Looking for a vintage christmas tablescape with a little personality? Think colorful ornaments, Christmas tree plates and tiny Santa mugs.
These ideas range from fully dressed dinner tables to smaller displays you can borrow for your centerpiece or a nearby sideboard.
You can keep things simple or go all out with bows and sparkle. Start with your favorite dishes, then choose a few decorations to go with them. There are also a couple of nonseasonal table details here that you could adapt for Christmas.
Christmas table ideas with vintage-inspired charm
tinsel tree and colorful ornaments
We’re starting off strong with this pretty tinsel tree and ornament-filled tray. I love the pink and turquoise mixed in with all those gold-colored baubles.
Try gathering ornaments of different sizes around the base of a small tree. An ornate tray like this keeps the whole display together.
candlesticks with Christmas bows
How cute are these mismatched candlesticks? The red, green and white candles look so good together, especially with a few twisted shapes mixed in.
Tie bows around the holders to borrow this look. Keep decorated candles unlit, or choose flameless versions so the ribbons stay clear of a flame.
winter scenes and red plaid
This table may just be one of my favorites here. I love the little snowy scenes on the plates and the blue checked napkins against that red plaid.
The tall silver-tone candelabra makes it a little dressier. Pinecones and greenery down the middle finish the Christmas look.
Christmas tree plates and jar scenes
If you love Christmas tree dishes, this one is for you. The white plates sit over plaid napkins and round brown chargers, with a bright red tablecloth underneath.
Those tiny trees inside the clear jars are adorable. Try a similar miniature display along a white runner, then add little lights for extra sparkle.
Santa mugs and little trees
I am obsessed with these Santa faces. The large Santa container holds a snowy-looking tree while the smaller one beside it has a little bottlebrush tree.
A low riser over red-and-white checks is all this display needs. Save this idea if you’d rather decorate one small spot than cover the entire table.
blue dishes and ruby red goblets
Who says you have to put away your blue-and-white dishes for Christmas? They look gorgeous beside the red goblets and matching round placemats.
The tall decorated dome is my favorite part. Little figures sit beneath it, with a tree pattern across the clear dome and a miniature snowy house in front.
Santa plates and candy stripes
If you are looking for a table with lots of playful details, then this one is for you. There are Santa plates, striped napkins and even candy-shaped trees!
I love the tall ornament tree in pink, red and pale blue. For a smaller version, pair Santa plates with striped napkins and choose just one colorful tree for the middle.
pink dishes on the dresser
Don’t forget the dishes behind your dining table! This is a dresser display rather than a place setting, but the pink-and-white patterns are too pretty to overlook.
Green branches trail between the bowls and platters. Try carrying that same pink-and-green pairing onto your table if you want something other than classic red.
overlapping doilies and tiny vases
This table isn’t decorated for Christmas, but those overlapping white and cream doilies are a lovely detail to borrow. The small bottles of pink flowers keep the rest simple.
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For a holiday version, you could swap the flowers for evergreen sprigs and add a few small ornaments between the bottles.
oversized bells and orange slices
I love these big gold-colored bells tucked among the greenery. The orange slices and slim red candles make such a pretty combination.
Keep your place settings simple if you want to follow this table. White plates and clear drinking glasses leave plenty of room for those center decorations.
a Christmas tree made of books
A little tree made from books? How cute is this!
The stack narrows toward the top, with red, brown and green spines giving it that old-fashioned Christmas look.
The bird perched on top is such a sweet finishing touch. I’d use this idea on a sideboard, where the taller stack won’t sit between dinner guests.
burgundy settings and twinkling lights
This is a lovely choice if you like a little sparkle with your Christmas dinner. Tiny lights run down the middle among patterned clear vessels, ornaments and tall burgundy candles.
The dark red napkins and matching goblets are so pretty together. A little place card on each plate makes the settings feel more personal.
a sideboard full of Santas
Calling all Santa fans, this display has plenty to love. There are tall Santa figures, little mugs and a red-lidded jar filled with more Santa faces.
The frosted-looking trees stand behind the smaller pieces. Try a similar arrangement on your sideboard if you want to show off a collection without crowding the dinner table.
hanging ornaments and burgundy bows
I am obsessed with the gold-colored ornaments hanging above this table. The different shapes look so pretty over the little green tree and its burgundy bow.
Christmas tree plates, checked napkins and bow-topped favors continue the look below. You could borrow just the favors if you want a smaller decorating project.
paper chains above red checks
How fun is this dining nook? Red and pale pink paper chains stretch across the ceiling with tinsel garlands and hanging stars.
The red checked tablecloth brings that color down to the table. I especially love the little bows tied around the chair backs.
big burgundy bows and gold edges
If you want a dressier Christmas table, take a look at this one. Oversized burgundy bows sit on white plates with fine gold-colored edges.
Red pillar candles and slim tapers run through the greenery down the middle. The little red frames at each setting are another detail worth saving.
snowy trees in cream pots
Don’t want to decorate with lots of red? No problem!
These snowy-looking trees in cream pots look lovely with white candles and orange slices.
I love the blue stripes around the larger pot. To borrow the candlelit look beside the branches, I’d choose flameless tapers.
white floral table layers
This close-up isn’t distinctly Christmas-themed, but it gives you a pretty starting point for a quieter holiday table. The white floral overlay falls over a longer plain white tablecloth.
A gold-edged plate and a small green sprig keep the setting simple. Add miniature trees or ornaments if you want to make your version more festive.
pink candles and striped bows
How adorable is this pink-and-green pairing? The striped candle above the big red-and-white bow is my favorite detail, especially with those little green ornaments hanging beneath it.
Clear, pink and green holders make the display feel collected rather than matched. Use flameless candles if you’re adding bows and leafy sprigs like these.
a tiny winter scene under a dome
Last but definitely not least, we have this sweet little winter display. I love the girl and deer surrounded by miniature trees under the clear dome.
Pinecones, a tiny house and greenery fill the rest of the ornate tray. Keep your own little scene together on a tray if you want a centerpiece you can move aside for dinner.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Dana