12 Easy Steps to Your Cosy Christmas Table (Without Breaking the Budget)

By Louise & Shiralee, Devine & Co.

Oh, Christmas. We love the holiday vibe, the presents, and the family chaos. But let’s be honest: the pressure to create that beautiful setting often clashes with the reality of how expensive this time of year is. Here in Australia, we also have to factor in the 40 degree heat (let's hope anyway, a rainy Christmas just isn't right!).

If you’re like us, chasing new decor trends can seriously hurt your savings. We wanted to share our secret: The Long Game. We’ll show you how we curate a stunning Christmas setting that builds itself up year after year saving you cash, stress, and keeping the focus on the joy of family.

Phase 1: Budget Proofing Your Base (Rules 1–4)

This is the strategic foundation for creating a table that looks expensive but is built to last, prioritising reusability and budget control.

1. The Three-Colour Rule: Stick to a maximum of three core colours for your table. It keeps the look cohesive without needing endless accessories.

2. Invest in Year-Round Neutrals: Spend your budget on quality, reusable pieces (linen, serving ware) in creams, whites, and earthy greens that work all year round.

3. The DIY Greenery Trick: Buy one high-quality faux garland as your base. Then, simply add fresh clippings (from your garden or local store) for authentic scent and texture.

4. The Repurpose Principle: Every new item should have a life after Christmas. Can your linen runner be a hallway accent? If yes, we see it as a smart buy!

Phase 2: Heat Hacks & Personal Touches (Rules 5–8)

These simple tricks solve common Aussie Christmas problems—heat, safety, and lack of time, with personalised charm.

5. Hack the Heat (LED Glow): Swap open flames for LED candles inside mason jars. You get the cosy glow without the extra heat or safety risk around little ones.

6. Personal Place Cards: Skip expensive options. Buy card stock and use your own handwriting for a massive, personalised impact, or dust off the Cricut and make truly personalised ones.

7. Pre-Set the Foundation (The Day-Before Secret): This isn't just for Christmas, it's a year-round hosting essential! Set up your table base (runner, placemats, serving plates) the day before the event. Getting the fundamental structure done early saves you massive stress on the day of the party, whether it’s a Christmas lunch or a birthday gathering.

8. The Herb Accent: Add instant fragrance by tying place settings with a simple sprig of rosemary or eucalyptus.

Phase 3: Seating & Serving Savvy (Rules 9–12)

When hosting big numbers, these solutions keep guests comfortable and make cleanup easy, allowing you to focus on connection.

9. Budget Savvy Plates: Choose reusable basics early, OR use beautiful recycled disposable plates and cutlery to skip the dishes.

10. The Trestle Table Transformation: For overflow, use a simple trestle table dressed up with a linen tablecloth to merge it seamlessly with your main setting.

11. The Cohesive Seating Hack: Combine similar indoor chair styles or use inexpensive folding chairs for backup. Mix and match for an eclectic, comfortable feel.

12. Delegate a Drink Station: Keep guests cool and kitchen traffic low by setting up a self-serve drink station outside the dining space.

 

Our Main Rule: Short-Term Purchase for Long-Term Use

The most important thing for us is finding decor items that can be reused Christmas after Christmas or repurposed around the house throughout the year. We prefer accumulating items we genuinely love over the years—it’s the smart way to do it.

The Foundation: We reuse our timeless rustic wooden table and cross back chairs every year, fine-tuning the smaller pieces (candles, napkins) to create a beautiful vibe without starting from scratch.

Linen Runners & Napkins	Stick to neutrals—they work for Easter, birthdays, or just a regular dinner.
Simple Candle Holders	Go for classic brass, wood, or ceramic; they elevate any table setting, year-round.
Plates & Cutlery	Budget Savvy: Invest in long-term basics early or choose beautiful recycled disposable plates and cutlery.

What's Next?

Curating the perfect Christmas lunch isn't about one huge shopping trip. It’s about being strategic. By choosing items that work for your home year-round, you save money and create a truly cosy and authentic aesthetic.

Stay tuned for more of our hacks and clever shortcuts to a beautiful life!

Happy Hosting, Louise & Shiralee, Devine & Co.