Family traditions are what we remember most about the holidays, and it’s never too late to start a new tradition. Start making holiday memories by adding place settings to your holiday routine. Gather the family and get creative — or even crafty — with these fun and simple table settings that can really add a touch of elegance to your next big holiday meal. Give the kiddos something to be proud of while they impress your guests with a fun and festive tablescape this holiday season.
The first setting in our list only calls for five items and can be put together fairly quickly. You’ll need satsuma mandarins (or any other small citrus fruit – preferably with the stem still attached), a handful of star anise, candles/candleholders of your choice, white gift tags, small alphabet stamps and ink. Finding the citrus fruits can be a fun trip in and of itself. Whether you find them at a local market or a farmer’s market, these little guys are the staple of this bright autumn setting. You can stamp on holiday phrases such as “thankful” or “give thanks” or use them as nameplates for the family to give it that personal touch. The star anise is not only delicately beautiful, but it also smells amazing and reminds you of all the delicious spiced food we enjoy in the fall.
Kraft paper plays a huge role in many of the modern table setting trends of 2018. This timeless, inexpensive and versatile material allows for bounds of creativity, and here are just a couple of ideas for how to use it this holiday season. Using a white paint marker, you can create a personalized “place card/placemat” right on your kraft paper runner. Round out the look with a marble palette for dishware and sea green- to celadon-toned centerpieces. You can add to this idea or leave it out for a fun and simple way to spruce up the runner. You can use edge punchers (found at any local craft shop) to give the runner a delicate yet elegant touch. Ribbons make for great napkin ties and can be adorned with a plethora of different leaves and berries and can be tied together with a name card for this fun family project. Lastly, kraft paper can be laid out on children’s tables with mini terracotta pots filled with crayons for a fun dinnertime activity.
Lastly, in true Balmoral fashion, you can utilize a stunning sky blue- and sand-based palette for a coastal holiday setting! Small baby boo white pumpkins (yes, that’s really what they’re called) with name tags tied with raffia make pretty little place cards — perfect for this elegant seaside motif.
Whether this is your first year in Balmoral or you’ve been calling Balmoral home for a while now, we know the holidays will always be unforgettable when you’re home.