As many of us open our doors to share holiday meals or yearend glasses of bubbly, we yearn to dazzle guests with elegant decor -- as long as it doesn't require a great deal of fuss. But even for the time-strapped, a refreshingly beautiful table can be achieved without relying on the usual evergreen boughs, wooden dreidels, and New Year's confetti. 

Instead, these settings borrow candy canes' iconic red stripes, put a metallic spin on nature, and pay homage to seasonal citrus. Best of all, each tableau can be created in as little time as it takes to chill a bottle of Champagne. That's reason enough to say "Cheers."

Christmas
Peppermint sticks stacked like Yule logs and fastened with twine become a vehicle for a place card and the inspiration for this color scheme. Ribbons in varied red-stripe patterns dress up pillar candles, while crepe-paper bells add a festive jingle to everyone's place.
Get the Crepe-Paper Bells How-To

Hanukkah
Celebrate the festival of lights with this manzanita-branch menorah, sprayed shimmering silver and trimmed with candles. In keeping with holiday tradition, a small gift awaits each guest. But what's inside each box topped with a ribbon star is not the only surprise: Hidden within the napkin folds is chocolate gelt.
Get the Candlelit Branch and Ribbon Star of David How-To

New Year's Eve
A brightly hued citrus centerpiece, piled high with velvet leaves and silver balls, brings sophisticated cheer to an evening of Champagne toasts. The faux lemons covered with glitter are for display only, but lemon-drop candies, arranged in personalized baskets atop each plate, encourage a sweet start to the coming year.
Get the Glittered Faux Lemons and Velvet Leaves How-To