DIY and Crafts

How to create your own Christmas table toppers

From Christmas crackers to personalised place settings, work your DIY magic this year and try our affordable and fun table toppers

rustic

How to create your own Christmas table toppers

We love a traditional Christmas Day table setting with all the finest silverware but it’s also a great time of year to get creative and draw on your own style. We’ve designed three unique options to get your creative juices flowing. A beautiful table setting doesn’t have to cost the earth, either.

We’ve included quick, fun and affordable projects you can make with the kids. Whether you want to try the rustic look or experiment with stylish black and gold, our selections are affordable and easy to source from chain stores. And each project can be made in under 30 minutes.

Relaxed rustic

Bring that nature-loving spirit to the table with simple, wooden details.

Linen napkin

You will need:
– 50cm length of linen (we used taupe linen from Spotlight, $8.50 a metre)
– Scissors
– Thread
– Sewing machineSteps
– Cut a square of fabric, 45cm x 45cm.
– If you don’t want frayed edges, turn over a 2cm edge and sew all the way around.
– Fold napkin and add a sprig of foliage for effect.

Steps:
1. Cut a square of fabric, 45cm x 45cm.
2. If you don’t want frayed edges, turn over a 2cm edge and sew all the way around.
3. Fold napkin and add a sprig of foliage for effect.

Christmas cracker

You will need:
– Wrapping paper (ours is reindeer kraft paper from The Warehouse, $5 a roll)
– Cardboard tube about 10cm long (a toilet roll inner or similar)
– Double-sided tape
– String or twine

Steps:
1. Take a small piece of wrapping paper and roll around the tube, ensuring it is longer than the tube.
2. Secure paper with double-sided tape.
3. Tie one end with string.
4. Fill your cracker with a handwritten joke, chocolates or a small gift.
5. Secure other end of cracker with string.

Get the look

Bouclair faux wood place mat, $41.99, from Spotlight; reindeer head decoration, $2.50, 16-piece wooden cutlery set, $15, both from Kmart; Arch timber vase, $39.90, and Mali oak platter (under bowl), $44.90, both from Country Road; reindeer, $9, from Spotlight; Evolve wine glass, $7.95, from Freedom; Harrison and Lane plate, $6, Mood bowl, $5, both from The Warehouse; boxes, $3 for three, from Look Sharp.

 

gold

Black, gold and grey

A modern metallic setting will make a strong, festive statement.

Bauble name setting

Looking for a personalised name setting? Try using letter stickers to spell out your guests’ names. After dinner, they can take their personalised bauble home for their tree.

Wrapping paper table runner

Plain or patterned wrapping paper works extremely well as a cheap alternative to a fancy fabric or felt table runner. There’s less cleaning up afterwards, too. Our runner is 40cm wide, and has a 2cm folded edge.

Get the look

This and That Alpha Caps stickers, $2.99, from Warehouse Stationery; wrap (used for table runner), $4 for three rolls, star tray, $5, brass tray (under plate), $8, white plate, $2, marble tealight holder, $9, grey linen-look napkins, $6 for four, 16-piece cutlery set, $25, all from Kmart; Harper medium tree, $21.90, Harper cone candle, $29.95, both from Country Road; Harrison Lane matte black wine glass, $35 for four, from The Warehouse. Bauble, stylist’s own.

 

blue

Geometric mint and silver

Try this stylish take on a star-filled Christmas dinner.

Cutlery holder

You will need:
– A small piece of wrapping paper about 20cm x 42cm (ours is from Kmart, $7 a bundle)
– Scissors
– Double-sided tape

Steps:
1. Take your piece of wrapping paper and turn over 5cm at the top and bottom for a nice finish.
2. Fold paper in half so the opening is at the top.
3. To make your pouch, fold into three, width-ways.
4. Secure the join with double-sided tape.
5. Pop in your cutlery and place on plate or next to plate.
6. For an extra touch, peg a small card with the guest’s name onto the front of the pouch.

Decorative napkin ring

If napkin rings are a little out of your budget, consider using a Christmas tree decoration instead. Simply thread your napkin through the decoration’s loop hanger.

Get the look

Bouclair felt holiday place mat, $9.99, from Spotlight; four-piece Essentials cutlery set, $5.99, from Countdown; silver and mint candle, $11.95, from Cotton On; glass diamond decoration, $4.95, from Bed Bath N’ Table; Series dinner plate, $14.99, Ombre glass, $34.95 for four, Prestige Champagne glass, $8.95, all from Freedom; broadcloth in Seafoam (used as tablecloth), $8 per metre, from Spotlight. Other items, stylist’s own.

Words by: Vanessa Nouwens. Photography by: Melanie Jenkins.

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