The best Christmas napkins for a festive tablescape

'Tablescaping' is all the rage right now, and Christmas is the perfect time to make a particularly special effort to dress your table. Along with a Christmas tablecloth and eye-catching centrepiece, napkins are the great way to set a jolly mood at your Christmas dining table.

We’ve picked a range of beautiful napkins, from luxury embroidered sets to budget-friendly paper napkins, as well as eco-friendly washable fabric napkins, from high street names including M&S, Dunelm, Etsy and more. Read on to find your perfect match:

The best Christmas napkins to buy in the UK

Ragged Rose Natalie Napkins

• Buy now from Amazon (£16)

Looking to create a cosy Scandinavian Christmas theme in your home this year? Look no further than this set of cotton napkins from Ragged Rose, available at Amazon. These cheery red and white cloths are decorated with reindeer and Christmas trees in a cut-out style inspired by Nordic folk art. Each set contains four machine washable 40 x 40cm napkins, bound with natural-look tape. Why not opt for the inverse white/red version of the design? Or to amp up the look even further, pair with the matching tablecloth.

Navy Starlets Napkins

• Buy now from Dunelm (£8 for four)

Blue might not be the first colour that comes to mind when you think of Christmas, but these dreamy navy Christmas napkins are proof that it can be absolutely magical. This set of four comes from Dunelm's conscious choice range and are made of 100% responsibly-sourced cotton, making them an ethical option, too.

Christmas Joy Spruce paper napkins

• Buy now from Emma Bridgewater (£3.95)

There's no mistaking the festive spirit of these paper napkins by Emma Bridgewater - emblazoned with a jolly robin red breast on a background of atmospheric spruce green scattered with stars.

Plus, at just £3.95 for a pack of 20, it's a budget-friendly way to bring Emma Bridgewater's iconic look to your table.

And don't miss our round-up of the best items in Emma Bridgewater's Christmas 2022 range

Sophie Allport Highland Stag napkins

• Buy now from Amazon (£21.50 for four)

Sophie Allport is one of our favourite destinations for cute but classy homeware, and this set of four Christmas napkins is a great example of what makes the brand so appealing. The pretty reindeer illustrations sit against a backdrop of on-trend slate teal, with detailed edging for a sophisticated finish. Made of 100% cotton, these napkins are machine washable at 30C, but not suitable for tumble drying. And if you love the look, why not pair with the matching table runner for a complete tablescape.

White embroidered cloth napkins

• Buy now from Etsy (from £13.20)

These beautiful pure linen napkins by Etsy maker HimmelbergHome are embroidered with a fabulous detailed illustration of a traditional Christmas tree, decorated in classic style and surrounded by gifts.

They might be a little bit more expensive than what you could find on the high street, but we think the enjoyment you'll get out of them for years to come is more than worth it.

Blush & Glitter Napkins

• Buy now from Cox & Cox (£9.50)

Nothing says Christmas like a bit of sparkle - and that's exactly what you'll get with Cox & Cox's Blush and Glitter napkins, made of powder pink three-ply paper with a magical scattering of shiny gold stars. Pair with luxurious gold or rose gold cutlery, and opt for a candle centrepiece to bring out that festive sparkle. Get more gold decoration ideas here.

Christmas Tree Napkins

For elegantly pared-back Scandi Christmas vibes, look no further than these cotton-linen blend napkins from M&S, decorated with a simple embroidered pine tree design in the corner. With their natural colour and texture, they're just the job for adding a rustic touch to your Christmas table. Machine wash up to 40C, tumble dry and iron on medium.

Christmas Celebrations Fabric Napkins

• Buy now from Emma Bridgewater (£22 for set of two)

If you're looking for fabric Christmas napkins that can brighten up your table year after year, this set of two 100% cotton napkins from Emma Bridgewater could be the answer. Printed with a cute Christmas celebrations design, they are machine washable on a 30 degree gentle cycle, so you'll be able to reuse them for many Christmasses to come.

Robin Napkin Gift Set

• Buy now from Not On The High Street (from £45 for six)

These handmade cotton napkins are more than a table accessory - we think the intricate screen-printed robin illustration makes them a work of art, too. This set is sure to be admired when your guests sit down to dinner, and comes in a lovely box for gifting to a loved one or simply for easy storage.