It’s been a crazy week here at the Kraus house. My employer suggested we go back to working from home (if you follow my IG stories you know why I’m not a good work from home person). I’m finishing up the family room refresh at my sister in laws house (WOW-the transformation is nothing short of AMAZING – yes, there will def be a blog post about it soon). I’m in the middle of my favorite, fun campaign I do every holiday season on the blog: #20daysoftartan as well as finishing up decorating the house for the holiday. In particular my tablescape. Whew, no wonder I’m always tired! As for the tables, due to the Pandemic I’m tweaking a few things and doing my holiday tablescapes with COVID precautions this year.
Did you say tablescapes?
Yup, you read that right. Plural. Tablescapes. Usually I decorate the main dining room table that sits up to 12. ONE table. However, this year it’s important to take into consideration COVID safety measures. Instead of sitting my family close together at one table I will be creating THREE separate tablescapes of four this year to help with social distancing.
Plastic is coming to the party
Along with spreading people out amongst three tables, another way I’m taking COVID precautions is I’m using plastic ware. No dishes to gather, clean and possibly cross contaminate. Everything will be disposable and each person can throw away their own setting when finished. Initially, I thought that having three small tables adorned with plastic would be tacky. I was wrong. The COVID safe tablescapes I created are elegant, functional and most importantly will assist in keeping my family safe! Although my tablescape has multiplied to three and plastic is being used. I’m still sticking to a method I use for every tablescape I put together.
My tablescape method
I have a formula for putting together an easy and functional tablescape that I use every time I put together a tablescape (with or without COVID precautions).
- The base layer – Always start with a runner (or two or three) and plate chargers as the base layer to any tablescape.
- The necessities – plates, glassware, napkins, silverware
- The finishing touches – decor, greenery, candles and filler pieces
Three elegant COVID SAFE tablescapes
So excited and really happy how my three holiday tablescapes with COVID precautions came together. Way better than I expected. Check them out below!
CHRISTMAS TREE TABLESCAPE
I call the first holiday tablescape with COVID precautions the CHRISTMAS TREE TABLE. Wicker chargers HERE, white hobnail plastic decorative plates HERE. Also try Party City and Amazon for variations. Small burlap Christmas trees found at the entranceway of Target (only $3 each!) These Magnolia ones are so cute HERE. Small chair pillows Walmart, centerpiece greenery Target HERE and HERE.
WHITE WINTERLAND TABLESCAPE
This is my favorite holiday tablescape. Simple, elegant, functional with texture instead of color. To make it COVID safe I used white plasticware plates with silver trim and white plastic utensils. The utensils are displayed in a fanned paper towel. I also attached a salt and pepper packet to each napkin. No sharing and no germs spread by shared table items. The centerpiece has extra plastic utensils.
TARTAN TABLESCAPE
My third tablescape with COVID precautions is what I’m calling a tartan tablescape. Tartan pillows, black charger, white hobnail plastic plates, black plastic silverware tied together with tartan ribbon and red solo cup all a disposable table setting. Looking at the tablescape pictures I cannot even tell it’s put together with disposable essentials.
More pics of the three tablescapes
