In December the sideboard does a lot of work: extra plates, the dessert, the candles that didn’t fit on the table. Decorating it is mostly about planning for that, so there’s still room to set a dish down.

A sideboard is low and long, so it needs some height. The wall above it does half the job.

The base

A garland along the top. A faux garland (on Amazon) the length of the sideboard, hanging 4 to 6 inches over each end. Everything else sits in it. Faux rather than fresh, because fresh garland drops needles into the food. Fluff every branch out before you start; a thin garland makes everything on it look thin.

Fabric underneath. A linen (on Amazon) or velvet runner (deep green, cranberry or champagne) under the garland, hanging 6 to 8 inches over the ends. It protects the wood from wax and water rings. If you love the wood, use two small pieces of fabric just under the candles instead.

Height and light

Three candles at one end. A tall taper, a medium pillar and a low votive, grouped closely. Dripless candles are worth it on a surface near food. If people walk past it a lot, use LED.

Tall branches at the back corners. Two heavy vases with bare winter branches, curly willow or faux berry stems add two or three feet of height for very little money. Branches from the yard are free. Keep them at the back so nobody gets one in the face reaching for a plate.

The wall above

A wreath (on Amazon). About two-thirds the width of the sideboard, so 24 to 28 inches for most. Hang it from a ribbon over a picture hook you already have, and choose greenery that matches the garland below.

Or a mirror. Lean a mirror, 20 by 30 inches or bigger, against the wall behind the candles. Three candles look like nine. Angle it so it reflects the candles, not the ceiling, and dust it before guests arrive.

Or swap the art. Put a Christmas print in the frame that’s already there for the month. Keep the original flat somewhere you’ll remember.

Making room for food

Cake stands at different heights. Two or three stands (on Amazon) lift desserts up and leave space underneath for plates and napkins. No stands? Wrap a couple of hardcover books in kraft paper and set a platter on them.

A drink station at one end. A tray with mugs, cocoa mix, marshmallows and candy canes, or a decanter and glasses. The tray keeps it contained and lets you lift the whole thing off when you need the space.

The finishing touches

The good dishes. If you have china or crystal that only comes out once a year, stack a few plates, stand a platter against the wall and group some glasses. Keep it behind the front edge of the garland, away from elbows.

A bowl of natural things. Pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and a few faux cranberries in a wide low bowl. It fills the gap between the tall branches and the low candles.

Small trees at the other end. Three bottle-brush trees (on Amazon) at around 6, 10 and 14 inches, opposite the candles, tucked into the garland so their bases disappear.

In January, the garland coils into a bag, the candles go back in their boxes and the small things share one tote with the table decorations.