Christmas Decorations for a Buffet Table: How to Make a Serving Table Feel Festive

A buffet table is the table where the food goes, and it’s also the table that most people forget to decorate. All the attention goes to the dining table, and the buffet table is left as a bare surface with serving dishes. The problem is that a bare buffet table looks unfinished, and an over-decorated buffet table has no room for the food. The right approach is to decorate the buffet table with a few simple, festive touches that don’t get in the way of the food. This guide covers how to decorate a buffet table for Christmas, what to buy, and what to skip.

Christmas decorations for a buffet table covers the decor used on a serving table during the holiday season, including table runners, centerpieces, greenery, and accents. The best buffet table decor is festive, functional, and doesn’t get in the way of the food. The worst is too tall, too cluttered, or takes up too much space.

The right Christmas decorations for a buffet table make the table feel festive and functional. Here’s how to do it, what to buy, and what to skip.

How to Decorate a Buffet Table for Christmas

The Table Runner

A table runner is the foundation of the buffet table decor. It’s the first layer and the base for everything else.

What to use:

• A table runner in a warm material (linen, burlap, or velvet)
• A runner in a festive color (red, green, cream, or gold)
• A runner that’s the right length (it should hang over the edges by 6 to 12 inches)
• A runner that’s washable (food will get on it)

What to skip:

• A tablecloth (it’s too much for a buffet table)
• A runner that’s too long (it gets in the way)
• A runner that’s not washable

Price range: $10 to $30.

The Centerpiece

A centerpiece is the focal point of the buffet table. It’s the decoration that makes the table feel special.

What to use:

• A low, wide arrangement (so it doesn’t block the food)
• A candle display (3 to 5 candles in varying heights)
• A natural element display (mini pumpkins, pinecones, greenery)
• A floral arrangement (low and wide)
• A DIY arrangement (a vase with ornaments and fairy lights)

What to skip:

• A centerpiece that’s too tall (it blocks the food)
• A centerpiece that’s too large (it takes up too much space)
• A centerpiece with a strong scent (it interferes with the food)

Price range: $10 to $50.

The Greenery

Greenery is the natural element that makes the buffet table feel festive. It’s the branches, the pinecones, and the berries that bring the outside in.

What to use:

• A few sprigs of fresh greenery (cedar, pine, or rosemary) along the runner
• A few pinecones scattered along the runner
• A few berries or dried oranges for color
• A small wreath on the wall behind the buffet table

What to skip:

• Too much greenery (it takes up space)
• Greenery that sheds too much (it makes a mess)
• Greenery that’s too tall (it blocks the food)

Price range: $5 to $20.

The Accents

Accents are the small, festive touches that make the buffet table feel polished. They’re the items that fill in the gaps.

What to use:

• A set of candle holders (in a cohesive style)
• A set of ornaments in a bowl (in your color scheme)
• A set of mini trees or mini villages (if there’s space)
• A set of holiday figurines (if there’s space)
• A string of fairy lights (along the runner or behind the table)

What to skip:

• Too many accents (it looks cluttered)
• Accents that take up too much space
• Accents that are too tall

Price range: $10 to $30.

The Serving Pieces

Serving pieces are the functional items that can also be festive. They’re the dishes, the bowls, and the utensils that hold the food.

What to use:

• A set of quality serving dishes (in white or cream, so the food stands out)
• A set of quality serving bowls (in white or cream)
• A quality serving platter (for the main dish)
• A quality gravy boat (for gravy)
• A set of quality serving utensils (in a cohesive style)
• A set of holiday napkins (for the buffet)

What to skip:

• Serving pieces that are too busy (they compete with the food)
• Serving pieces that are too small (they don’t hold enough food)
• Serving pieces that don’t match (choose a cohesive set)

Price range: $15 to $60.

How to Set Up a Christmas Buffet Table

Step 1: Clear the Table

Start with a clear, clean table. Remove all everyday items.

Step 2: Add the Runner

Lay the table runner down the center of the table. Adjust so it hangs over the edges by 6 to 12 inches.

Step 3: Add the Centerpiece

Place the centerpiece at one end of the table (or in the center, if there’s space). Choose a low, wide arrangement that doesn’t block the food.

Step 4: Add the Greenery

Place a few sprigs of greenery along the runner. Add a few pinecones and berries for color.

Step 5: Add the Serving Pieces

Place the serving dishes on the table. Arrange them so they’re easy to reach. Leave space between the dishes for the accents.

Step 6: Add the Accents

Place the accents (candle holders, ornaments, mini trees) in the spaces between the serving dishes. Add a string of fairy lights along the runner.

Step 7: Add the Food

Place the food in the serving dishes. Arrange it so it looks good and is easy to serve.

What to Skip Entirely

A centerpiece that’s too tall. A tall centerpiece blocks the food and makes it hard to serve. Choose a low centerpiece.

Too many decorations. A buffet table that’s covered in decorations has no room for the food. Choose a few quality items.

Decorations that take up too much space. The buffet table’s primary job is to hold food. Don’t let the decorations take over.

Decorations that block the food. Don’t put decorations in front of the serving dishes. Keep the food accessible.

Decorations that are too messy. Greenery that sheds, candles that drip, or items that tip over are a hassle. Choose clean, stable decorations.

A tablecloth. A tablecloth is too much for a buffet table. A table runner is enough.

FAQ

How do I decorate a buffet table for Christmas? Lay a table runner down the center. Place a low centerpiece at one end. Add a few sprigs of greenery along the runner. Place the serving dishes on the table. Add accents (candle holders, ornaments, mini trees) between the dishes. Add a string of fairy lights. Place the food in the serving dishes.

What are the best decorations for a buffet table? The best decorations are a table runner ($10 to $30), a low centerpiece ($10 to $50), a few sprigs of fresh greenery ($5 to $20), a set of candle holders ($10 to $30), a bowl of ornaments ($5 to $15), a string of fairy lights ($5 to $15), and a set of quality serving dishes ($15 to $60).

What should I avoid when decorating a buffet table? Avoid a centerpiece that’s too tall (it blocks the food), too many decorations (no room for food), decorations that take up too much space, decorations that block the food, decorations that are too messy, and a tablecloth (a runner is enough).

How much does it cost to decorate a buffet table for Christmas? A table runner costs $10 to $30. A centerpiece costs $10 to $50. Greenery costs $5 to $20. Accents cost $10 to $30. Serving pieces cost $15 to $60. You can decorate a buffet table for $30 to $100.

How do I set up a Christmas buffet table? Clear the table. Add the runner. Add the centerpiece at one end. Add greenery along the runner. Add the serving dishes. Add accents between the dishes. Add fairy lights. Add the food. Keep the food accessible and the decorations low.

What size centerpiece should I use for a buffet table? A buffet table centerpiece should be low (12 inches or less) and wide. A tall centerpiece blocks the food and makes it hard to serve. Choose a low, wide arrangement that doesn’t take up too much space.

How do I make a buffet table look polished? Use a cohesive color scheme (2 to 3 colors). Use quality serving dishes (in white or cream). Use a quality table runner. Use a low, wide centerpiece. Add a few sprigs of greenery. Add a string of fairy lights. Keep the decorations low and the food accessible.

References

• Martha Stewart. “Buffet Table Decor.” https://www.marthastewart.com/275267/buffet-table-decor
• The Spruce. “Christmas Buffet Table.” https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-buffet-table-4142248
• Better Homes and Gardens. “Buffet Table Ideas.” https://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/decor/buffet-table-ideas/