An Easy Way to Turn Anything Into a Place Card

Plan out your tablescape ahead of time

Whether you shop for decorations a few weeks beforehand or even brainstorm ideas with a quick sketch, it’s wise to have a clear idea about the contents and layout of your table before the big day. If you’re not sure where to start, it often helps to decide on a color scheme or an overall theme and build from there. For instance, you might opt for a traditional look with red, green, and gold accents that remind you of Christmases gone by. Or, you may want to try out a more minimalist look this year and experiment with rising trends like eco-friendly decorations.

It's easy to get a little carried away when you’re being creative, but try to make sure that your table is still practical and comfortable for your guests, as well as looking beautiful. In between the decorations, centerpieces, and place settings, be sure to leave enough space for plates, glasses, serving dishes, and any other essential items you’ll need to use. This way, no one will feel cramped or short of space enjoying their meal! To save time, you may also want to lay your dining table the night before — this means you can focus on opening presents and preparing dinner on the day, knowing that you’ve got a beautiful tablescape ready and waiting.

Choose the right homeware

Even though they serve a practical function, your plates, bowls, and serving dishes play a large part in the overall aesthetic of your table too. You may have a dedicated set of ceramics that you use for Christmas, but if you don’t, it can be just as effective to use some of your favorite neutral staples. Especially if you’re using décor like a patterned tablecloth or bright centerpiece, you can balance this out by using classic pieces in understated colors. This is why investing in durable ceramics that last is always worthwhile: you can make use of them all year round.

Other essential pieces like cast-iron cookware, serving platters, and mugs are all perfect for the festive season, as they allow you to serve everything from appetizers and main meals to comforting hot drinks easily. As well as ceramics, don’t forget to add some of your best glassware to serve up the wine, Champagne, or festive cocktails you’ll toast with during dinner.

Using versatile or more neutral pieces like these also allows you to be more flexible. For example, if you need to add an extra seat at the table, using more understated homeware means you won’t have to use plates in drastically different colors or patterns. This will help you maintain a coherent theme for the table, even if your plans change to accommodate friends, family, or neighbors. After all, the more the merrier!

Forage for a natural centerpiece

With the popularity of eco-friendly Christmas decorations on the rise, why not make your own centerpiece with natural foliage? Not only is this a more sustainable way to decorate, but foraging in your local woodland area is a fun, festive activity you can do with the whole family. So, wrap up warm and look out for classic Christmas plants like holly, mistletoe, berries, and evergreen branches like fir or pine. Just be sure to only take what you need and never trespass onto private land when foraging.

When making your own centerpiece, you might take a more relaxed approach and simply lay out your plants across the middle of your table, interspersing this with candle holders, baubles, and any other accessories you have on hand. However, if you’re a little short on space you might make a smaller, more contained piece like a wreath or display them in a ceramic milk jug for a rustic, farmhouse look.

Add some personal touches

You may want to keep your theme more traditional and opt for a classic Christmas look, but if you want to add a little something different, then it’s always fun to include some personal touches — whether they’re for you or your guests. One way of doing this is with your place settings, as you can often make these yourself and have full creative freedom. You might leave a small gift box with a little personalized gift inside, adding a handwritten name tag for each guest. Or, keep it classic with simple name cards and add a few sprigs of the holly or mistletoe you foraged earlier.

Once your place settings are laid, you can also add a personal touch with the glassware you pick out for each guest. For example, if one of your family members loves to toast with a glass of Champagne, make sure to provide them with a nice crystal flute. Whether they like a glass of wine, whiskey, or a hot toddy, giving your guests the right glassware for their favorite drink is a little gesture that shows how much thought you’ve put in to make the perfect Christmas table for you and your loved ones.

Set up a leftovers station before the big meal and make sure no one goes home with an empty hand (or belly). Bonus points if you use some super cute take-home boxes! (via Brit + Co)

Never underestimate the power of a tiny pumpkin! Dress up your table with tiny pumpkins and a sweet personal touch. (via Brit + Co)

Remembering that we have a lot to be thankful for never goes out of style, no matter what season it is. This DIY is so good that you'll want to keep it up all year long! (via Brit + Co)

Don't have time to customize everything on your table? Use this pre-made packet and fill in the blanks as you go for the perfect balance between personal and easy! (via The House That Lars Built)

Believe it or not, with wood scraps and paint you can put together a tablescape fairly quickly. We love that this DIY means you'll have a Thanksgiving look that is totally unique to you and yours. (via A Bubbly Life)

A make-it-yourself table runner that adds color to the table *and* allows people to write down what they're thankful for? Yes, please. (via Paper & Stitch)

When you're in a time crunch, who has time to do all that fancy calligraphy? Print, fold, and forget about it. These are cute, colorful, and can be reused for every holiday! (via Lovely Indeed)

