Here is my décor recipe for a stylish, white Christmas dinner, that has a little BigCityLife flair.
First things first. The list!
You will need:
Balloons. Remember not to let them go into the atmosphere though…
Baby’s breath. Lots of it.
Pretty bird cages.
Old books covered in moss. Fear not if you have not gone the long way around to get these. There is yogurt involved in the long way. We don’t use that! I have attached a “how to” a little later.
Fairy lights.
Candles. Large and small for your table.
BIIIIIIIG candelabra.
Hydrangeas. I used the silk ones. However it is Christmas, and they are the Christmas flower, so time permitting, look around for the real ones.
Pearls: no, not the real ones… the strings from the Chinese market.
Cake stands, including a few tied stands. This adds height and interest to your scene. Mine are all from The Cats Whiskers in Lonehill.
Food… don’t forget the food, and a little wine. Ok a lot of wine. Eggnog will go beautifully with this table layout. As will a little Chardonnay. My favorite is Hamilton Rustle, or a good robust Glen Carlou. The buttery-yellow golden syrup of these beautiful wines, will bring joy to any table. Especially if like me, perhaps your skills do not include Master Chef.
Let the festivities and fun begin. By that I mean the table setup!
This is where you get to play. Once you have all your elements set aside, its time to colour in your work of art. Mix the flowers in the bird cages with the fairy lights. Create towering tiered happiness with ginger biscuits, and a little icing sugar for effect. Always put the candelabra on your tables first, especially if they are your focal points. Build up around these elements, and work in staggered heights.
I love adding a playful edge with lots of little hidden elements, to be discovered and explored. Especially fun for the kids if they are part of the dinner entertainment.
Most of all, make it magical. These are memories that you will have for eternity so a little effort is definately worth it. Don’t forget the Christmas carols, these should be playing softly in the background to set the mood. Feel like being fancy? Well then I suggest something French, Edith Piaff perhaps… still has a ‘Christmassy’ feel to it, without being too overwhelming.
Your gorgeous table should be done just in time to hear your oven timer chime, which I have no doubt will have the perfectly prepared roast turkey dinner for your friends and family. If not… do not fear, a few grilled pieces of Kingklip is a healthy and easy to make option. If time has taught me one thing it’s too have a backup plan for my awesome cooking skills!
Don’t forget to add your own creative tastes and choices. This includes beads, accessories, feathers, flowers, treats, gift boxes, bubble boxes, a little fake snow and of course glitter! It is Christmas after all!
Your Christmas playlist, that is festive but not carol overkill:
Tony Bennett, Duets An American Classic
Celine Dion, The French Album
Edith Piaf, Platinum
Michael Buble, The Christmas Album (we need one in there still!)
Music from, A Good Year
Music from, Midnight In Paris
So Frenchy, So Chic
Yann Tierson, Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amalie Poulain
How to make those moss books.
If you’re like me, and life runs at 120 beats every 60 seconds, you don’t always remember to do the whole “lets grow moss on the old books” technique. So I do this. Go to your local second hand book shop, and find a few old looking books. On your way home, pop into your local flower store, and purchase some of their moss sheets. You will need a little spray glue or Ponel which you can get from Herbert Evans or your local CNA.
This will take all of 10minutes for each book. Simply glue the moss onto the covers of the books, make sure you cover the whole area and that no glue can be seen.
That’s it – that is how you get your moss books. Love them for any table to create height and interest in your settings!
Where to find…
Console: Jars, Carafes, Bottles
Westlake Auction House: Candleabra & Bird Cages
Flora Town in Kyalami: Roses, Moss Baskets
Lunar: Coke Crates
Kaidies Bakery Supplies: Christmas Characters
Vintage Books: Try your local Hospice, or SPCA. Any second hand bookshop
Cats Whiskers: Cake stands
Fairy Lights: Builders warehouse, Typo, The Chinese Market
We designed this table for Café Hemingway’s Christmas Parties.
Photos by Kim from Big Shots Photography
Styled by Ingrid Alice
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