The dinner table is always the center of attraction during family gatherings especially on grand occasions like Christmas. With this in mind, impress your loved ones with a table setting that will make them stay on the table, not just for food, but also for the stunning setting you made. See how a beautiful table can set the tone for a lovelier holiday home.

Below are tips from the experts…

Interior Designer Eric Paras Event: Le Fuvoir (la-fu-vwah) Party a.k.a. Noche Buena Leftover Party Ideal for: Post-Christmas gatherings with friends Ambiance: Upscale but casual The Details: Go for furniture with crisp and clean crisp lines or a mix of classic wood and oxidized metal, bronze and old gold On the table: Braised pata from lechon leftover Designer’s tip: “Play with a mix of modern and traditional designs.”

Interior Designer Leo Almeria Event: Vegetarian Noche Buena Ideal for: Nostalgic health-buffs Ambiance: Modern Farmhouse with Zen-feel Appeal The Details: Eclectic but locally-inspired furnishing such as antique finish plantation chairs, polished woodstone belen, earth stone wares, seashell placemats, hand-embroidered linen napkins, crystal candleholders On the table: Green salad, adobo, or any local delicacy for dessert (in Leo’s case, binagol) Designer’s tip: “Just make use of what you have. If you don’t think you’re creative, play with just one color in different shades to achieve a Zen ‘feel’--the more offbeat the shade, the better. Or use traditional colors but play with finishes, like mix matte and shiny.”

Chef Ed Quimson Event: Big Family Noche Buena Ideal for: Reunions or big gatherings Ambiance: Festooned excessively The Details: Food is King at Christmastide. Need we say more? On the table: A must-have: lechon! Then don’t forget the family’s faves like turkey, homemade ham, paella, seafood salad, fruitcake, La Esquina’s San Marco Chef’s tip: “For lechon, I never eat anything that’s over five kilos (3 ½- 4 kilos, max) because the animal at that stage still has no fat in it, just skin. You get all the fat once it goes over five kilos.”

Art curator Albert Avellana Event: Old Style Noche Buena Ideal for: Families who love to keep traditions Ambiance: Screaming Christmas The Details: Everything in red and green. Accentuate with poinsettia plants and a Christmas tree On the table: Family’s Noche Buena staples, like jamon—which they pair with the family’s traditional cheese spread—potato salad, chicken galantina, tsokolate-e (thick hot chocolate) and vanilla ice cream topped with thick chocolate Designer’s tip: “You don’t have to go overboard with your spread. To achieve a basic, minimal look that still works, simply play with colors.”

For full story on this, grab a copy of the Holiday Issue of Appetite and look for the article titled “Spread the Joy”