I was thrilled when Southern Living Magazine tasked me with creating three different holiday tablescapes.
I thought it would be great to share what inspired each of these very different looks. They were featured in their much anticipated Double Holiday Double Issue.

All photo credit goes to: Buffy Hargett

I was asked to imagine three distinct personalities and design a table that would reflect how they might decorate for the holidays.

Three Holiday Tablescapes to Inspire

The Whimsical Traditionalist

This person loves to use their cherished china and vintage pieces, like this milk glass goblet but adds a casual touch with elements like a woven charger and raffia-covered glasses.

holiday tablescapes — Credit: Alison Gootee

The patterned tablecloth in classic Christmas colors, along with the gold Christmas trees, brings a bit of whimsy to the look.

The Romantic

This individual embraces the softer side of the holidays, making the muted and creamy tones of a winter white color scheme ideal. The addition of metallics, ranging from bronze to mercury glass, adds a festive shimmer.

Anchored by a damask block print tablecloth, the table features plates with a vintage lace pattern, sitting on the softest feather placemats and fluted crystal wineglasses. The leaf shaped bowl and the personalized Christmas crackers add the gold accents to the tablescape. The garland made up of small glass vases filled with different varieties of white blooms sitting on a bed of winter greens makes a beautiful romantic statement.

A quick change of stemware, chargers, and flatware allows for three distinct variations of this romantic theme. Florals include winter greens, green berries, and white amaryllis.

The Free-Spirited Bohemian

This personality loves breaking away from tradition and is often inspired by global travels. The look is punctuated by an embroidered red and white runner, while unique global accessories in gold add to the festive theme, creating a vibrant, worldly holiday table.

Bonus: Holiday Cocktail Recipe

Don’t leave without a little sweetness! Check out this Pomegranate Spritzer Cocktail and fall in love!

Sparkling Pomegranate Spritzer Recipe (Cocktail/Mocktail)

Pomegranate and berry juices combined with Prosecco and garnished with blueberries, pomegranate seeds, and rosemary to create a festive drink

Print Recipe

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup Mixed Berry Juice
½ cup Pomegranate juice
1 750ml bottle of Prosecco or dry Bruit Substitute prosecco with lime, lemon, or lemon/lime sparkling water to taste
¼ cup pomegranate arils for garnish
1 cup fresh blueberries
1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary for garnish for each cocktail

Instructions

In a large pitcher, mix together the juices and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Before serving, add the Prosecco/Brut and mix.
Garnish each cocktail glass with a sprig of rosemary, pomegranate arils (seeds) and blueberries. Pour cocktail mixture in glass and serve.