I host several dinners and parties every December, some casual, some formal and some just “family comfortable.” I use a set of Christmas dishes (found at Goodwill for a bargain) every time but with a different twist.

Here are some easy ideas for setting the table with the same set of dishes for different occasions.

Silver and Gold

For a formal dinner, use layers of silver and gold: placemat, charger, dinner plate, and gold salad plate. Tuck a silver edge napkin into the same angel napkin rings I hung on the tree last week.

For an elegant and sophisticated centerpiece, I used gold candles and trees and silver stars.

Christmas Brunch

A red-woven table runner lays the foundation for a casual breakfast. This time I paired the poinsettias salad plate with a square-red dish and a cute little ornament bowl (only 99 cents). Get creative with your napkins. Roll it up and tuck it in the handle of the coffee cup.

I love party favors. I filled a clear ornament with red and green candy. No need to wrap these little gifts!

The centerpiece is a vintage candle stick. But you can fill any container with faux greens and berries.

Winter Wonderland

For a homespun family meal, I started with an old quilt for a table cloth.

The napkin almost looks like a bow between two dishes. I embellished the felt snowflake with another sparkly one. Every guest gets one to hang on their tree.

Nothing is cuter than little snowmen and feather trees and red jingle bells!

Have a very Merry Christmas. Send me photos of your holiday table!