11 Winter Tabletop Essentials for All Your Cold-Weather Parties

Winter party décor goes far beyond red-and-green color palettes and poinsettia-centric centerpieces. Long after the holidays have passed, your seasonal entertaining arsenal can and should incorporate subtle, elegant nods to the ongoing winter season. From serving utensils modeled after leaves and twigs to salad plates that evoke stars in the cold night sky, tabletop essentials inspired by winter's natural beauty will elevate any dinner you host.

If you choose the right pieces—elegant, but not too fussy—you can use them across all kinds of gatherings, from formal family events (think: Christmas dinner) and milestone birthdays to a casual Thursday meal with friends. That's where we come in. To help you curate seasonal tabletop entertaining essentials you will turn to year after year, our editors went ahead and rounded up several of our favorite wintry accessories on the market. From unique wine goblets that you can use for your go-to winter red or to serve up seasonal cocktails and textured, on-palette table runners to gleaming flatware (gold feels so fresh during this season!) and a winter floral tea serving set (blooms absolutely can work in cold weather), there's something for every winter soirée on this list.

Whether you add our picks to cart or use them to inspire your own shopping list, be mindful of their overarching motifs—look to seasonal colorways, like nutmeg, pale blue, and cream, as you build your own roster of tabletop accessories. Working within a scheme that is winter-friendly—not holiday-centric—will allow you to use each piece throughout the entirety of the season.  

Composed of stainless steel coated with a shiny gold finish, this flatware set adds some seasonal shine to every table you set.

Shop Now: JANKNG 24-Piece Flatware Set in Gold, $29.99, amazon.com.

With their shining gold rims, these textured wine glasses, crafted from hand-blown glass, will bring opalescent sparkle to your wintertime tablescape.

Shop Now: Anthropologie Lustered Wine Glasses, $56 for four, anthropologie.com.

Florals feel festive for winter thanks to their crimson colorways. Luckily, these pieces work before, during, and after the holiday season.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Floral Eight-Piece Teacup and Saucer Set, $140, macys.com.

Charming forest-inspired illustrations define each plate. Use them to serve appetizers or dessert and put some of the sweetest winter motifs on display.

Shop Now: Juliska Forest Walk Tidbit Plates, $98 for four, bloomingdales.com.

If you entertain regularly during this season, personalize this porcelain dinner set complete with plates, bowls, and teacups from Pickard. Monograms are printed in sparkling gold or platinum on pieces with a snow-white finish.

Shop Now: Pickard Signature Monogram Dinnerware Collection, from $28, williams-sonoma.com.

Featuring a deep auburn hue inspired by one of our favorite seasonal spices, this handmade napkin is an essential accent piece for cold-weather parties.

Shop Now: Houses & Parties Nutmeg Fringed Dinner Napkin, $78, housesandparties.com.

This elegant, intricate two-toned design—modeled after leaves and twigs you find on the ground during winter long strolls—will turn your serving utensils into conversation starters.

Shop Now: Godinger Leaf Design Two-Tone Salad Set, $70, macys.com.

Let this tablecloth's light blue cotton fabric and dainty white floral print drive your winter event's color scheme.

Shop Now: Williams Sonoma Vintage Floral Jacquard Tablecloth in Burgundy, from $139.95, williams-sonoma.com.

With colorful bases and textured goblets, these wine glasses beautifully hold seasonal beverages while elevating your gathering.

Shop Now: Zara Home Raised Design Wine Glass, $6.90, zara.com.

This textured table runner is a delightful accent piece for any gathering, whether it's a formal dinner or a casual get-together. The cool shade of blue will perfectly complement any flatware finish.

Shop Now: Red Barrel Studio Blue Aricin Geometric Table Runner, $17.99, wayfair.com.

Bring the deep-blue evening winter sky to your tabletop with this stunning ceramic plate, complete with sparkling metallic specks that mimic stars.

Shop Now: Crate & Barrel Starry Night Salad Plate, $3.97, crateandbarrel.com.