SIMPLE (FESTIVE-ISH) TABLE SETTING

SET THE TABLE, BUT KEEP IT SIMPLE

I guess the clue is in the title, I like simple. The food and the people are the focus, the table is the landscape. So festive table laying is usually a mix of natural tones and textures with the addition of greenery, lots of candles and a cracker or two (I'm not the grinch!). We have everything you could need from wooden plates, to simple ceramics, centre-piece serving bowls and jugs of all sizes for; water, wine, gravy, custard or seasonal sprays of flowers. Plus wonderful beeswax dinner candles.

All of which make thoughtful gifts too. Once you've filled the seats with guest, the plates with food and the glasses with wine you'll have all the festive drama you need.

A side note about greenery: I split the 'babies' from a prolific Money Plant, repotted them (yes, this is within the grasp of the least green fingered person) and now they're housed in our cork planters. They look great in the centre of the table. Seed heads, grasses and the very last of the hydrangea flowers will also make an appearance on our table this year too.