Inspiring Cozy Coastal Christmas Tablescape Ideas & LDEI Holiday Hosting Guide

Art of Gathering
Written By Leeann Lavin
 
 

It’s probably a safe bet that you’re as set as you're gonna’ be with all the Holiday shopping, decorating the tree, and gift wrapping for loved ones, and are now pivoting to the final preparations for the festive holiday gatherings. As many of us begin to focus on setting the special table for this “most wonderful time of the year,” there’s something undeniably charming about a tablescape that creates a fantasy; the magic and warmth of childhood Christmases, of our unbridled imaginations.

 
 

It’s no secret that Christmas decorating is all about the details ~ (could that To-Do list get any longer?!) ~ and when entertaining at home, the dining table, the heart of festive gatherings ~ is no exception.  

In fact, details matter most where the celebration takes center stage. 

It’s the one space that brings us all together. Sharing delicious meals, with so many recipes honoring our cultural heritage and probably showcasing our newest favorites at the same time, (e.g. The Seven Fishes and Pernil, anyone?); sharing stories, laughs, and making new memories is what we cherish most and remember long after the last of the ornaments are packed away.  

When it comes to the details of creating an inspired table setting that will delight your guests, start with an idea; a dream.  For example, will your Christmas table tell a tale of nostalgic design featuring the Nutcracker, Santa, or traditional plaids, along with red and green?  Or will you feature dramatic, chromatic whites; Or toys? Or?  

With everything going on, it can be a challenge to design a table setting that will reflect your sincere hospitality for an enchanting, magical dining experience. 

Where to start? How to design?  These are questions we all have. In every tablescape design and posting I do, I always aim to offer inspiration, guidance, and support.

And just like that, as I was preparing my Thanksgiving tablescape, I got an email asking me to lend my artful experience to help guide tablescape designs for the Holidays.

 
 

The secret to a memorable, luxurious holiday experience was being offered by the experts from one of the best professional organizations I belong to: Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI). 

Talk about a master class! There is no better authority than the renowned Dames to give their considered, high-quality expertise for food, beverages, and hospitality.  Their hands-on, real-world experience is unparalleled. The Dames reign supreme as chefs, bakers, sommeliers, caterers, culinary stylists, cookbook authors and TV cooks.  You probably know some of our more famous Dames such as Carla Hall, Lidia Bastianich, and Marion Nestle, to name a few. 

 
 

So you can readily understand that I was very honored to have been asked to participate in their event for the 2025 LDEI Holiday Hosting Guide, Festive Flavors & Gatherings.  

I want to make you, dear reader, aware that Les Dames d’Escoffier International produces extraordinary online events that you can readily access. The fees are so doable at $20 and the monies are targeted for the scholarship fund for the next-gen professionals.  

 
 

The LDEI Online events are where you can learn from the professionals in a most entertaining and educational way like no other content creator can offer. LDEI ONLINE is a series of virtual programs hosted by LDEI members, sponsors, from around the world, celebrating our community… Virtual events range from tastings to demonstrations to panel discussions and more.  

You’ll love it. Pinkie Promise.

For the Festive Flavors & Gatherings event, the tantalizing invitation read:

From elegant entertaining shortcuts to creative menus and décor inspiration, you’ll discover fresh ways to bring warmth, flavor, and sparkle to your celebrations. You’ll also receive some exciting new cocktail recipes from longtime LDEI partner, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, to help you toast the season in style.

Whether your style is cozy and casual or polished and chic, this session is full of tried and tested tips from women who know how to make guests feel truly special.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gather, learn, and celebrate with your LDEI community!

Register today and get ready to bring the magic home this holiday season.

Featured Speakers:

Dame Blanca Aldaco, San Antonio Chapter

Dame Lisa Blount, New Orleans Chapter

Dame Laura Briscoe, Arizona Chapter

Dame Julie Hettinger, North Carolina Chapter

Dame Cary Kelly, Washington DC Regional Chapter

Dame Francine Kowalsky, New York Chapter

Dame Leeann Lavin, New York Chapter * 🙂

Dame Elisabeth Luard, London Chapter

Dame Kathy G. Mezrano, Birmingham Chapter

Dame Deborah Mintcheff, New York Chapter

Dame Nancy Scanlon, South Florida Chapter

The robust program included how-tos about a panoply of entertaining pursuits including: 

While I produced several instructive, animated, How-To guidelines for the event’s attendees that are part of the overall value-add, I will share just two screens here to demonstrate how to start to build a tablescape:

 
 

My Holiday Tips & Ideas for a Christmas Tablescape

Back to my seasonal Christmas table design tips.

