Pull out your festive red, white, and green decor, plates, and linens to create a cheerful tablescape for Christmas morning breakfast or brunch. You won’t believe what I used for a tablecloth!
SET A FUN AND FESTIVE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING
Just in time for Christmas morning, here’s a joyful and easy tablescape idea for a relaxed breakfast or brunch. Set the table a day or two ahead so you can spend the holiday morning visiting with family while the food finishes warming in the oven. I always pair this setup with a make-ahead breakfast casserole—simple to prep ahead or freeze—and some fresh fruit and orange juice for a fuss-free start to the day.
My mom crocheted a set of delicate snowflake placemats that I treasure. I layered each placemat with a shiny red charger, a tartan plaid dinner plate, a whimsical Christmas-tree salad plate, and a small muffin plate on top. I love mixing patterns at the holidays, so stacking these varied dishes gives the table a lively, collected look without feeling chaotic.
Because there are already several patterns on the table, I kept the napkins simple: plain white linen napkins provide a clean, calm contrast to the plaids and prints, tying everything together.
AN EASY IDEA FOR CLEANUP
Let’s talk about my “tablecloth.” It isn’t a traditional fabric cloth—rather, I used an extra-wide roll of black-and-white buffalo-plaid wrapping paper and layered it with a red-and-white striped wrapping paper on top. Each end of the paper is wrapped under the table and secured with tape.
This solution makes cleanup a breeze: if there are spills or crumbs, I simply roll up the paper and discard it. If the table remains tidy, I brush away crumbs and roll the paper back up to use for gift wrapping later. It’s a festive, inexpensive trick that adds pattern and color without the worry of stains.
AN EASY CENTERPIECE IDEA
This centerpiece is incredibly simple to recreate and looks charmingly rustic. Use any shallow container or vintage box you have on hand, then stand assorted Christmas platters or decorative plates on their sides inside the container. Arrange them at different heights and angles for visual interest.
Fill the remaining spaces with little artificial trees, sprigs of faux greenery, or pinecones. Adding a pair of sparkly red candlesticks lifted the whole arrangement and brought a bit of shine and height to the middle of the table.
The layered plates and greenery create texture, while small decorative accents—mini trees, faux boxwood, or a few ornaments—add seasonal charm without cluttering the table.
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE RECIPE
I make a favorite breakfast casserole every year for Christmas morning. To avoid being tied to the kitchen, I either prepare and freeze the casserole ahead of time or assemble it the day before and reheat on the morning of. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that pairs perfectly with fresh fruit and orange juice. For those who want to prepare ahead, freezing or refrigerating overnight makes the day-of routine effortless.
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE RECIPE
Before I sign off for the holiday, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I’ll be spending time with family and will return after the new year. May your home be filled with joy, warmth, and the simple pleasures of shared meals and good company this season.
