Christmas tables that are dressed to thrill

A CHRISTMAS table is the focal point of the festive celebrations and it should sparkle so it adds to the pleasure of the food and the company.

Setting a table is all about entertaining your guests - and the choice and positioning of the china, glassware, flowers, candles and table linen will make it unique.

Let your imagination run free and have fun with personal touches such as individual place cards, miniature bouquets or tiny table gifts.

Not only will those gathered around you feel welcome and cherished but your table will be the star of the show.

KEY LOOKS THIS SEASON:

LUXURY

Dress a table in gold and silver for this timeless style, which has echoes of the past but also includes up-to-date touches.

Caroline Atkins, author of Country Living: Country Christmas (Collins & Brown, £12.99), says: "The more gold you introduce the more sumptuous the look will be. Setting the table with gold-rimmed china and glasses will add to the festivity of the occasion. Add gold crackers and napkins.

"Alternatively, look for napkins in glittering organza. Tie cutlery into individual bunches with metallic ribbon or turn them into boxed sets by buying flat gold boxes from a stationery store.

"Line with tissue, add a small gift and then bind the box with ribbon so each guest has a `gift' to open before the meal."

Get the look:

Habitat and Heal's also have imaginative ranges that won't break the bank but will transform a table into a seasonal stunner;

Interiors specialist Emily Readett Bayley has decorations which are ideal for Christmas tables, including golden wooden fruit and stars as well as letters in gold and silver to spell Noel or names. www.emilyreadettbayley.com;

Arrange clear glass baubles, sprinkle tiny gold scatter stars and twists of gold ribbon available from stationery stores, such as Paperchase.

MONOCHROME

This elegant look, using the classic elements of black and white, is a favourite for interiors this season and suits modern tables in a contemporary setting.

Get the look:

Stylish white porcelain designed by Nick Munro. Plates start at £25, or Hoganas plates with white centre and black band rim, £16.50.

Team with Waterford Crystal Black Cut collection of glasses and decanter by John Rocha of Flute, £80, decanter, £130. Add black and silver feather crackers, £15 each, silver-plated tea light holders, £30 each.

All available from John Lewis, which also has a selection of dining tables and chairs. Contact 08456 049 049/www.johnlewis.com;

For a simple pure white or Scandinavian style keep decoration to the minimum apart from a centre display of brilliantly coloured tree baubles spilling out of a gift box. Or use gold or steel table decorations from Scandinavian company, Menu. 01227 470 040/www.menu.as

GLAMOUR

This look needs sparkling, highly individual and feminine, touches. Crystal tea-light holders in a line down the centre of the table could be interspersed with fresh flowers such as red roses or carnations set in chunky glass or gleaming metallic containers.

Add little touches such as sparkling fabric butterflies or diamante jewellery.

Get the look:

Florist Jane Packer has stunning clear glass and black table accessories such as candlesticks and vases from £20 each;

Distinctive collections of china by Missoni, Zandra Rhodes, Cacharel and Kenzo are available from The Fine Dining area in Selfridges. 0870 837 7377/www.selfridges.com

DESIGNER'S GUIDE:

Leading designers and style experts give their ideas and inspiration for Christmas tables:

Jasper Conran: "I think people are rediscovering the art of table dressing now they're entertaining more at home and Christmas is the perfect opportunity to really be imaginative. The table should look interesting and have a few surprises with richness in floral decoration and possibly in tableware."

His ranges for Wedgwood include chic metallic touches in the elegant Platinum lined and Platinum striped collections and bright colour in the richly-decorated Green Chinoiserie pattern. Platinum Lined 7in plate, £13. Ring 0800 028 0026.

Top tip: "Avoid uniformity by mixing and matching bone china ranges to create layers of perkiness with a flirtatious sensibility."

Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company (www.thewhitecompany.com): "Try a theme such as white, silver and green, or white, silver and red. I find it's always best to use lots of one colour (in my case it's white!) and then add smaller highlights of other colours.

"For example, a white tablecloth looks beautiful dressed with glass candlesticks, silver cutlery and white winter roses with green foliage."

Top tip: "Use mini sparklers to really light up the Christmas pudding."

Michelle Ogundehin, editor of Elle Decoration magazine: "Remember that your guests are coming to see you, not a perfect table. So pay attention to them and keep the table design simple - it will be far more striking!"

Top tip: "Use only three colours (one of which should always be white), and keep it co-ordinated: white, red and gold; or white, dark ivy green and pale lemon. Don't be tempted to mix and match or go bonkers with crackers!"

Joanna Wood, (www.joannawood.co.uk) whose interiors shop sells table accessories and Christmas decorations: "The biggest mistake at Christmas is not going far enough with the table decoration. Fantasise a bit. This year I will use red, black and gold for a colour scheme and a selection of flowers, greenery or fruit on the table. I love contrasting china and I experiment with changing the crockery for each course - perhaps glass plates for the starter."

Top tip: "Spray a beautiful pile of apples and pears with glitter and display them on a luxurious silver dish for the centrepiece. I love to write on holly leaves with a silver or gold pen and use them as place names.

"Buy a selection of gilded and silver sweets from stores such as Fortnum & Mason and scatter over tablecloth. Almonds and Smarties in metal leaf are particularly beautiful."

Alison Henry (www.alisonhenry.com): "I love to hide little surprises on my Christmas dining table in the holly foliage or tucked in napkins.

"This year my theme is gold and silver with large antique gold candelabras and candles along the length of the table, silver cutlery, woven gold place mats, and white porcelain with gold borders and gold crackers."

Top tip: "I also make the setting personal by writing a guest's name and a little message on to a mirror tile which I use instead of a place mat."