Christmas Coffee Table Decor Ideas (14 Easy Looks & Sizes)

A Christmas coffee table has a different job than a dining table. People put cups, remotes, and snacks on it, so the decor has to be low, light, and easy to move. These 14 Christmas coffee table decor ideas come with exact sizes, three ready-made looks with item counts, and safety tips for homes with kids and pets.

The two rules that make it work:

• Cover only about one third of the table. On a 48 by 24 inch coffee table that leaves room for 2 mugs and a plate.
• Keep everything under 12 inches tall, so you can see the TV and the person across from you. The one exception is a mini tree up to 16 inches, set at one end of the table.

Part 1: Pick a base (ideas 1 to 3)

1. A tray. A 16 by 24 inch tray holds all the small pieces in one spot, and you can lift it off when you need the table. Wood, marble, or gold all work. On a round table use an 18 inch round tray.

2. A stack of books. Stack 2 or 3 hardcover books, about 6 to 8 inches high in total, and put a short candle of 3 to 4 inches on top, so the stack stays under 12 inches. Books with plain covers in white, cream, or red look best. This gives you height for no cost.

3. A runner. A 12 by 48 inch runner down the middle of a rectangular table adds color, and it protects the surface. Skip it if your table is glass.

A tray and a stack of books hold everything together and add height.

Part 2: Add height and light (ideas 4 to 7)

4. Flameless candles in three heights. Use pillar candles about 3, 4, and 6 inches tall, grouped together on the tray. Set them on a timer so they glow every evening. Flameless candles have a much lower fire risk near greenery, kids, and pets.

5. A mini tree. A tree 12 to 16 inches tall in a pot or a basket. Pick white, green, or flocked. This is the one tall piece, so put it at one end of the tray.

6. A bud vase with greenery. 3 stems of pine, eucalyptus, or faux berries in a vase 6 to 8 inches tall.

7. A string of lights. A battery strand of warm white lights (about 6 feet) wrapped around the tray edge or tucked into a bowl, so no cord runs across the room.

Part 3: Add the Christmas (ideas 8 to 11)

8. A bowl of ornaments. A glass bowl 8 to 10 inches wide filled with 12 to 15 ornaments in 2 colors. Use shatterproof ornaments so the bowl is safe near kids.

9. A short garland. A 5-foot pine or eucalyptus garland laid across a 4-foot table, with the ends hanging down 6 inches. Wire in a few berries or pinecones.

10. Mini gifts. Wrap 3 empty boxes, about 4, 6, and 8 inches wide, and stack them. Use ribbon in one color and keep the paper plain.

11. A cocoa or cider set. A tray with 4 mugs, a jar of cocoa mix, and a small jar of marshmallows. It looks nice and it is a real use for the table. See our Christmas tablescape ideas for more food and table ideas.

A bowl of ornaments, a short garland, and mini gifts give the table its holiday look.

Part 4: Fit your home (ideas 12 to 14)

12. A round coffee table. Lay a 14 inch wreath flat in the center, and put a flameless pillar candle or a small bowl of ornaments inside it. Add nothing else.

13. A table with kids or pets. Use only shatterproof, light, and washable pieces. Skip glass vases, tinsel, and small ornaments. Put the tray on a lower shelf of the table or on top of a stack of books where the dog’s tail will not hit it.

14. A small space. If the table is under 36 inches, use a tray of 12 by 16 inches, 3 candles, and one mini tree. Two items on a tray look better than six scattered ones.

Three ready-made looks

Copy one of these. Each has 5 to 7 items.

The neutral look uses only white, cream, and wood.

For the room around the table, see our Christmas mantel decorating ideas, Christmas tree decorating ideas, and Christmas front porch ideas. For general sizes and centerpiece height see our party centerpiece ideas.

Budget tip

You can style a coffee table for about $51: a tray $12, 3 flameless candles $9, 12 ornaments $8, a mini tree $10, and a short garland $12. If you already own a tray, it drops to about $39. These are planning estimates for U.S. stores, exclude tax, and vary by store and region. Reuse everything next year.

Mistakes to avoid

• Too tall. Anything over 12 inches blocks the view.
• Too full. If you cannot set down a mug, remove one item.
• Real candles near greenery. Use flameless candles near garland, paper, and gifts.
• Fragile pieces in a busy room. Use shatterproof ornaments and a tray you can lift away.
• Loose cords. Use battery lights, or tape a cord out of the walkway.

Safety

• Keep real flames, if you use them, at least 12 inches from greenery, paper, and ribbon, and never leave them alone.
• Small ornaments, berries, and beads are a choking risk for young children, so keep them in a bowl above reach or skip them.
• Some faux and real greenery can upset a pet’s stomach if eaten.

Helpful safety sources

A few trusted places for the safety points in this guide:

• NFPA: safety with candles: Fire safety tips for candles, such as keeping them away from anything that can burn.
• HealthyChildren (AAP): choking prevention: Why small parts are a choking risk for young children.

FAQ

How do you decorate a coffee table for Christmas?

Start with a tray, then add three flameless candles in different heights, a mini tree or a bowl of ornaments, and a short garland. Keep the decor under 12 inches tall and cover only about one third of the table, so there is still room for mugs and snacks.

How tall should Christmas coffee table decor be?

Keep everything under 12 inches tall, so you can see the TV and the people across from you. A mini tree of 12 to 16 inches is the only exception, and it should sit at one end of the table.

What size tray do I need for a coffee table?

Use a tray of about 16 by 24 inches for a standard 48 by 24 inch coffee table, and an 18 inch round tray for a round table. For a table under 36 inches use a tray of 12 by 16 inches.

What can I put in a bowl on a Christmas coffee table?

Fill a glass bowl 8 to 10 inches wide with 12 to 15 shatterproof ornaments in 2 colors, or with pinecones, or with cranberries. Shatterproof ornaments are the safest choice near kids.

How do I decorate a coffee table with kids or pets?

Use only shatterproof, light, and washable pieces. Skip glass vases, tinsel, small ornaments, and real candles, and keep the tray where it is not in reach of a tail or a toddler. Flameless candles on a timer give the glow with a much lower fire risk.

How much does it cost to decorate a Christmas coffee table?

A simple look costs about $51: a tray $12, three flameless candles $9, 12 ornaments $8, a mini tree $10, and a short garland $12. If you already own a tray, it is about $39.

How many items should be on a coffee table?

Plan 5 to 7 items in total, grouped on one tray, with the rest of the table clear. If you cannot set down a mug, remove one item.

Related articles

• Christmas Tablescape Ideas
• Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas
• Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
• Party Centerpiece Ideas

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