We're sure that we all have some napkins that are so last year, but there's no need to buy (or sew) new ones when you can spruce up your usuals! Just add few small details will have them looking totally trendy. (via A Beautiful Mess)

If you have a tree in your yard and a gold marker in your office, then you can consider this DIY done! Super easy and it'll add some nice detail to your table. (via Demetres)

Faux Handmade Pie

Now that store-bought pie you were going to eat on your own can look like it came from the fancy bakery. What's better than that? (via PMQ for two)

Are your guests arriving in just a few hours and you totally forgot to put together a centerpiece? Carve up gourd-geous vases with plenty of time to spare. (via Tell Love and Party)

Adding a little color to your decor will transform your space, so pull out your paint stash and take plain pinecones up a notch. Your wreath is sure to turn heads. (via WhimZeeCal)

Putting those leftover donut holes to good use is a great way to save time and be creative. Plus there's a good chance that if someone doesn't like pie, adding donuts will peak their interest.(via Aww Sam)

Jeremy's on-screen romance turned IRL.

Photos of Jeremy and co-star Molly Gordon (who plays his love interest, Claire, in The Bear) obtained by People show things heating up between the two. The duo had their arms wrapped around each other as they embraced for a kiss. This is the first time we've seen them both linked romantically, and we're honestly shocked and left wondering what happened with Rosalía, who he was going steady with in fall 2023.

October 25, 2024: Jeremy Allen White & Molly Gordon Spark More Rumors

A month after Jeremy Allen White and Molly Gordon were seen locking lips in Los Angeles, Peoplesnagged more photos of the two as they enjoyed a nice walk in NYC. They look cozy in their casual fall outfits — complete with matching burgundy hats — and were all smiles. They've yet to confirm anything though, but they have all the makings of a budding romance that could be serious!

October 31, 2024: Jeremy Allen White & Molly Gordon Are Taking It Slow

And on Halloween, we learned just how much Jeremy and Molly are enjoying taking it slow with their relationship. "Jeremy and Molly have been seeing each other quietly for a few months and are happy together," a source told ET. “They are enjoying their relationship, but also trying to keep it private. They don’t like attention surrounding their personal lives and it has been an adjustment for Molly."⁠

Scroll on for a deeper look into all of Jeremy's recent romantic escapades!

Jeremy Allen White's Steamy Dating History

First, there were the Jeremy Allen White and Selena Gomez dating rumors.

An anonymous submission to DeuxMoi at the beginning of July 2023 set off speculation that the two A-listers were “in touch.” The tip noted that Selena and Jeremy had allegedly met at a Vanity Fair cover shoot and hit it off ever since.

The gossip was neither proved wrong *or* right, though in hindsight, it didn’t hold up too strongly. Not long after rumors began circulating, the Haim sisters posted on Instagram about "single summer," picturing Selena alongside a Taylor Swift-backed girl gang.

Then, a big PDA fest with Ashley Moore.

Things were steaming up on the streets of Los Angeles when Jeremy Allen White was spotted engaging in some serious PDA with model and actress, Ashley Moore in August 2023. How they met is a total mystery, but seeing them together via paparazzi pictures was jaw-dropping – especially considering Mr. White was seen with his estranged wife and kids the week prior. Yikes!

Next, Jeremy publicly thirsting over Alexa Demie.

He’s at it again! In August 2023, Jeremy Allen White scrolled past a video highlighting Alexa Demie’s new campaign with Calvin Klein and did what any fan would do – he left a comment (though minimal): “Wow.”

To publicly show his affection (or rather, attraction) via Instagram is a whole thing in itself. King.

In fall 2023, Jeremy Allen White and Rosalía were going steady.

“Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White have recently started dating,” a source told Us Weekly in November 2023. “They started out as just friends, but things have turned romantic recently.”

Alexa, play "That Should Be Me" by Justin Bieber!

The duo had been sighted side-by-side a few times. TMZ shared photos of them together at a late-October 2023 farmer's market and even sharing a smoke break in a parking lot. Romantic!

That budding romance came after what we call White’s hot boy summer – he was out and about on the streets of Los Angeles amidst his separation from actress Addison Timlin. Throughout their divorce, White was rumored to be involved with Selena Gomez, thirsting over Alexa Demi on Instagram, and was publicly spotted smooching Ashley Moore.

Despite all of this, Jeremy was spotted being friendly with his divorced ex.

In what TMZ was calling "the friendliest divorce ever," Jeremy Allen White and his now-ex Addison Timlin had been seen doing family activities together amid his romantic antics. The pair shares two young daughters, which is likely why they're still seeing each other from time to time. Where Jeremy's head is, we can't say for sure, but we do know he's out there acting young, wild, and free.