Celebrity Christmas dinners ranked from classy to tacky: From the TOWIE star whose table was a ‘showstopper’ to those who missed the mark with ‘drab’ and ‘chaotic’ feasts

When you think of celebrity Christmas dinners, you might imagine professionally prepared tablescapes, designer cutlery and an elaborate five-course roast dinner.

However, you can’t imagine new Santa napkins, snowflake placemats or Fearne Cotton meticulously assembling the individual components of a festive feast.

That’s why we asked two design experts to forensically analyze the most famous ones. ChristmasCenterpieces are arranged as the season’s feasts, including cutlery and crackers, and decisions are generally made as to who has the best tables.

Some celebs, such as Lizzie Cundy and Geordie Shore graduate Sophie Kasaei, have stuck to the traditional red and green theme but achieved very different results.

Others, such as Amanda Holden and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, were more maximalist in their approach, while the highlight of Stacey Dooley’s simple table was a large bowl of clementines.

Food was clearly Chloe Sims’ focus; gave her followers a sneak peek at what looks like a mouth-watering Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings and extra toppings.

While not all tables passed the test, Ryan Wenham, founder of Liverpool-based Larsen Architecture, declared one table to be “showy”.

Along with Jordana Ashkenazi, Founder and Design Director of Element One House, they pored over all the celebrity Christmas feasts to decide what was classy and what was undeniably vulgar.

Lydia Bright

Lydia Bright’s two-tone green and gold color scheme tied everything together; The former TOWIE star showed off an aesthetically pleasing table while still leaving enough room to eat.

: This is a designer’s Christmas table; Rich greenery, golden accents and layers of detail all tying together, that glowing tree in the background completing the picture. Extravagant, coordinated and completely photo-ready; I’d gladly pull up a chair here every year.

Decision: show stopper

Perrie Edwards

Little Mix star Perrie Edwards opted for a classic table setting, with a pop of color coming from ruby ​​red accessories and yellow plates.

Perrie Edwards also gave her Instagram followers a closer look at the Christmas dinner being served at her home (which included a prawn cocktail starter as well as a traditional festive treat).

Perrie Edwards opted for a simple beige tablecloth, allowing the ruby ​​red accessories, including the tablecloth and crackers, to shine. The yellow color on the plates illuminated the painting without overwhelming it.

: Now that’s what I’m talking about – a plate literally loaded with all the good things, smothered in sauce and backed by a full plate of applesauce right in front of you. The festive little plate and that vintage-style gravy boat feel nostalgic and cozy; You can almost hear family conversations in the background.

Decision: Pure Christmas joy

Sophie Kasaei

Sophie shared a photo of her Christmas dinner menu

The reality TV star also shared photos of her family and friends gathered around a cheerfully decorated table.

A closer look at Ryan’s Christmas dinner, which he says looks absolutely delicious

Sophie Kasaei’s intimate celebrations with friends and family included a huge meal with everything from Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes to cauliflower cheese and turkey.

Jordan: Apparently there are lots of families around so there is clearly an informal, probably temporary table. But considering the effort and the number of people they accommodate, it’s a really nice setup. The table feels warm, festive and inviting and I love the personal touch of having a Christmas Day menu on the table. This detail shows that real thought went into the work and makes it feel considered and special.

Ryan: Absolutely a plate full of all the trimmings and a very generous sauce (we love it!). Flashes of red, green and gold in the background make the atmosphere truly festive, and you can tell that the priority here is to enjoy the food and not fuss about perfect plating.

Decision: Warm/Comforting

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen

Laurence’s table featured a centerpiece meticulously assembled from red berries, poinsettias, and lilies, as well as miniature Christmas trees.

TV designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen created a table that fits his maximalist sensibility perfectly. In a moody video posted on her Instagram page, the Changing Rooms star can be seen lighting red, green and gold candles on a table littered with pieces of ground meat. Festive red berries, poinsettias and lilies, as well as a centerpiece of miniature Christmas trees, scream ‘more is more, darling’.

Jordan: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s Christmas table is exactly what you’d expect; dramatic, indulgent and unapologetically theatrical. Rich reds, bold black-and-cream stripes and towering candles create a luxurious, old-school festive scene that looks more like a curated set than a casual family gathering.

It’s meticulously designed and undeniably striking, but there’s a sense that every napkin and champagne pouring has been placed with the camera entirely in mind, leaving little room for the cozy chaos that often makes Christmas feel warm and personal.

