‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the house, we’re putting up tinsel, ignoring the spouse. ‘It’s never too early!’ we cry, covering our ears. ‘Besides, these side plates have the cutest reindeers!’

Defeating the Grinch in your life this Christmas just got even easier, as Williams Sonoma has dropped its (seriously) festive new ranges.

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From cute and kitschy velvet Christmas stockings, embroidered with nutcrackers and dancers; elegant, hand-finished embossed earthenware; Jan Jameson-esque reindeer tablecloths; and, of course, mugs shaped like the bad banana himself, the Grinch.

Mix-and-match salad plates, gilt wine glasses and table runners dotted with pine and holly berries will suit the traditionalists out there, but if you’re a Seuss stan you can slip into a Cindy Lou Who apron complete with a scalloped collar and pretty pink bow.

Less into baking and more into snacking? We’ve got you. Vintage-inspired boxes of chocolate peppermint bark, stackable hot chocolate powders, and adorable mini snowflake marshmallows have all joined the festive range, and fragrant truffle salt brings a touch of savoury excess to the season.

If you can’t justify stuffing your groaning cupboards with yet more festive flatware, might we suggest sending some Christmas cheer to your friends and family? When you order online, there’s the option to gift wrap your purchases for just $6.95, two birds (three French hens, four calling birds, five golden rings) with one stone!

The entire Williams Sonoma Christmas range is on sale now. Do with this information what you will. 

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How to set a table

To some, setting a table properly may seem outdated or even twee. Sure, the food will taste the same whether your fork is in your left or your right hand but for special occasions (or even just a mid-week dinner) setting the table properly acts as a sign of respect to your guests, your family, and yourself. Preparing Christmas lunch can take hours, if not days, of preparation so do something nice for the cooks and create a table as beautiful as the feast.

In its most basic form, you’ll only need a plate in the centre, a fork to the left, a knife to the right and a napkin either on the plate or under the fork. Get the kids to do this part.

For something special, choose some decorations like fresh flowers, bundles of herbs in jars, and some baubles. Name cards are a nice touch if you’re hosting folks who haven’t met (or you need to keep your bestie away from your politically dicey uncle).

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