These fine details can be anything from flowers, table settings, accessories, décor, food and, of course, cocktails. All of these have to work together cohesively to put on a truly memorable event, so try using a continuous theme to bring it all together. But, fear not, you don’t have to attempt a ‘Hawaiian Holiday Extravaganza’ or ‘Very Bollywood Christmas’ (unless you want to) — a much easier party-binder is to use colour combination.

To help you achieve the holiday wow-factor, try items from the President’s Choice (PC) Home Collection available at Superstore. The items are reasonably priced, so you don’t have to feel guilty about purchasing pieces that will only come out of hiding one month a year.

PC Home also has a great selection of dinner and flatware which, if kept neutral, can last you throughout the year. If you want dishes you can use all year, buy pieces that have solid colours with little embellishment; this way you can re-use these for every season and not be looking at snowflakes in July. The introduction of colour and theme in your seasonal soiree can also be done with placemats, tablecloths, and décor accessories.

I have come up with three wallet-friendly tablescapes that fit in with this holiday season’s hottest colour combinations. All the tableware is the same to show how you can get totally different looks by just changing up your theme and “details.”

Modern Metallic 
Silver, black and white

Be bold and dramatic. This look is a fabulous way to work with the contrast and elegance of a black and white theme. It is a simple look to achieve but requires a little out-of-the-box thinking. I have taken wrapping paper and used it as a table runner, an inexpensive way to add some drama and texture to your table and after dinner you can recycle it. Chargers are another great way to add some drama to your holiday table, and with this look we have done some simple silver chargers to accent the white dishes. Bold hits of black with the placemats and ornaments on the centerpiece ground the look. The centerpiece was created using store-bought flowers and twigs from my yard.

Refined Rustic
Green and brown

To achieve this elegant, rustic table, we used walnut trays instead of placemats to add interest. The wood detail adds warmth to the table and could also be a gift for your guests to take home. The rest of the look is kept simple with an organic centrepiece of Christmas greens punched up with the bright citrus coloured flowers. I have taken inexpensive store-bought flowers and placed them in a woven reed bread basket. For a unique look, try placing it vertically on the table. I also used rocks in the centre to add to the rustic and organic feel of the theme. This look is perfect if you are throwing a dinner party that has more of an organic themed feast. Just fab!

Timeless Traditonal
Gold and red

For those that simply can’t live without the red during the holidays, this is perfect for you. I have used a gorgeous damask wrapping paper as the base for the look and laid it as the runner for the table. The centrepiece adds drama and modern elegance to the table, using non-traditional flowers and traditional greens and branches. I decided not to use any placemats and let the bold red chargers be the focal with the gold in the wallpaper and white of the dishes. Throwing a few ornaments on the table will fill in space and again, can be a take-home for your guests to remember what a fabulous party you threw that year.

The Christmas season can be stressful and expensive, but it doesn’t take much time or money to set the perfect table for the holidays. In fact, part of the fun of the holidays is the creative license to go all out and be avant-garde with your tablescapes. Whether your look is modern, traditional, rustic, or a mix of everything, you don’t have to look very far to find pieces that will set your table apart. So go out there and be thrifty and festive. Think bold, elegant, and dramatic — and don’t forget something to fill the wine glasses.

Happy holidays and happy decorating!