Style, Decor & More: Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table on a Budget

Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table on a Budget

Disclosure:  I am participating in a Holiday campaign for AARP Services, Inc. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I am in no way affiliated with AARP Services Inc. and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. I only blog about brands and services I trust. 

Are you hosting a dinner party this holiday season? Hosting parties can often be stressful, but there is a stress-free way to set a beautiful table and stay within your budget. Whether your hosting style is casually elegant or over the top glitz and glamour, a budget-friendly tablescape is within reach. Two lucky people won't have to worry about a budget for their holiday table, but I'll have more on the awesome $500 American Express Gift Card giveaway at the end of this post. Let's get started on a beautiful holiday table setting... 

Below are my top five hosting tips that will impress your guests and also help you stick to your budget:

Tip 1: Start with a simple white tablecloth that can be used all year round. In the long run, it saves money and offers the most versatility. Think of white as a clean slate for adding color or keeping it neutral. 
  

Tip 2: Mix high and low priced items on your table. Visit thrift stores for candlesticks, glasses and serving ware, and shop post-holiday clearance for charger plates and dinner plates. A few years ago, I purchased the white dishes shown throughout this post at a whopping 90% off after Christmas sale! It goes to show you CAN indeed have a beautiful table on any budget. 

During the holiday season, AARP is sharing the love and savings with its members. AARP members get access to GREAT discounts from retailers across the country. One of my favorites is 1-800-Flowers.com! There is nothing quite like fresh flowers to make an entire room come alive and a tablescape look stunning! Best of all, AARP members receive 20% off beautiful holiday bouquets from 1-800-Flowers.com! I'm obsessed with the floral Holiday tree below, and I'll bet it smells as beautiful as it looks! 

AARP members also save 20% on Harry & David Gourmet Gifts. For more than 80 years, Harry & David has been growing Royal Riviera® PearsIt has become a tradition to send the pears to our special friends and clients. I also order a box or two for us to enjoy! 


Tip 3: Fresh fruit adds a splash of color and texture to your table. Yum! Your guests will be tempted to sink their teeth into Mother Nature's sweet and juicy decoration. 


If you are someone who likes to jump straight to dessert, then you will love the AARP offer for Cheryl's where you can save 25% on cookies and treats! Your guests will be delighted when you bring out coffee and yummy treats from Cheryl's, and you'll be delighted that you didn't have to fuss with baking.


Tip 4: Create your own napkin rings. Use festive ribbon to create beautiful napkin rings that sparkle (see below). The ribbon napkin rings are super-fast and easy to make. Simply use the ribbon to measure the circumference of the napkin, cut the ribbon, and staple. Add greenery for color and voila! The elegant napkin holders will cost you pennies on the dollar!



Tip 5:  Holiday bulbs.  Ornaments are another easy way to add a festive touch to your tablescape. Randomly place bulbs in the center of your table to add a burst of color and brilliant shine.  


The GIVEAWAY has ended.

Wouldn't the holidays be sweeter with an extra $500? 

Enter the How Do You Holiday Sweepstakes at OneFrontPorch.com and you may be one of the TWO lucky people who have a chance to
Good Luck and Happy Holidays!



42 comments :

  1. That table setting is so beautiful. I love how you were able to use the gold without making it tacky. That's not easy to do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Stacie! I appreciate your kind comments. I'm obsessed with gold and agree, if overdone it can be tacky! :)
      Have a great holiday and thanks for stopping by!
      nancy

      Delete
  2. This setting is simply gorgeous! I always have trouble setting a table.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I honestly could use an extra $500! I'll head over and enter the sweepstakes. Can't win if you don't play!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That setting looks beautiful and easy to put together. $500? Yes please!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I appreciate your kind words and thanks for stopping by!
      Have a great holiday!
      nancy

      Delete
  5. One day I'll have fabulous table settings! Right now my consist of dishes that don't break and homemade Christmas crafts from the kids school!! Tacky but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer,
      Corelle is my favorite unbreakable dish! Still have mine that was given as a wedding gift 30 years ago! :)
      Have a great holiday!

      Delete
  6. I want that table setting - the tree with flowers. GORGEOUS. I can't wait to decorate like this (when my kids are older-no white in my house for now) lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy! The kids grow so fast!
      Have a great holiday!
      nancy

      Delete
  7. Great tips on making your table look terrific. I had no idea AARP offered discounts on 1-800 Flowers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue,
      I love AARP! I always thought it was for old people and now that I'm at the AARP age, it's not for old people! hee-hee
      Have a great holiday!

      Delete
  8. Love these table settings. These are great ideas. Love the pear ideas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The pears are so yummy to eat afterward! I love edible decor!
      Thanks for stopping by, Kathy.
      Happy holidays!

      Delete
  9. Simply elegant table setting. I don't really set our table fancy on a regular basis but this would be great when entertaining some guests during holiday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. It's nice for if you have a few guests coming over. When it is a large group of family members, I don't bother either.
      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  10. Absolutely stunning ideas. I love starting with the white tablecloth. It just sets such a beautiful foundation to build on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Cyn! I agree! I love using white tablecloths.
      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  11. I don't decorate my table for the holidays because we don't eat here. We always go to my mother in laws house and there are so many of us to wash a bunch of dishes. So we use paper plates.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christy, We do the same. My hubby's family celebrates Christmas Eve and my family celebrates Christmas Day. It's a large gathering at both houses.
      I only decorate the table for small get togethers, entertaining clients, etc.
      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  12. We are always on a budget when it comes to Christmas. I absolutely love these ideas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheena! I appreciate you stopping by!
      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  13. That floral tree is so pretty! I don't usually do a big meal for Christmas so I've never had to stress a table, but I do like looking at how people decorate for theirs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a beautiful theme for Christmas Day! I love the setup of table, it looks elegant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Victoria!
      Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  15. What an absolutely beautiful table setting. I love that you have gone for a table cloth that could be used all year around I think that can make such a huge difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sarah-Louise,
      Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
      Happy Holidays to you and yours!

      Delete
  16. These settings are just breathtaking! I love being able to collect decor through the year to use for when I have guests over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nichole,
      Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
      I agree. I love to pick up things throughout the year and when I see them on sale!
      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  17. This is beautiful. I don't do a table setting often, but when I do I want it to be uber cute like this one. I'm having a holiday lunch for the girls next week. I will keep these tips in mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mimi! I hope your holiday lunch was a success!
      Thanks for stopping by and have a great holiday!
      nancy

      Delete
  18. That table setting is gorgeous! I haven't had to decorate a table in quite a long time, but I think a white table cloth is one of my next purchases.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy, The white tablecloths sure do come in handy!
      Thanks for stopping by and have a great holiday!

      Delete
  19. I always host Thanksgiving and will bookmark these great tablescaping ideas for next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds great, Kat! I hope it helps!
      Thanks for stopping by!
      nancy

      Delete
  20. I just love the way you did the napkins. I might have to steal it, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  21. First thing I said to myself when I looked at the setting is WOW! if only I were so talented. Beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for stopping by, Jill!
    Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete

I LOVE hearing from you!! Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts! :)