This 12 Days of Christmas Table Setting idea is adorable, festive, and affordable! Watch my bonus video to learn how to properly set an informal table this holiday season.
This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. As always, all opinions on the adorable products are 100% mine. Affiliate links are used to source all online products. You can find the complete source list for everything used at the end of the post.
How to Set an Informal Table
Christmas decor is slowly making its way into our home, and I could not be more thrilled! I love this time of year and all of the holiday cheer. To kick off this Christmas season, I’m creating a beautiful tablescape using seasonal products from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.
When setting a table, it’s important to know where to place all of your tableware. A good rule of thumb to remember is that while dining you work with the utensils starting on the outside and working towards the middle. For example, salad is typically eaten as a first course so the salad fork is placed to the left of the dinner fork. Likewise, if soup is being served you typically eat it before the main course so the soup spoon is placed to the right of the teaspoon. Knives should be placed to the right of the plate with blade tips facing the plate. Watch my quick video below to see how to set an informal table!
I have an amusing story to share regarding an improperly set table. I was recently eating multiple courses at an upscale restaurant for a brand event. Soup was served before dinner and the soup spoon was misplaced on the table. It was placed to the right of the teaspoon which confused many people. Most people know that you are supposed to use the utensils on the outside and work your way towards the center, so many people just used their teaspoon for the soup course. However, when it was time for the server to clear the soup course they struggled with which utensils to remove from each guests setting. The server just ended up removing the unused soup spoon as well as the teaspoon from each setting. Some guests needed new teaspoons later on in the meal. Setting a table incorrectly confuses people!
Affordable 12 Days of Christmas Tablescape
Every item on the table with the exception of the boxwood garland is from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart. I have linked all of the products I used on my table at the end of the post. Simply click on the product name to be taken to page where you can purchase the products that interest you.
Tip: Incorporate Natural Elements
In keeping with the 12 days of Christmas theme, I thought it would be fun to place a fresh pear at each place setting. I love to include natural elements in my table decor. I also placed fresh cranberries along the boxwood runner and on the reindeer candle stands.
Tip: Create a Separate Beverage Station
Creating a separate beverage station frees up valuable real estate on your table and allows guests to choose their own beverage. I used the Better Homes & Gardens beverage server with galvanized stand as well as the galvanized tiered tray to hold beverages.
Shop the Post
Listed below are all products from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart used in my tablescape. Simply click on the product name to shop for that item.
- Placemats: Better Homes & Gardens 14 in Square Jute Placemat, Red
- Chargers: Better Homes & Gardens Gold Beaded Pewter 4-Pack Charger Plates
- Dinner Plates: Better Homes & Gardens Scalloped Dinner Plates, White Set of 6
- Napkins: Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Red Metallic Napkins 2 Pack
- Salad Plates: Better Homes & Gardens 12 Days of Christmas Salad Plate, 4 Pack
- Silverware: Better Homes & Gardens Alder Rose Gold 20-Piece Flatware Set
- Lanterns: Better Homes & Gardens Metal & Glass Lantern, Gold Finish (comes in 3 sizes)
- Reindeer Candle Holders: Better Homes & Gardens Deer Candle Holder
- Beverage Dispenser: Better Homes & Gardens 2-Gallon Beverage Dispenser
- Tiered Tray: Better Homes & Gardens 2-Tier Round Serve
For more table tip ideas, please see my related posts below. I love partnering with Better Homes & Gardens and sharing affordable and adorable products with all of you!
You can visit Better Homes & Gardens Live Better on:
Lolly Jane says
Now THAT is a table setting I’d love to sit at! Gorgeous, girl!
Beth says
Thank you friends! I appreciate it! 🙂
Shannon Fox says
Everything looks beautiful Beth! The red looks truly stunning in your dining room.
Beth says
Thank you so much Shannon! You’re always such an encourager and I love that about you! 🙂