Christmas in the Rex household is genuinely my favourite day of the year. It’s peak cosy – there’s always some random Christmas film on the TV (which automatically makes it better because it’s on actual television), and I spend the entire day rotating between Quality Street and a Terry’s Chocolate Orange like it’s a completely valid meal plan. Then there’s Christmas lunch: Mum’s roast, her famous roast potatoes, and the Christmas dinnerware she’s had for years, which, at this point, is basically a family heirloom. It’s familiar, festive, snuggly and honestly just the best day.

And then there’s the other side of my life: Christmas working on superyachts, which is… a very different experience.

Beautiful tables, immaculate glassware, dinnerware that costs more than a small car, and an unspoken understanding that you absolutely do not breathe too close to anything.

I’ve also once been asked, completely seriously, if we had a spare Gucci bag lying around because a last-minute gift was needed. This was in Palau – a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific – so no, I did not have an emergency Gucci bag on hand.

So this edit sits somewhere between those two worlds. Festive, pretty, slightly fabulous bits that make hosting over Christmas feel special without without it feeling like you’re hosting the Kardashians’ annual Christmas Eve party.

Things that look great, feel lovely to use, and make your house feel like that house at Christmas… even if someone’s having a quiet word with the gravy jug in the kitchen.

If you see something you love, just click the image or the item title – it’ll take you straight to it on Amazon.

Before we dive in – a quick note that all the links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
It doesn’t change the price for you, but it does help support my blog, which I really appreciate. 🤍

Let’s dive in…

Table Foundations

#1. Snowflake placemats

These silver cut-out placemats are similar to the ones that every superyacht seems to own – but thankfully, this Amazon dupe won’t require selling a kidney. They instantly make any table look ridiculously chic and expensive, even if you’re serving dry turkey. Click the photo for the silver version, or here for the gold version.

#2. Gold charger plates

Charger plates sit underneath your dinner plates and stay there until dessert. The gold ones work especially well for Christmas because they make the table feel more “Christmas dinner” than “Tuesday night.” They’re simple, they suit any plates, and they add that little bit of occasion without going overboard.

#3. White cotton napkins

White cotton napkins are basically the Julie Andrews of table linens – classic, elegant, and absolutely impossible not to love. They go with every colour scheme, calm down a table that’s looking a bit busy, and just quietly do their job without ever causing drama. If you want something moodier for an evening dinner, black napkins look great!

#4. Snowflake napkin rings

These are just cute and festive without shouting about it. They instantly make the table look a bit more “oh yes, it is Christmas” without needing tinsel or a full Nativity scene. They work with any napkin colour and take about three seconds to put on, which is the level of effort I fully support.

#5. Gold Christmas tree napkin rings

I love these – the little colourful gems make them feel properly festive, and I love anything sparkly, so these are an easy yes from me. They work with black or white napkins and add just the right amount of gold to the table without taking over the whole look

#6. Cheesecloth table runner

A cheesecloth runner is perfect for Christmas because it adds a bit of texture without making the table look chaotic. And whatever you do, don’t lay it flat – give it some soft folds so it doesn’t look like it’s been ironed within an inch of its life. t

You can also hide small boxes or a couple of books underneath to create height, then place décor or LED candles on top. It gives the centre of the table more shape, instead of sitting there looking sad and flat.

#7. Name cards

Name cards aren’t essential at all, but they are really cute – especially if you’ve got friends coming over who don’t all know each other, or you just want the table to look a little more “done” without any real effort – they add a small personal touch that feels really sweet.

Glassware & Tableware

#8. Villeroy & Boch Toy’s Delight Christmas dinner set

I’m not being dramatic, but this is the Christmas dinner set of dreams.

My parents have a similar set and they’ve had it for about 30 years – it comes out every December and somehow looks just as beautiful. That’s why I love this one so much.

It’s festive without being cheesy, it looks amazing on the table, and it’s the kind of thing you end up keeping for decades and eventually passing down with strict instructions not to chip anything.

#9. Villeroy & Boch La Divina wine glasses

These glasses are just so beautiful. The shape is clean and simple, but they still feel a bit special when you put them on the table. They work with literally any style – Christmas, summer dinners, whatever is going on!

#10. Crystal coupe cocktail glasses

These are insanely pretty and make every drink look 100 times nicer. They’re perfect for Christmas cocktails and they photograph so well it’s almost embarrassing. If you want something that instantly makes the table feel a bit more special without doing anything else, these are it.

#11. Villeroy & Boch Victor cutlery set (68 pieces)

This is just a really good, modern cutlery set from a great-quality brand. It looks smart without being “Hermès-level who-do-I-think-I-am,” and it’s one of those sets that feels a bit more special than the everyday stuff but still totally usable. If you want something that’s genuinely well-made and won’t date, this is such a great choice.

#12. Villeroy & Boch Toy’s Delight Christmas cutlery set (30 pieces)

I LOVE THIS SET SO MUCH!!! It’s the kind of cutlery you end up using for years, and it’s so lovely to bring out every December – one of those small traditions that makes the table feel properly Christmassy without any effort.

Lighting & Ambience

#13. Gold hurricane candle holders

Hurricane candle holders always look amazing on a Christmas table. They’re great for a table centrepiece or adding a little cluster on a sideboard. And honestly, fake battery candles look incredible inside them.

#14. Battery-operated LED candles

These are such a good shout for Christmas dinner – you get all the nice lighting without worrying about wax drips, flames, or someone setting their sleeve on fire mid-roast potato. They look surprisingly realistic and instantly make the table feel cosy.

Serving & Practical Hosting

#15. Villeroy & Boch Toy’s Fantasy oval platter

This serving plate is stunning. It’s perfect for canapés, desserts, cheeses (eh hum – pigs in blankets 🙄😍) – anything really – and it ties in beautifully with the rest of the Villeroy & Boch Christmas pieces. One of those items you keep forever.

#16. Leather trays – brown shagreen (set of 2)

These trays are genuinely so useful. You can style drinks on them, and they instantly make any little setup – bar cart, sideboard, coffee table – look more luxurious without really trying.

#17. Marble drinks coasters

Marble coasters always look clean and simple, and they stop drinks from leaving marks all over your table.

#18. Cooks Professional 5-section buffet warmer with hotplate

My mum has a very similar one of these and she’s had it for years – it comes out every Christmas without fail.

One year she made twelve different vegetables (an iconic Rex household moment known as “the Twelve Vegetables of Christmas”). It keeps everything warm, stops the kitchen turning into a Walmart Black Friday circa 2009, and just makes serving a big meal so much easier.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s honestly one of the most useful Christmas hosting gadgets you can have.

Drinks & Bar Styling

#19. Melody Maison gold & marble round bar cart

This bar cart is absolutely gorgeous. It’s giving full Pinterest-board energy. It looks stunning styled with drinks, glassware, candles, or even a little hot chocolate station at Christmas.

#20. Three-tier gold bar cart on wheels (budget option)

A much more affordable option, but still really pretty. It has the same warm gold tone and loads of space for bottles, glasses or decorations. Such an easy way to add a little “wow” moment without spending a fortune.

So that’s my Christmas edit – basically a collection of things that are just really pretty, really festive, and genuinely fun to bring out year after year. Use one, use ten, mix them however you like.

And if you do end up using any of these, please show me your table… I fully live for a Christmas setup moment.

If you’re still in a Christmas scrolling spiral, you can head over to my gift guides for present ideas and festive bits… or, if you want something far less helpful but much more entertaining, Delulu Diaries is where all the funny stories live.