Luxe Collection votives in a spectrum of reds from Accent Decor.

Gold pinecone tree candles, antique gold birds, silk ribbon and framed print are from the Angel Collection by K&K Interiors.

Phil’s Snowmen painted blocks from Collins Painting & Design.

Shaved wood trees, resin cherubs and faux poinsettia from K&K Interiors.

A professional decorator can create table settings that will make your guests red, white and green with envy. But you can make the season bright on your own with the right holiday accents.

 

Shoppers will spend about $47 on seasonal decorations and $18 on flowers during the 2011 holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. Many of these decorations and flowers will be displayed prominently at the dining table. Simply mix some fresh florals with new and existing accents, and create your own affordable, festive tablescapes:

 

Clear glass or crystal containers—vases, hurricanes, goblets, cloches, candy dishes, jars—are especially versatile and can be clustered to create a compelling centerpiece on your dining table. The most effective displays present a mix of container heights and/or shapes.

 

Fill an odd number of vessels—three for a smaller table, five for a larger table—with holiday miscellany, such as vintage glass ornaments grouped by color, or strings of holiday-themed ribbons or garland. Pinecones, acorns, cinnamon sticks and dried cranberries create a display inspired by nature. A mix of green, white and/or red gourmet candy is both festive and inviting. Note: Don’t create a centerpiece display that is so tall, guests can’t see the person seated across from them.

 

A theme provides a foundation for your holiday decor, but too much repetition and cutesy can turn super syrupy, super quick. A subtle approach results in a more elegant presentation—perhaps your table runner is embroidered with winter birds, and the motif is repeated on the place cards and dessert plates.

 

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, a year-round Christmas store, recommends a few styles for 2011: retro/vintage circa 1960s and 1970s; gingerbread characters and houses; and traditional red plaid accents.

 

Holiday and gift products resource Midwest-CBK, meanwhile, expects classic Christmas rooted in nostalgia (traditional and classic Santa Claus and snowman characters), whimsical and crafted items (knit characters and felt and woven ornaments) and winter garden (bringing the outdoors in) will be hot sellers this season.

 

Maintain a consistent color palette, and don’t limit your options to predictable holiday combinations. Choose a color for your table linens, and build from there. Introduce gold accents to your table display, and add instant elegance. Mercury silver, champagne gold and pastels evoke a vintage mood. A turquoise/red/white palette is both retro and nostalgic. Fuchsia, red and gold are both elegant and modern. Or, combine Cardinal red, pine green and winter white to create a nature-inspired look.

 

Candles are the ultimate mood enhancer, and the options are many. The standard variety of pillars, votives and tapered candles add welcome and warmth to a tablescape, as well as authenticity and charm. Battery-operated models are a no-mess, low-maintenance choice that’s safe for families with small children. And molded candles shaped like evergreens and forest creatures are especially festive; the glitter finishes on these candles look extra luxurious in low-lighting settings.