A spruced up table adds to the festivity and enjoyment of your celebration. Make your statement clean, advises Don Jensen, owner of Linen Effects, a Minneapolis, Minnesota, event planning company. "Do it with good taste, good measure and good refinement. And always have what is best for your guests in the back of your mind, not what is the showiest."

Start with a good tablecloth and perhaps a festive runner. For a centerpiece, fill a crystal bowl with glass ornaments, pinecones or flowers. Or group candlestick holders or vases of the same material, but different heights, as a centerpiece. And remember that these focal points can be revamped with other seasonal items for occasions throughout the year.

China always works, but mix and match dinnerware patterns for fun. Plus, combining servingware, accents, tablecloths and napkins of varied materials and textures (think glass, wood, metal, bamboo and linen) will add richness and visual appeal to your table.

Here’s how to properly set your holiday table:

• Place the utensils from the outside of your place setting, working toward the entrée dish, with the soup bowl in the center.
• Place two forks on the left side of the plate. A smaller one for the salad should be placed on the outside, while a longer dinner fork is placed on the inside, next to the entrée dish.
• Arrange the knife, spoon and soupspoon on the right side of the dish, with the soupspoon furthest away from the plate.
• Place the bread plate and knife to the above left of the main plate.
• Place the water and wine glasses to the upper right of the plate, at an angle, with the water glass inside.
• Place napkins on the plate or underneath the forks.
• Following the meal, clear the table and serve coffee or tea.