"With the countdown to Christmas begun we are looking forward to looking after our clients at Ochiltree’s Dining and other venues as well as having the honour of hosting special family events in your own home. We are known at The Orde Food Company for our attention to detail with all aspects of your special occasion taken care of including the decoration of the tables. We makes sure that each function we do reflects the tastes and personality of the client, whether that’s a corporate launch, wedding or private catering for a family get together or field sports visit.
Christmas is of course a time when we all make an effort to decorate our homes and gardens, but the dining table is just as important. There’s still a few weeks to go but the key thing is to be prepared to give yourself the opportunity to try out some ideas well before the big day itself.
1. The Classic Touch
Use traditional colours to get the Classic Christmas Table. Use a red tablecloth with red and white plates and separate each plate with a red napkin. Finally place green ornaments in clear vases up and down the table.
2. A Sweet Twist
Bring a sweet taste to Christmas by mixing bright oranges with classic green and rich copper. Decorate the table with vases filled with mini oranges and ivory roses. In the centre of your table put a bowl of oranges inside a vintage bird cage and then transform your table with twinkling star lights suspended from a chandelier decorated with evergreens. Scatter some copper penny sweets for a final fun touch.
3. Winter Wonderland
If we’re lucky we might finally get that much coveted White Christmas but if not you create a snow scene as you tuck into your Christmas Dinner. Firstly, use a cool blue tablecloth and then add icy white plates with silver wrapped favours for each guest filled with a Christmas chocolate treat. Give your table height with fanned out blue napkins and tuck them into glasses adorned with silver napkin rings. Complete the winter theme with frosty ornaments and silver trees.
4. The Mistletoe or Kissing Chair
Dress up your dining room chairs with red cushions, sprigs of mistletoe and shiny ornaments and continue the theme on the table with vases with mistletoe and festoon the table with decorations.
5. And don’t forget the Breakfast Table
With my family, breakfast is a very important meal but even more so at Christmas. We start the day with treats and luxuries like creamy scrambled egg with smoked salmon or Parma ham. A glass or two of Bucks Fizz is a must! So why not start your day in style and decorate your breakfast table? Put a red tablecloth down then horizontally place striped place mats before adding a tiny patterned plate of top of a dinner plate. Then finish the table with paper snowflakes for place settings and set out peppermint sticks to stir cups of coffee or hot chocolate. Some mini marshmallow snowmen are a fun treat for children."
We hope this gets you inspired for decorating your dining table this Christmas and thanks to Alan for sharing some of his creative expertise with us.