Best of Etsy: Christmas dining room decor

Trees, doorways and fireplaces are all important focal points when it comes to Christmas decor. But you don’t want to forget about the place where all the merriment happens — around the dining room table! Get your dining space all dressed up for the holidays with the help of these lovely decor pieces from the talented artisans at Etsy.

Chrystal and Tina of We Love Wreaths love working with their customers and creating well-crafted wreaths and centrepieces. And it is that kind of care, dedication and ingenuity that helped them create these elegant white and gold poinsettia centrepieces, which are sure to stand out beautifully on your dining room table.

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Chrystal: When it comes to holiday dinners, I look forward to good food, great family and friends and a festive atmosphere.

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

C: My favourite holiday decorations are lights and wreaths. A wreath because it can be placed anywhere without much fuss, and lights because they are just pretty to look at.

Anastasia Pena of Anastasia’s Artifacts doesn’t get caught up in duplicating the temporary “hot trends” that can be found all over stores and the web. Instead she enjoys creating things she knows would look good around her own house. And boy, does that individuality show through in her wonderfully unique store! If you’re planning to hold a big dinner, then getting everyone seated in the right places is crucial to ensuring an easy-breezy evening. Let your guests know where to sit down with the help of Anastasia’s clever candy cane place card holders.

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Anastasia Pena: You mean besides consuming the food? I most look forward to my family’s Polish and Slovak Christmas Eve traditions. We eat shrimp on Christmas Eve, as has been done for generations. I hate seafood, but I take comfort in knowing I’m keeping the tradition alive. We also share oplatki, or Christmas wafers. Each person is given a sheet of wafer, which we break into pieces, enough for everyone at the table. We give one of our pieces to each person, receive theirs and then dip them in honey before consuming. This tradition is meant to remind us of the importance of Christmas, God and family.

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

AP: In general, my decorating style is simplistic yet elegant, but funny you should ask… A few years ago, I gave our three-foot-tall, fake Christmas tree to some newlywed friends, and I haven’t found a full-sized replacement since! So, no tree to decorate, but boy, do I have an ornament collection for the one I end up buying. Whenever I travel, I purchase a small knick-knack from the highlight activities or places to later convert into ornaments. Other than that, I have a favourite Christmas wreath for my front door and some neat candle holders I created that look great on our kitchen peninsula.

Maite at Tamsy Trends loves to create fun and colourful creations such as these elegant beaded napkin rings. And she’s also open to alterations, so if you’d like a different length or colour, don’t be afraid to ask. Maite prides herself on great customer service and will do what she can to work with you to create the design you’re looking for.

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Maite: Christmas is one of the few times in our busy lives when our entire family can truly relax and gather for dinner. Also, as my kids get older, they are now at an age where they can actually help prepare the meals. It might be messy and a bit chaotic, but it’s fun having the entire family busy preparing holiday dinner in our kitchen.

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

M: Holiday decorating in our home is a family affair. My children and I love crafting, so a lot of our decorations are handmade. We don’t really follow a certain theme or colour scheme, but with each family member contributing their own special touch, I just love how cozy and festive our house feels during the holidays.

Whether as the serving dish for your masterful Christmas dessert or as a piece of eye-catching decor on your dining room buffet table, it isn’t hard to find a use for this whimsical and colourful hand-painted platter made by Sharron Murrell at The Spiked Olive Artware Co. Sharron doesn’t use any stencils or guides in her creations, so each one is completely unique thanks to the freedom of hand-painting.

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Sharron Murrell: In our small family, I would say the gathering of friends and extended family. Since I was a kid, we always had guests for dinner — people we considered family helping prepare, entertaining in the kitchen. My mom often invited students from the university where she worked, some from overseas to experience our Canadian Christmas, which was often their first. Still after many years, my favourite food is my mom’s English trifle. Always in the same glass bowl and always with a good soaking of sherry!

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

SM: Simple yet striking. I love the whites, silvers and blues of the season. I have a special box of old keepsake ornaments I have been given or had from childhood that I display in a bowl or tin on the table. They are a great conversation piece. I framed several Swarovski crystal ornaments in shadow boxes to hang for the season, and these by far are my favourite decor — all given to me by my family, so they have very special meaning.

All the pieces from Sima Prints are 100 per cent handmade by the owner, Sima. She uses natural materials, such as linen brought in from her native country, Lithuania, and does all her designs by hand. For many she even incorporates Lithuanian folk art patterns into her work. Bring a warm, cozy and united feel to your dining room table with these matching placemats and napkins.

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Sima: Christmas for me is about 1) the time spent with all the people I love, 2) that exciting and miraculous “feeling” of Christmas that comes from childhood, 3) cooking. I love cooking and baking, and Christmas is the best time for that!

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

S: For me, Christmas decorating is all about red. It could be red and white, red and silver, red and gold… but always red. I like to decorate my home with natural, handmade pieces, like garlands made by the kids and me. My only dilemma comes with the Christmas tree, because I love the feeling of a real tree, but afterward I always feel [bad] having to dispose of it. So this year I’ve come up with a solution! I am going to buy a small, real Christmas tree in a pot that I can replant in my garden later, as well as a larger, artificial one.

In addition to being absolutely adorable, these snowmen salt and pepper shakers created by Peggy Reichenbach at Peggers Polymer Clay Creations are 100 per cent one of a kind, because Peggy hand-sculpts each one out of polymer clay. Plus Peggy loves creative challenges and is happy to take on special requests, so if you have something particular in mind, don’t be afraid to ask!

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Peggy Reichenbach: We started a new tradition for our Christmas dinner a few years ago. We all have so many relatives to visit during Christmas and so many big meals. On Christmas Day we have hot and cold appetizers throughout the day. Everyone stops by when they can and eats whenever — or all day! I love it this way, as it gives me more time to enjoy the family and less time in the kitchen.

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

PR: I love to decorate for the holidays! I used to work for an arts and crafts store and had to deal with glitter through every season. Christmas was the worst. Had to shake out my clothing before I could even get in my car. I decorate without using any glitter! Natural and warm is what I love.

Whether on your table or scattered around your dining space, these gorgeous glass candle holders made by Michael at Daydreem Designs will add a glamorous, rustic quality to your dinner experience. Michael personally engraves each one without stencils or repeat patterns, so each holder is completely one of a kind. Just keep in mind USPS priority shipping to Canada takes about 10 business days. So if you’re interested in having these beautiful creations around for your whole holiday season, get your order in as soon as possible!

SheKnows Canada: What do you most look forward to when it comes to Christmas/holiday dinner?

Michael: We look forward to gathering around the table with family and friends, enjoying the new and classic delectables created by everyone. Good times and campfires in the snow, enjoying hot apple cider.

SK: How do you like to decorate for the holidays?

M: We look forward to picking the perfect tree and decorating with candles and natural creations. Of course, engraved glass and woodcarvings.

More on holiday decor

Blogger traditions: Christmas decor ideas
Modern Christmas decor wrap-up
Best of Etsy: Snowman decor