Embracing Slow Living at Christmas: Nature-Inspired Table Decor

Winter draws us gently indoors, inviting us to gather close with family and friends. It’s the season when our homes become warm havens of hygge - soft candlelight, familiar scents, and textures that slow the pace of life. Christmas naturally becomes the heart of this cosy rhythm and each year I find myself leaning even more into personal, nature-touched details that make the season feel grounded and meaningful.

One of my favourite traditions is creating personalised table settings for my guests. Over time, I’ve discovered that these little handmade pieces spark so  much joy - often ending the evening with friends asking to take theirs home to hang on the tree. It’s a small gesture, but one that adds tenderness and thoughtfulness to the celebration.

These simple clay ornaments are beautifully easy to make, even for those of us with only modest crafting skills. All you need is some modelling clay, a rolling pin, and a few festive cookie cutters. You can gently emboss each  guest’s name into the soft clay, or, if you have lovely handwriting, write it on once the clay is dry. Just remember to create a hole while the clay is still soft so you can thread ribbon or wire through to tie it onto each napkin.

Once the ornaments are ready, have fun dressing the place settings with whatever natural touches speak to your festive style - sprigs of spruce, herbs, dried flowers, tiny baubles, or even a hint of mistletoe. This year I’m embracing a green, grounded palette, so rosemary picked from the garden paired with deep green baubles feels wonderfully serene and in tune with the season.

To complete the hygge atmosphere, light a few soft, flickering candles, warm a pot of homemade mulled wine and scatter a couple of cosy blankets nearby. Together, these small, slow-made details help transform the table - and the moment - into something memorable, nurturing and beautifully calm.