A Christmas table runner does the hard work of a festive table for you. Lay it down the centre, build a low line of candles and greenery along it and keep every plate clear of the middle. A Santa runner brings the colour, so the rest of the table can stay simple: white plates, one metal and a little green.
Why start with a runner
A full Christmas tablecloth is a big commitment. It needs a big wash, a big iron and a table the right size. A runner sits down the middle only, so it works on a bare wooden table, over a plain cloth or on a table that is longer than usual because the extra leaf is in.
It also gives the centre of the table a job. The middle is where the candles, the crackers and the serving dishes end up. A runner marks that space, catches the drips from the gravy boat and keeps the look together when the table fills up.
A Santa design does one more thing: it says Christmas the moment anyone walks in. You need far less on top of it to make the table feel festive.
Getting the placement right
Lay the runner straight down the length of the table. Leave the ends either hanging an even amount over each side or stopping an even distance from each edge. Measure from both ends, because a runner that is off by a few centimetres looks crooked once the plates go down.
- On a long rectangular table, run it end to end and let it hang a little over each end.
- On a square or round table, lay it across the middle as a band, or use it under a centrepiece.
- On an extended table, centre it over the join so the gap between the leaves disappears.
If your table is very wide, a runner across the width at each place setting is another option. It works best with a second runner or a set.
Building the centre line
The centre of a Christmas table has two jobs. It has to look festive, and it has to leave room for the food and for people to see each other across the table. Keep everything along the runner low and narrow.
Candles
Three or five candles in a row look better than two or four. Choose one height or a gentle step from low at the ends to taller in the middle. Keep real flames well clear of the runner and any greenery, or use LED candles if the table will be crowded.
Greenery
A few sprigs of foliage, a short length of garland or a scatter of pine cones softens the line of candles. Lay it along the runner, not across it, so it frames the Santa design rather than hiding it.
One small extra
A bowl of clementines, a few baubles in a glass dish or some walnuts in their shells is plenty. Every guest should be able to reach their glass without moving anything.
Colours that go with a Santa runner
Santa brings red and white to the table, so let him lead. The easiest scheme is the classic one: red, white, green and one metal.
- White plates let the runner stand out and make the food look good in the photos.
- One metal: gold for a warm, traditional table or silver for a cooler, crisp one. Pick one for the cutlery, candle holders and napkin rings and stick to it.
- Green napkins or greenery tie in the tree and the wreath.
- Red crackers echo Santa's coat and fill the gap at each place.
Avoid adding a second patterned cloth or patterned plates. One busy design on a table is festive. Three looks like a jumble sale.
Setting each place
With the runner in the middle, each place setting can be plain and neat.
- A dinner plate with a side plate or bowl on top.
- A folded napkin on the plate or to the left, with a sprig of rosemary or a name tag tucked in.
- A cracker across the top of the plate.
- One wine glass and one water glass at the top right.
Name cards are worth the effort for a big family meal. They settle who sits where before anyone has to ask, and they make the table look planned.
Making room for the food
The biggest Christmas table problem is not looks. It is space. The turkey, the roast potatoes, three kinds of vegetables, the stuffing and the gravy all need somewhere to go.
Plan for it before the guests arrive:
- Leave gaps along the runner where serving dishes can sit, and keep candles at the ends.
- Use a trivet or a heatproof mat under hot dishes. A cloth runner is a decoration, not a heat mat.
- Put the carving board on a side table or a sideboard and bring plates to it.
- Clear the extra decorations into a box when dessert comes out, and put the pudding on the runner as the new centrepiece.
Using it beyond Christmas Day
A runner is not only for one meal. Lay it out at the start of December and it dresses the table for the whole month.
- Under an advent wreath or a row of candles for weekday dinners.
- Beneath a bowl of baubles on a sideboard or a hall table.
- Along a dresser or a long shelf under the Christmas cards.
- On the table for a Christmas Eve buffet or a New Year's Eve supper.
Looking after it
This runner is made of cloth and weighs 54 g, so it is light and easy to handle. Check the care label before washing it. Shake off crumbs after each meal and blot any spill straight away with a damp cloth before it soaks in.
It arrives folded in a flat pack of 260 x 210 x 10 mm. If the folds show, a cool iron on the reverse or a few hours lying flat under the tablecloth usually smooths them out.
After Christmas, fold it the same way and store it flat in a drawer with your festive napkins. It takes almost no space and it is ready for the first dinner next December.
A good small gift for the host
A Christmas table runner also makes a thoughtful present for whoever is hosting this year. It is light, it posts easily in a card-sized parcel and it gets used at the meal you are invited to.
- For a parent who always hosts, it adds a fresh touch to a table they have laid for years.
- For a first Christmas in a new home, it gives a new table a proper festive centre.
- For a Secret Santa, it is useful, festive and easy to wrap.
Lay it down the middle, keep the centre low, let Santa bring the colour and leave room for the turkey. That is a Christmas table people remember.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Santa Christmas table runner made of?
It is made of cloth and weighs 54 g. Check the care label before washing, and blot spills straight away with a damp cloth.
How do I get the folds out of a new table runner?
It arrives folded flat in a 260 x 210 x 10 mm pack. A cool iron on the reverse, or a few hours lying flat, usually smooths the folds out.
Can I put hot dishes straight on the runner?
Use a trivet or heatproof mat under hot dishes. A cloth runner is a decoration, so it needs protecting from pans and serving dishes straight from the oven.
Key details
| Packed size | 260 x 210 x 10 mm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cloth |
| Weight | 54 g |
Supplier-stated measurements.
Santa Claus Christmas Table Runner
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