One of the fastest, simplest, and least costly ways to set a vintage holiday decorating theme is with Christmas tablecloths.
The holidays are a time of feasts, and the family table takes on a whole new importance during the festive season. Between holiday meals the table is one of the natural focal points of any home, and how you dress it can go a long way toward solidly establishing a theme of vintage Christmas decorations.
Making sure your table covering is a good match for your overall theme is super important. Use the following tips to choose the covering that best matches your theme.
Victorian: Go for the look of formal luxury. A silky, shiny floor length cloth is an excellent starting point. If you happen to be the lucky owner of an antique silk brocade, this is the time to use it! But if you’re not, you’ll find dozens of super-inexpensive “lookalikes” in any discount store.
Deep jewel tones like burgundy or a dark, rich green or purple will blend beautifully with a Victorian theme, but using a white, cream, or ecru cloth will work too.
Multiple layers fabric are typical of the era, so don’t stop with the basic covering. Adding more fabrics is a great way to introduce more color, and there are plenty of options:
- add an over-cloth of lace, tulle, or any sheer fabric. Look for inexpensive lace cloths in discount stores, and remember that you can buy tulle, lace, etc. by the yard in a fabric store.
- go with a spectacular table runner. A richly decorated or vibrantly colored table runner can really add to the period look. Plain runners from discount stores cost only a few dollars, and with a hot glue gun and some fancy braids and trims, they can quickly be dressed up for the ultimate Victorian look.
Rustic: Think sturdy, sensible, and handmade when you’re chosing a Christmas tablecloth to compliment a rustic decorating theme.
-Heavy cottons, bright gingham or calico, and even burlap can all work beautifully as tablecoverings for a rustic theme.
- Multiple layers work with a rustic theme, so use table runners or placements as a way to add color. Try mixing fabrics; a red and green plaid with a poinsettia print, for example.
- Avoid metalics, beading, etc. For decoration stick to brightly colored braids, rick rack, or simple embroidery.
Retro: Clear, bright colors and bold, simple graphics are the hallmarks of retro decorating, so look for classic fifties Christmas colors like white with apple green and fire engine red.
- During the postwar period the concept of streamlining was a big part of design, so don’t go too far with the multi-layer look. Instead, go with a table covering that features a prominent all-over design or a big, bright border print.
- Keep table settings and embellishments simple.
- Look for prints that feature Santa, snowmen, etc. or simple graphics like bells, poinsettias, candles, etc.
Not sure which era best suits your decorating style? Take this simple quiz and find out which type of vintage Christmas decorations is right for you!
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