Christmas Table on a Budget: Two Looks for Six Under £40

Most of what we write about at this time of year is Meri Meri, and most of it is worth every penny. But not every Christmas table needs to be, and some of the prettiest ones we have seen this year were done with a paper tablecloth, a packet of star confetti and a £3.99 pack of plates. This is the Christmas table on a budget: two complete looks for a table of six, each one under £40, and both of them good enough to photograph. 🎄

The white and gold Christmas table on a budget ⭐

This is the Hootyballoo White & Gold Star range, and it is the easiest Christmas table on a budget we know. Start with the Gold Star Paper Tablecloth, which is £8.99 and does more for the table than anything else on this list, because it covers the whole thing in one go. Scatter the White & Gold Star Table Scatter down the middle, hang the Gold Star Garland - 4m along the wall behind, and light the White Star Tea Light Candles x 2 at each end. That is four things and £26.96.

Then the one piece that makes it a Christmas table rather than a nice table: the White Christmas Fill Your Own Crackers x 6. Six plain white crackers with a gold star, £7.99, and you fill them yourself with whatever your family actually wants (we covered what to put in them in the crackers post). Put one across each plate and the table is finished.

If there is anything left, the Large Christmas Tree Honeycombs With Star x 3 stand on the sideboard, and the White Christmas Tree Candles x 2 go in the middle of the table in place of flowers.

The vintage red bow Christmas table on a budget 🎀

The second look is Party Deco's vintage bow range, and it is the one for a traditional red and green Christmas. The Red Bow Vintage Christmas Party Plates x 6 are cream with a red rim and a painted bow in the middle, £3.99 for six, with the Red Bow Vintage Christmas Party Cups x 6 to match. Lay them on a plain white cloth with a sprig of real holly on each one and they look like they cost five times as much.

The Beige & Gold Bow Christmas Party Plates x 6 are the softer version of the same plate, cream and gold with a scalloped edge, and the two mix well if you want to stretch the pack to a bigger table.

The finishing touch, and the thing that carries the whole look, is a velvet bow. The Red Velvet Bow Tie Decorations x 6 are six velvet bows on a tie, £7.99, and one tied round a folded napkin at each place is the single best pound-for-pound thing you can do to a Christmas table.

The two Christmas tables on a budget, costed 🧾

Both come in under the £40 free delivery line, so add a Gold Star Medium Gift Bag or two for the teacher presents and the postage is covered.

Where to spend the extra tenner 💷

If the budget stretches, spend it on one Meri Meri piece rather than more of everything. The Jolly Christmas Small Party Plates x 8 at £7.99 are the cheapest way into the Jolly range and sit happily on top of the red bow dinner plates, and the White Christmas Tree Candles x 2 turn the white and gold table from nice into properly festive. Or put it towards the candles, which is where a cheap table most often gives itself away.

Shop the Christmas table on a budget 🛒

Everything here is in Christmas Under £10 and Christmas Tableware. Free UK delivery over £40 and next-day delivery on everything in stock.