Consider the place-setting elements that will visually communicate your fantasy composition. 

Layering vintage-inspired china with coordinating glassware and whimsical serving pieces instantly elevates the setting. Nostalgic designs provide a perfect way to blend traditional charm with contemporary.  

In years past, I’ve created the Nutcracker, Candy Cane, and Swan Lake themes for our Christmas table. I still get dreamy seeing their twinkly, festive compositions…

 
 

This year, I was inspired by a piece of art I saw at the Art Gallery where I volunteer, which is a hop, skip and a jump from our country house in the Garden State.

Forgive me for probably repeating how much I love trees ~ they occupy a special place in my heart ~ and upon seeing the Sea Glass Tree artfully designed by Esther Calvano with its crowning Star Fish, it immediately sparked my Christmas table decor dreamscape.  I was smitten ~ excited about how I would create a Cozy Coastal Christmas tablescape!  

 
 

After all, we live on the bay with the ocean just beyond the Hook.  

Yet, I had to think about how I’d make this color scheme work… 🤔 

I loved the soft sea glass colors of blues and greens.  But how to yoke the colors into a Christmas look?  

A Blue Christmas color palette is a wee bit different for me, I’d readily admitted. But then, layering in my much-loved chinoiserie, blue & green stemware to amplify the artful centerpiece sea glass tree, along with finding feathery blue trees that I found at Foxy Reds while on a (rare) weekend getaway near New Hope, PA that played further into my tree ardor; along with cheerful red plants, a joyful Noël look was emerging. 

 

A Cozy Coastal tablescape look is so much about the color ~ layering neutrals with ocean hues of blues & seafoam green, adding natural textures & beach finds from my shelling, & of course the greenery. I used lots of mini red cyclamen & poinsettias that are so striking in the petite chinoiserie pots.   

 
 
 
 

I especially love the blue air plant that added an exotic, sea-creature personna, for even more of a “Cousteau” charm.  

I also added festive sparkle with icy silver accents and twinkly lights under the runner and with varied sizes of battery-fueled trees.

I found an aqueous blue table runner & napkins that looked like they were a match made in the Caribbean :) ~ I doubled the napkins with textured navy linen & adorned with jewel-like Mistletoe napkin rings from Joanna Buchanan.  

Together, it all worked like a seaside dream. 🌊

And since we all need more Christmas Kisses, I nestled some fresh mistletoe in the special, small, horizontal table "vases" I nabbed years ago at ABC Carpet and Home   🌿 

 
 

Surveying the table setting as I layered, in an "art begets art" moment, I placed the mistletoe cuttings on the unique, green, Magnolia art pieces gifted to us earlier this year by sister Sharon & her husband, Carlo, who discovered them at their local Palmetto state art source.


Here, in this video I posted on my YouTube and Instagram, I wanted to share the dazzling look in both the day & night.

The different light enhances the many layered details... (can you see them all?!) 

 
 

I hope you see the layered composition creates a serene, beachy holiday feel that's both relaxed and elegant. 

 
 
 
 

In the end, I was able to create a look that feels both timeless and playful, creating a dining experience that’s as visually captivating as it is inviting. 

We just hosted family last week and I was so happy that they were as delighted in the artful design as much as we are...  How lovely to sit at table together and enjoy it all and each other. 

The only thing I think I’ll add is some cashmere pashminas for over the back of the chairs in the event someone wants to warm up even more.  I’ve done this in the past with throws and sheepskin.  Recently, on one of my Gotham walks near the apartment, I also saw it done at some of Gotham’s outdoor cafes.  Nice touch. 

 
 

I hope you are inspired to create a table setting that is stylish and inviting, mindful that every setting tells a story ~ your unique story. It will spark conversation and delight your guests with your sincere, heartfelt, welcoming joy.  

From our home to yours, I wish you a happy, healthy, Coastal Christmas wherever you may be... 

A Blue holiday never looked so glamorous 💙 

Cheers.

 
 
 
Leeann Lavin
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