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This holiday table will leave you feeling blue, in the best possible way. Soft touches of blue juniper berries, privet, and blue velvet create a soft Christmas palette.

It’s that time of year – I’m sharing our breakfast nook all decked out! I’m so excited for the holidays! I’ve been playing Holly Jolly Christmas Songs and making some of our favorites including Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Clusters and hot chocolate.
Simple and Sophisticated in Blue
Can you believe it’s already time to share a little fresh holiday decor? I feel like November is flying by, and I have so much I want to create and share in the weeks ahead.
In fact, I have a complete guide for both Christmas Centerpieces and Fall Centerpieces! There’s an incredible collection of inspiration from years gone by that I just know you’ll enjoy.

My Christmas decor is generally a slow crawl – I like to pace myself and enjoy the process, versus getting stressed out about having it all done in a day.
This year, I wanted to create a holiday table in a slightly different color palette. I was inspired by the soft beautiful shade of blue in juniper berries that grow at the lake cottage and a pretty velvet ribbon I found.
It was the inspiration I always look for when deciding on my Christmas decor each year!

A Soft Blue Table Setting
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that my decor usually fits two criteria:
- Simple
- Fresh
This makes decorating green while not requiring any storage the other 11 months out of the year!

As a minimalist, I draw from everyday staples (listed below) and accent with foraged greens and flowers. This blue Christmas table setting is no different!

It’s comprised of the below favorites, many of which I’ve had for 5-10 years and use regularly!
- Classic White Dinner Plates and Salad Plates (I dress these up and down and they’re only $23 for a set of 6!)
- Gold Flatware
- Linen Napkins
- Red Wine Glasses (set of 4 just $$19.20)
- Water Goblets (these double as IPA glasses)
- Brass Candlesticks
- Vase
You can see more of my minimalist favorites and subscribe on YouTube here!
Classic pieces transition from season to season effortlessly, without consuming additional cabinet and counter space! I added a little luxe velvet ribbon for a touch of color and texture.

To Create This Blue Christmas Centerpiece You’ll Need:
- Juniper
- Privet Berries (any berries will do, hypericum tend to be easily accessible)
- Garden Roses (however, any roses will do)
Designing a Garden Rose Centerpiece
Nothing inspires me quite like the shape, fragrance and lush petally look of garden roses. These cream beauties have the most incredible scent! This centerpiece is quite simple to create, I promise.

You’ll need three types of stems. In my case I used juniper, privet berry, and garden roses.
- Fill your vase with water.
- Prep your stems by removing any leaves that may fall below the top of the vase.
- Working along the outside, add your first layer of greenery. Choose the greens that drape the best – in this case it was my privet berry simply because it had a longer stem. On the outside of the vase, angle the greenery so you can see how you’d like it to fall and what length you would like it to be. I like to do this near the edge of a counter top so I can visually see where I need to cut. Cut at an angle, and repeat with all the stems.
- Add your second layer of greenery, in this case stems of fresh juniper, again working along the outside.
- Measure and cut your garden rose blooms working in all directions, turning your vases as you work. Work your way inward.
- Continue with any additional flowers.
- Fill in any holes with greenery until your arrangement feels full and adjust as needed.
To make this table setting dramatic, I added a cedar garland around the door frame. It adds the most beautiful scent and frames the breakfast nook beautifully!

How to Hang Garland
I received several questions on Instagram asking how to hang garland. It’s simple! However, I do have a few tips!
- To hang garland over a door frame, simply hammer 3 nails (or 2 for a standard door frame) into the top. You can remove after the holidays and no one will ever know they ever existed!
- Starting at the end, allow for the amount of drape you want and work your way up to your first nail. Find the natural “break” to make the corner and push down onto the nail so that the garland catches.
- Find the natural break in the center and push onto the middle nail.
- Find the natural break to drape over the other side of the door frame and insert onto the nail.
- Drape and trim where desired (preferably at a break).

Blue Christmas Centerpiece
Supplies
- juniper
- berries
- roses
Equipment
- Floral Shears
Instructions
- Fill your vase with water.
- Prep your stems by removing any leaves that may fall below the top of the vase.
- Working along the outside, add your first layer of greenery.
- Choose the greens that drape the best - in this case it was my privet berry simply because it had a longer stem. On the outside of the vase, angle the greenery so you can see how you’d like it to fall and what length you would like it to be. I like to do this near the edge of a counter top so I can visually see where I need to cut. Cut at an angle, and repeat with all the stems.
- Add your second layer of greenery, in this case stems of fresh juniper, again working along the outside.
Measure and cut your garden rose blooms working in all directions, turning your vases as you work. Work your way inward. - Continue with any additional flowers.
- Fill in any holes with greenery until your arrangement feels full and adjust as needed.
Tips
More Holiday Inspiration
- The Best Christmas Cocktails
- Favorite Peppermint Recipes
- Thoughtful Hostess Gifts
- Christmas Cocktails
- 50+ Christmas Cookie Recipes
- DIY Christmas Wreath
Michael Wurm jr. says
That garland makes such a welcoming addition to your dining room. It’s gorgeous!
xo Michael
Julie Blanner says
Thank you so much Michael! It makes me happy every time I walk by!