A Little Sparkle for New Year's Eve

At New Year, the table needs room for another glass, a late arrival and a conversation that lasts past midnight. Dress it for an evening people can settle into.

Our starting point is the navy Christmas Night tablecloth. Its pale snowflakes make a lovely winter backdrop; you do not need to pack it away when Christmas is over.

Let the glasses bring the sparkle

White plates look crisp against dark linen. Add clear glasses and candles in proper holders, then leave the centre open for sharing dishes. A small arrangement is easier to live with than a tall centrepiece that hides the person opposite.

If your glassware does not all match, group similar shapes together. A table with a little history often feels more inviting than a perfectly matched set.

Change a few details, keep the linen

To move from Christmas lunch to New Year's Eve, put away the red decorations and bring out your plainest dishes. Keep the same cloth. Try simply folded napkins with a short ribbon, or let the fold itself be the decoration.

For a buffet, a matching runner can mark out the serving area. Put spare napkins next to the plates, where guests can help themselves.

Set the practical things first

Put out the largest serving bowl before arranging anything else. Leave a place for water, keep the candles clear of fabric and foliage, and check that no one has to reach across a flame for the bread.

For the cloth, measure your table rather than choosing by the number of guests. The size guide explains how much fabric will hang over each edge.

Make it a table you want to sit at

There is no need for a new set of everything. One good cloth, the plates already in your cupboard, and the people you want to end the year with are a fine place to start.

Explore Christmas Night, or browse our table linen for another colour story.