DIY Christmas Tablescape on a Budget

Create an elegant holiday dinner with a Christmas tablescape that won't drain your bank account.

During the month of December, chances are that you will be hosting a holiday party. There have been years I've hosted more than one! But sometimes with all the money spent on gifts there isn't much leftover to spend on decorating or fancy dinnerware.

So how can you create a beautiful Christmas table without appearing like a stingy Grinch? Take a look at these tips and tricks on how to create an elegant Christmas tablescape with a limited budget!

Creating a Thrifty Christmas Tablescape

Fancy dinners on Christmas are a tradition that I grew up with and looked forward to every December. Creating an elegant dinner can be challenging if you are limited on your budget. Follow along with these tips to see how a festive holiday dinner is possible!

Take Advantage of Your Resources

In other words, borrow something from a family member or a willing friend. When creating this table, we had the main dishes to serve with but not the matching gold silverware. I borrowed my mom's gold silverware to complete the look.

Repurpose What You Already Own

Create a beautiful table without spending a fortune by making use of things you already have. These ornaments in the background have been used with our Christmas decor for years. The gold twigs and pinecones were leftover from previous decorations of last year.

Other items you may have that are great for a Christmas tablescape:

faux greenery branches or berries
candle centerpiece
lanterns
garlands - felt, real or artificial
Christmas houses
small Christmas trees
small figurines or miniatures

Hit Up Your Local Dollar Store

When Amazon isn't available or bulk purchasing isn't needed, it's smart to hit up your local dollar stores. Some may not be aware but they do carry party supplies and dishes.

It's a good option to pick up a few disposable serving dishes or fancy platters. You can also find fancy dishes like these wine glasses.

Use Fresh Elements in Your Christmas Tablescape

When adding an elegant touch to decorating, bringing in fresh elements will increase the quality of your display. For this tablescape we used real red cedar branches from Costco for $15, fresh flowers for $15 and fresh cranberries for $5.

Dress Up Your Thrifty Items

Disposable napkins may not appear fancy, but they can be dressed up and accessorized to give an elegant impression. Fold your napkins nicely! Then embellish with a tied bundle of greenery, berries or twigs and ribbon. Any time you can add in something that sparkles will increase your wow factor.

Small candies or appetizers can add appeal by placing in fancy dishes or goblets like these. A beautiful display makes all the difference, regardless of what the item is!