Hosting one or two festive celebrations is undoubtedly the best way to bring family and friends together at Christmas, but there’s no denying it can be stressful. Whether you’re a dab hand in the kitchen or prefer to call your local pizza delivery service, the menu is easy enough to sort, as are the drinks (after all, everyone likes a cocktail).
The decorations, however, can present a problem. Do you use your everyday crockery and risk the evening looking a little on the drab side? Or do you buy stacks of themed plates, cutlery and glassware, only to pack them away for another year come 1 January?
If neither option seems appealing, allow us to introduce you to the concept of a rented tablescape: a curated selection of tableware pieces that you’ll use for an evening, before sending back. That way, you’ll get an Instagram-worthy set-up for a fraction of the cost. Genius, no? These are our favourite brands to call on this Christmas.
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Maison Margaux
Bubbled, amber tumblers, wooden serving bowls and bamboo cutlery are just some of the products offered by this luxury British brand, which has completely curated tablescape collections available to hire – perfect if you don’t want to go to the trouble of picking your own theme. It’s the ideal choice if you like to try before you buy, as Maison Margaux sells, as well as rents, it’s peerless product selection. From £500, maisonmargauxltd.com
Cushte
The three sisters who founded Cushte pride themselves on their fashion-focused tablescapes, so it’s no surprise they’ve worked with brands including Sky and 14 Hills on events that put presentation front and centre. This is the option for you if you want as little hassle as possible: just tell them the colours ans styles you like and they’ll put together a scheme to suit you, before setting up your table on the day. What’s more, they’ll come back and pack the whole thing up when you’re done. From £120, cushte.com
The Clicc
This Shoreditch-based brand was founded by an ex-lawyer and ex-jewellery designer duo, so you can be sure they’ll deliver on both style and logistics. The Clicc offers the best of both worlds in terms of tablescaping: ready-made designs that you can simply click and rent, plus a bespoke service if you’re looking for something more personal. You’ll get a set-up guide with your order (so no nasty surprises) and everything will be collected the next day, meaning minimal fuss on your part. From £100, theclicc.com
