The holidays are a festive time of the year when we share lovingly made, delicious meals with our families. At the centre of each these magical gastronomic annual gatherings is the table, where we recount our lives, laugh and share. Witness to passionate discussions and the buttons that we undo after enjoying a copious dinner, the holiday table is where we raise our glass to the approach of the New Year and to the one that is ending!

This year, to help you decorate the table that will be at the centre of festivities during the holiday season, we met with florists from our markets to ask them about their favourites. What follows are four ideas that are certain to inspire you to make the most beautiful and welcoming tables for the holidays.

The Perfect Table Place Card

Stéphanie, from La Blandinerie at Maisonneuve Market, suggests a minimalist prism that can be decorated with delicate, lightly scented greens for a pretty table place card to add to the elegance of your holiday table. When the evening is over, you can transform your place card into a Christmas tree ornament. To do so, Stephanie advises you to use dried light bamboo branches to make the base and to decorate it with greens such as juniper or, her preferred foliage, Oregonia Panaché. Just spray it with water every day to keep the foliage intact. The art of setting the holiday table just got easier with this trick.

Photo credit: Stéphanie Lefebvre

Sequoia Cone Christmas Tree Centrepiece

For small tables, Myriam, from Binette et Filles in Jean Talon Market, recommends a small Christmas tree that you can make with a sequoia cone. A cone, some sprigs of evergreen, little ornaments, beautiful ribbons and voilà! Just ensure that there is enough water to keep the evergreen boughs from drying out and you will have a warm and inviting centrepiece.

Flowers in the Spotlight

Marie-Eve, from Chez Daniel at Jean Talon Market, suggests a centrepiece in which the colours of Christmas predominate, with hypericum, evergreen sprigs and white flowers. This festive centrepiece is sure to add some magic to your table over the holiday season.

Poinsettia

And finally, because it’s a classic that never goes out of style, Éric, from the Fleuriste chez Louisette boutique at Atwater market, suggests the traditional poinsettia that can decorate your table or different rooms over the holidays. This plant needs watering once a week and is perfect for those who like pretty plants but have not yet discovered their green thumb, and for those for whom the poinsettia will always be part of the holiday tradition.