can still create a show-stopping setting with minimal effort using items you likely have at home or can find easily, even in nature. Here’s how to ace decorating for Christmas with a touch of Northern Beaches charm.

Green Christmas candles on a table decorated with dried lemon slices and pine foliage
Light Blue and sea shell themed table settings

1. Natural Coastal Centrepieces

Living on Sydney’s Northern Beaches offers the perfect opportunity to incorporate natural elements into your Christmas table decor. For a beachy yet festive look:

  • Collect driftwood pieces during a morning walk and arrange them in the centre of your table.
  • Add eucalyptus leaves, which are abundant in the area, for a touch of greenery. 
  • Mix in sprigs of native flowers like bottlebrush or grevillea for a pop of colour.
  • Complete the look with a string of fairy lights to bring warmth to the arrangement.
Candles on a table with christmas tree and stockings in the background
leaves, dried oranges, jars and other items for making candles

2. DIY Candle Holders

Candles instantly elevate any setting. Create quick and unique candle holders using jars or glasses:

Fill the jars with sand or seashells – both are easy to gather from nearby beaches.

Nestle tea light candles on top for a coastal vibe. If you’re feeling fancy, tie some twine around the jar and add a small sprig of rosemary, some fruit slices or a star-shaped Christmas ornament.

small pine cones with name tags

3. Creative Place Settings

Give your table a personal touch with custom place settings:

Cut name tags from recycled cardboard and tie them around rolled napkins with natural twine or use pinecones to hold them.

If you have kids, involve them by letting them draw festive motifs like stars or Christmas trees on the tags.

Use sprigs of herbs like thyme or lavender to tuck into napkin folds – it’s a simple touch that adds elegance and a subtle fragrance.

4. Festive Table Runners

If you don’t have a table runner on hand, improvise with what you have at home:

A lightweight scarf in Christmas colours can double as a chic runner.

Alternatively, use butcher paper and let your kids or guests draw festive patterns on it. This doubles as a conversation starter and adds a playful element to your table.

Table set with burgundy table runner and crystal glassware
Colourful table settings

5. Borrowed and Mixed-Up Dinnerware

Who says your tableware must match perfectly? Lean into the eclectic look:

Mix and match plates, bowls, and glasses from different sets.

For a cohesive touch, tie the look together with a consistent colour palette – for example, sticking to whites, greens, and reds.

Add small festive touches like tying a ribbon around cutlery or placing a candy cane on each plate.

6. Quick Festive Foliage Displays

Have leftover Christmas tree trimmings or extra greenery? Use them to make mini wreaths or garlands for the table:

Arrange these greens along the centre of the table with a few ornaments nestled in for sparkle.

Snip a few branches of magnolia, pine, or rosemary to create lush accents.

Australian native foliage and burnished copper plates - table setting.

7. Fruit as Decor

Fruits can serve as functional and festive decor:

Arrange bowls of vibrant citrus fruits like oranges and lemons with a few cloves studded into them for a rustic, fragrant touch.

Red apples and pomegranates add a Christmassy vibe and can also double as snacks! 

I dried a heap of orange slices in the oven last weekend which I will be tying in clusters with festive ribbon and adding to my Christmas garland and using to decorate my Christmas table.

Candle decorated with orange slices, cinnamon and foliage

8. Personalised Touches

Add heartfelt elements that reflect your family:

Write a short note or Christmas wish for each guest and place it at their setting.

Display family photos from previous Christmases as part of your table decor. It’s a lovely way to reminisce while adding a personal element.

9. Don’t Forget the Kids’ Table

If you’re hosting children, make their table just as special:

Cover it with butcher paper and provide crayons so they can create their own Christmas artwork.

Add a small festive centrepiece – perhaps a bowl of baubles or a mini Christmas tree.

10. Keep It Simple and Fun

The magic of Christmas isn’t in perfection; it’s in connection. Embrace the beauty of imperfection, lean into what you have, and prioritise creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

With these last-minute Christmas ideas, your table can look fabulous without breaking the bank or causing extra stress. And best of all, you’ll have more time to enjoy what truly matters – making memories with your loved ones.

So, get creative, take a walk along the Northern Beaches for inspiration, and let your table reflect the joy of the season.

Merry Christmas from Orli Interiors!

Photo Credits:

  • Daddy Cool
  • Hitched UK
  • OneKindDesign
  • Burkitron
  • Wedding Superstore
  • Domino
  • LaternLaneDesings
  • Midwest Life and Style
  • Unknonw