Tables That Sparkle: Setting the Perfect Table for New Year’s Celebrations

It’s nearly time to welcome in the New Year, and that means parties, parties, and more parties! If you're the host for this year's New Year's celebrations and want to wow your guests with a show-stopping table, here are a few tips on creating the perfect look that's quick, easy, and affordable.

1. Pick a colour scheme

The type of dinner party you're hosting will have a bearing on the colour scheme, as will your surroundings. There's no point going mad with the pink glitter if it's a sophisticated soirée. More contemporary colours such as black, soft grey and white are easy to use as a base for a dazzling table design. Add a little bit of metallic bling to bring some sparkle to the occasion. Copper and silver are our top choices, but you can also add a splash of colour using jewel tones such as emerald green or sapphire blue.

2. Balance the décor with simple white napkins

Using cheap, disposable paper napkins can be tempting, but if you want to make an impression, go for crisp white or colour-coordinated fabric napkins. For some extra sparkle, napkin rings are a delightfully indulgent touch.

3. Don't overwhelm the food

When you're creating that perfect party table, make sure that your décor complements the food, rather than competing with it. A plain table runner in the centre provides a neutral background where you can present your food and show it off. 

4. Make sure everyone has plenty of space

There’s nothing worse than a cramped dinner table, so ensure your places are laid out so that everyone has plenty of space. Chargers and placemats define each space and give you a fabulous starting point to lay out sparkling crystal glasses and polished cutlery.

5. A centrepiece draws in the focus

A centrepiece is the heart of the table, whether it includes candles, festive flowers, or an elegant ornament. Make sure that guests can see over the top and that it’s not so big that it gets in the way of guests as they try to converse across the table. 

6. Don’t forget the lighting

Soft lighting is the perfect way to create a warm and friendly atmosphere, but don’t tone it down so much that people can’t see what they’re eating! If you don’t have a dimmer switch on your main ceiling lighting, consider dotting a couple of free-standing floor lamps around the room and then adding candles and table lamps to create the ideal lighting balance. Alternatively, why not drape twinkling fairy lights around the room for a magical ambience?

7. Matching tableware

After all of that effort, the easiest way to spoil the look is to present your food on mismatched tableware. Glasses should be sparkling, polished and matched, and plates should be part of a set for maximum effect. A simple white or black dinner service is a great way to showcase your food. Don’t forget the serving bowls, either – a matched service looks so much more elegant than a jumbled assortment of ‘back of the cupboard’ serving bowls!

You don't need to go crazy to create a memorable New Year's dinner party. As with everything, get the basics right, and you can then embellish your table to produce a dazzling dinner party that everyone will remember long after the last New Year fireworks have faded away!