The Popular Decor Piece You Should Never Add To Your Holiday Tablescape

Setting the table for a festive feast is an exciting and rewarding experience when preparing for holiday guests, and a surprising way to make memories before sharing a good meal. There's a lot of thought required when designing a holiday tablescape, but there are a few things to steer clear of to avoid an unsavory experience. When preparing the table, the idea of flickering candlelight is quaint and nostalgic; however, experienced hosts warn that you need to be selective about which candles you choose if you decide to go this route. 

Scented candles are good options for decorating for Christmas on a budget, but you might want to think twice before including them in your festive tablescape this holiday season since scented candles are best kept far away from any food items. Though you might feel tempted by appetizing seasonal scents like sugarplum taffy, gingerbread cookie, or marshmallow forest, the reality is these strong and sometimes overpowering scents do not mix well when combined with the sensory experience of a home-cooked meal. Here is why home experts advise against setting your table with fragrant scented candles during the holiday season and what festive decor you can choose to feast your eyes on instead for a more balanced experience for you and your guests. 

As we mentioned, the main reason you want to avoid featuring scented candles in your tablescape is that the smells can often be overpowering or sickeningly sweet. Some guests are quite sensitive to these strong fragrances, while the chemicals or synthetic fragrance oils can trigger headaches or allergies in others¹. If one of your guests is prone to migraines or struggles with asthma, it's best to avoid candles with strong scents altogether. 

Another reason you'll want to avoid scented candles on the dinner table is that the powerful fragrance can negatively interact with the food you worked so hard to prepare and serve. Overly sweet scents might not mesh well with a savory spread of holiday meats or other savory sides when they're all placed next to each other on the table. You don't want to risk cheap, strong-smelling fragrances dominating your guests' palates and interfering with the overall meal experience that you worked so tirelessly to create. 

Melted candle wax can also drip onto food and cause an unnecessary mess. This wax is not safe to consume, so if any drips onto plates of food or cutlery it could prove to be a potentially toxic situation. You never know what chemicals are used in the manufacturing process of scented candles, so the safest option would be to leave them off the tablescape entirely.  

If you love the idea of flickering lights illuminating your homemade dishes while reflecting off of cutlery and glassware, there are other lighting options that are better suited for the dining table than scented candles. If you're dead set on including candles, opt for unscented varieties like tealights or small candles that are made without any added fragrances which won't overpower your senses when it comes time to sit down and enjoy your meal. Just be sure that the candle holder is an adequate size so that wax doesn't drip on your tablecloth, or worse, your spread of food. You can also find fake LED light candles that flicker to mimic real candlelight for a similar effect. 

You can also try your hand at nature-themed DIY holiday centerpieces and tabletop displays that embody the spirit of the holiday season without overwhelming your guests with powerful scents or intense fragrances. Wreaths, ornamental displays, and other holiday centerpiece DIYs can make your dining table look elegant on a budget. Themed plates, serving dishes, and cutlery with winter patterns are another great way to effortlessly incorporate seasonal spirit in a way that feels natural and not distracting.  As long as you steer clear of scented items like potpourri, candles, or diffusers, the table is an empty canvas ready to be filled with charming festive accents. If you choose to leave scented candles out of your winter wonderland this season, your more sensitive guests will thank you.