Laying the table has never been so fetishised, so much so that there’s now an official term for it: ‘tablescaping.’ Whatever you want to call it, it’s great fun to create a festive table at this time of year. Here’s how:

Best for traditional Christmas: Alice Naylor-Leyland’s curated tablescapes 

Alice Naylor-Leyland has long posted pictures of perfect table settings on her instagram account @mrsalice. Now you can recreate the look at home thanks to her readymade kits that you can buy online. Choose from the Winter Woodland tablescape in minty greens and silver or our favourite, the Jolly Nutcracker in red and white. Each kit costs £280 and contains nutcrackers, glittery reindeer, scalloped napkins, velvet bows, green candlesticks and more. In addition to the tablescapes you can shop individual elements like bamboo cutlery and gold crackers. Be quick if you want to order the Jolly Nutcracker set – the first batch sold out fast, but will be re-stocked to ship again from 27 November. alicenaylorleyland.com

Best for Flowers: Travelling Tablescapes from Kitten Grayson

For anyone tight on time and low on energy, Kitten Grayson’s new ‘travelling tablescapes’ will appeal. Each one consists of five small floral arrangements and three tapered candles to compliment them to run along your table. Choose either fresh flowers – in classic reds and golds or dried flowers in a playful palette of burnt oranges and pink. Flowers arrive arranged in bud vases ready to go directly onto the table, so all you need to do is light the candles. £230 for fresh and £330 dried, delivery priced on request. If you have a longer table you can up the numbers of bud vases and candles as you like. kittengrayson.com

Best for Children: Meri Meri 

Meri Meri may not do readymade tablescape kits but they have all the elements to create a wonderful table setting if you have small children. There are so many lovely crackers to choose from – we love the angels, the reindeer and the nutcracker set or how about the sausage dogs for dauschund households? Then add candy cane paper napkins, sparkly plates and cups and mini elf party hats. merimeri.co.uk

Best for adding to your collection: Cutter Brooks

We’re mad on Cutter Brooks tablescapes, but the lovely thing about their Christmas selection is that it’s not strictly Christmassy, but just gives a wintery feel. For example, these lovely paper hellebores (handmade by Livia Cetti) would be welcome to stay out well past December into January and February too. From £45 at cutterbrooks.com

Best for DIY: Petersham Nurseries 

Petersham’s wreath workshops are always so popular, but how about learning how to make a table centrepiece instead this year? Join a masterclass on 21 December and learn how to use fresh flowers and festive foliage to create a garland that can run along your table over the Christmas period. Just add candles and you’re done. 21 December 6-8.30pm in Covent Garden, £110 at petershamnurseries.com