Decision: Rich

Amanda Holden

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden opts for black and gold for this year’s Christmas feast

TV star Amanda Holden turned her Christmas table into a golden spectacle with a glittering swan ornament towering over the centrepiece. Instead of the typical red or green crackers, she opted for black holiday decorations and brought out large ornaments for the Christmas feast.

Jordan: Amanda Holden’s Christmas table skips the traditional red and green tones in favor of a chic, gold-heavy palette; A modern, polished take on festive hosting. The effort here is undeniable: from the tiered space arrangements to the dramatic overhead ornaments, it’s meticulously designed and visually arresting. However, too much gold can feel overwhelming and turn the table from chic to excessive. It’s impressive rather than comfortable, and focused on impact rather than intimacy.

Decision: Overwhelming

Ruth Langsford

British publisher Ruth Langsford chose traditional and classic design elements for her desk

With mistletoe napkins, red accents and a runner that might only be used once a year, Ruth Langsford has put everything you can imagine on a Christmas table. – but was it enough?

Jordan: Ruth Langsford’s Christmas table adheres closely to the festive rule book, with a bold red runner, matching crackers and neatly folded napkins doing most of the heavy lifting. Tidy, traditional and unmistakably Christmassy, ​​but also a little predictable – it’s the kind of table you could recreate straight from a seasonal aisle down the street. There’s nothing wrong with that, but nothing particularly surprising either, it feels more practical than inspiring.

: This is classic Christmas done right – crisp white fabric, red runner, mousse on ice, and lots of small, well-thought-out details like napkin rings and crackers. It feels like a real family table with some thought put into it.

Decision: Predictable/Classic

Lizzie Cundy

Lizzie Cundy had Santa napkins and snowflake placemats on her table

She also shared a closer look at the chocolate-covered pudding served during the meal.

Lizzie Cundy’s snowflake placemats and Santa napkins definitely fit the bill, as the TV star has opted for whimsical accents this festive season.

Jordan: Lizzie Cundy has festive intentions at the Christmas table, but not much can come together beyond a heavy reliance on the color red. There are clear references to Christmas – crackers, candles and seasonal motifs – but the mix of glassware, placemats and ornaments makes the table feel busy rather than cohesive. It’s lively and well-intentioned, but it’s visually cluttered and lacks a clear focal point to make it beautiful.

Decision: chaotic

Fearne Cotton

Fearne Cotton’s Christmas table was rich in food but lacking in thoughtful, festive decor elements

Fearne Cotton’s Christmas feast was impressive; especially considering it was the first time she had prepared a festive feast on her own. However, his table divided our judges; While Jordana thought it wasn’t festive enough, Ryan gave the TV star extra points for what looked like a spectacular meal.

Jordan: Fearne Cotton’s Christmas table is hardly festive. Plates don’t match, serving dishes clash, and there isn’t much sense of color, theme, or event. It looks more like a rushed Sunday roast than Christmas Day. Other than the crackers scattered on the table, there is almost nothing to indicate that it should be festive; no decorations, no ornaments and no real attempt at creating seasonal style. It may be cozy, but it’s also oddly lighthearted for the biggest meal of the year.

: A great first solo Christmas roast; The plates fly out and no one goes hungry. The table is a little bare, but now that the food is sorted, a little more sauce, some tinsel and a few extra candles will turn this into a full festive feast next year.

Decision: Boring/Feel Good

Stacey Dooley

Stacey Dooley photographed her partner Kevin Clifton in a sweet moment with their daughter Minnie over Christmas

This year, Stacey Dooley had no crackers or centerpieces on her table, except for a few candles and a bowl of clementines. But the TV presenter’s post was praised as the photo showed her partner Kevin Clifton warmly hugging their daughter Minnie.

Ryan: Instead of a pile of novelties, a calm, grown-up Christmas table, simple plates, a candle, and a bowl of tangerines. Chic and elegant but warmed up with sweet family moment in the background. If you want to increase the festive atmosphere, a few ornaments or fresh pine branches on the table will achieve this without losing elegance.

Decision: Understated elegance

Chloe Sims

Chloe shared only glimpses of the celebrations at home

Former TOWIE star Chloe Sims shared glimpses of her family’s Christmas celebration on Instagram, including a video of their meal of pigs in a blanket, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing and turkey.

: I literally want to put my face into this. Everything looks delicious. There’s a little sparkle of Christmas detail on the table, but no matter the tablescape, this dinner steals the show! Very good!

Decision: holiday feast