The Plaid Holiday Tablecloth

What it is

This is a rectangular tablecloth in a woven plaid pattern, cut for holiday dining. The fabric is 100% polyester in a plain weave with a matte finish. It reads as cloth, not as shine, so it sits quietly under plates, candles and serving dishes. The plaid is the whole design: clean lines, even squares, no print on top of print.

Six colorways are available. Red plaid with tassels and green plaid with tassels carry a tassel trim along the edge. Red plaid, green plaid, blue plaid and brown plaid are the plain-edge options. Red and green lean traditional for Christmas. Blue and brown work if you want a plaid table that carries through winter and beyond.

Sizes

Sizes are listed in centimeters and convert to inches. Measure your table first, then add the drop you want on each side. A short drop of 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) suits everyday meals. A longer drop of 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) suits a holiday table.

If your table falls between two sizes, size up. Extra length is easier to work with than a cloth that will not reach the edge.

Colors and styles

Red plaid with tassels: a traditional Christmas red with a tassel edge. Green plaid: deep green squares with a clean edge. Red plaid: the same red, no tassels. Green plaid with tassels: green with the tassel trim. Blue plaid: a cooler plaid that suits winter tables and New Year settings. Brown plaid: warm and neutral, good for Thanksgiving through the new year.

The tassel trim is only on the two options named for it. The other four have a plain hem. Pick tassels if you want a softer, more decorative edge. Pick plain if you want the cloth to stay out of the way of plates and glassware.

How to use it

Spread the cloth flat and center the plaid on the table. Smooth from the middle outward so the lines stay straight. For a Christmas table, pair red or green plaid with plain white plates and simple glassware. The pattern does the work, so keep the rest of the table quiet. Blue and brown plaid work the same way with cream or off-white dishes.

This cloth suits dining rooms, kitchens, covered porches and holiday buffets. It is reusable, so it can come out for Christmas dinner, again for New Year, and again next year. For a layered look, run a plain runner down the center over the plaid. The pattern stays visible on both sides of the runner.

Care

Machine wash cold. Hang dry. Low iron if needed.