I not an expert, but I think the red looks wonderful! Maybe cream candles all around?

White tablecloth, white candles in the centerpiece, and cranberries in the tall "goblets" with a white tealight nestled in them. Add a long mirror under the whole thing and decorate it with gold and silver ornaments to tie in the chargers and silverware. :o)

For me it would be the green tablecloth and gold candles. Yes the silverware looks fine. Could you find some inexpensive red wine glasses to increase the Xmas look? Whatevery you decide it will look lovely.

I like the red tablecloth (is it plastic though? I can't tell in the picture; if so, I'd definitely get a cloth one).

I'd use gold candles in the centerpiece. The taller candles are pretty but they look very busy on the table. It doesn't look like it will be easy to work around them once people are seated and ready to eat. Silverware is fine.

Good luck and enjoy the holidays! I always get so wrapped up in the details and the best things are always the food and great conversations!

Agree with persnicketydesign. Add some more silver to the arrangement -- ornaments, table confetti, mirror, etc. to tie in with the silverware.

I vote for the green cloth and gold chargers. That color combo is welcoming and appealing to me while still looking elegant. If you could find some 2 toned napkin rings it would tie the silver and gold metals together OR find gold/silver ribbon and make your own napkin tie.

May I suggest you post this on the Holidays Forum? There are some members who are expert at table settings and are very willing to offer helpful suggestions.

I love persnickety's idea of berries in the tall goblets, gold and silver ornaments to tie in the 2 colors and white candles in the centerpiece. I think the berries and added ornaments would give it the zing you're looking for but the white is very elegant. Love the gold chargers with those dishes on the white cloth. Very pretty.

Persnickey is right. Don't get gold-toned flatware unless you're buying antique vermeil.

But why are the spoons on the left and the forks on the right? If you have a soup course, you want spoons on the outside on the right, forks on the left. You can do dessert forks on the top of the plate, but I think it's awkward.

Here is a link that might be useful: Place Setting Guide

Thanks you all for the great ideas. I will be giving it another try this weekend. I'll try and find some red material and pull out my christmas decorations and try out the gold runner I have and the door mirror (kinda beat up though)and repost.

Holiday thread? I never saw it. (hits forhead) lol

Maybe I will ask them to pop over here I don't want to break any rules by posting this thread all over the boards.

Thanks again everyone I love all the ideas!

About the placement of the silverware. I wasn't paying attention to where I was placing them I just wanted it on the table for the photos but thanks for all the links. :)

You need a cream color tablecloth, which will work with the warm gold tones as well as the color of the china.

If you plan to use the tall candlesticks, then be sure the centerpieces don't have candles in them, too. Overkill, and then neither one looks nice. Get your centerpieces in done with some white lillies or amaryllis in them, and some silver and gold ornaments,to brighten them up a bit.

Use one each of a red, green and white candle in the sets of tall candlesticks. Get some narrower wired ribbon to twist loosely on the stems of the candlesticks, starting at a bow at the top of each stem, to pick up on the twisting ribbon design on the plates.

But I have to ask - if you are adding another 4 place settings, where will you put the two sets of candlesticks so that they are evenly spaced on the table?