By Anna White November 05, 2015

Creating fabulous festive tables - Tartan Napkins

Sequins and tartan

R9 A0100a 1500 Young Weathered tartan napkins and sequin tablecloth


Whoever would have thought that glittering sequins would co-ordinate well with the tradition and heritage of tartan? In fact the contrast is what makes the effect so spectacular and personally as soon as I saw this combination I wanted my very own sequin tablecloth to bring out for special events. On this table we combined a gorgeous shade of champagne to pick out the subtle sand coloured stripe through the Young Weathered tartan. We hired our tablecloth from Pudding Bridge and at least this meant they had the happy task of cleaning all the wax off the sequins afterwards....sorry about that!

Style tip: Pick one of the minor colours in your favourite tartan and use your tablecloth to make this colour a hero.

Make your own

Make own napkins1000 Tartan napkin ring


For the crafty people out there or those needing to occupy the children in the week before Christmas these napkins rings are so simple to make. All you need is a trusty toilet roll or kitchen roll tube and some pieces of tartan. It is nice to use some family tartan or give guests a setting with their own tartan but this is your table and your napkin rings and if you have some scraps you want to use up then this is the perfect opportunity.

Bring out the jewels

Young tartan napkins brooches 1000 Brooches

My 10 year old daughter was in heaven with this table setting. Instead of using boring old napkin rings we tied a satin ribbon round our napkins and pinned them with a sparkly brooch. This is quite a sophisticated look and I love the idea that as you sit down to eat and unfurl your napkin, the brooch can be pinned to your outfit. You could have a lot of fun with this at your family Christmas table and choose brooches to suit individual personalities, with festive themes for the little ones.

Style tip: Instead of jewels you could use clan crest kilt pins or badges in your guest's own family crest or one of our thistle, piper or lion rampant crests which can be worn by anyone.

Simple ribbon

Tartan ribbon million uses0005 180517 023658 Tartan ribbon


Ribbon is wonderful stuff for transforming everything from a parcel to a plain coloured napkin. Whether you tie a really fancy bow (see the blog for how to do this) or a really simple knot this is a simple, cost effective way to brighten up your Christmas table. We have different ribbons to choose from including wool and printed sateen.

What are you planning for your table this Christmas? Go on share your secrets with us!