During the winter holidays, you will likely spend a lot of time around the dinner table. Use that space as a cozy gathering spot that's welcoming for family members and guests.

Christmas is "the perfect time to go all out," says Stacy Lewis, owner and interior designer at Eternity Modern, an e-commerce store specializing in midcentury modern furniture and decor.

She has a strategy of "the merrier, the better" and loves decorating every doorway and railing.

*Color Your World

"Holiday decorating is a fun time to switch up the look of your home and get it to match the season or festivities," says Jen Stark, founder of HappyDIYHome.com, a gardening and home improvement blog.

Stark advises having a specific color scheme for each room. "No matter what your theme is for this holiday season, keep the color scheme consistent," she says. "Each room should have a main theme that everything ties in instead of having a hodgepodge mix of dozens of colors."

That means creating a cohesive look for your dining area, such as white and silver or red or green with patterned accents.

Lewis suggests going monochromatic, especially if you like to keep things simple.

"It's minimalist but also very sophisticated," she says, noting white, gold, silver and earth colors make for great monochromatic looks.

*Center of Attention

While a living room or a family room may be the central Christmas spot, Stark suggests spreading out holiday decor in smaller pieces throughout your home. For example, consider adding festive centerpieces on the tables or holiday table runners.

Lauren Levy, who runs a parenting website, AdensMom.com suggests buying glass trees of different heights and colors. She's bought several glass trees at retailers Target and Ross.

"Arrange them in a cluster as a table centerpiece," she says. "Place fake snow underneath to tie it all together. I really like the kind that has iridescent specks that glimmer in the light."

Levy also recommends creating "a happy winter scene" by setting up a snowy village as a centerpiece. Start with a few miniature houses and then add some fake snow underneath the houses. Finish the scene with a glistening decorative tree, mini deer and other seasonal accents.

*DIY Decorations

While you can buy pre-made centerpieces, you can easily DIY centerpieces too. Consider adding pine cones, candles, tinsel, faux berries, pine and greenery to your table. For an easy and colorful addition to your table, add a bowl of Christmas candies or a vase or cup filled with candy canes. Even a bowl of glass Christmas ornaments can be colorful and add interest to the table.

Add coordinating charger plates and festive napkins to bring the whole look together. You can make your own place cards too. Print a template online or buy pre-made cards at a hobby store, then use your best penmanship to write guest names or print a fancy font onto the card or a clear sticker. Look for seasonal tablescape ideas on Etsy, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok.

Get the kids involved for family events. They can help set the table, including folding napkins, placing plates and utensils and placing place cards.

*Raise a Glass

Say cheers to the holiday by showing off your bar cart, as an accent in your dining area. Lewis says a functional bar cart is a festive and interactive holiday decor.

Decorate the cart with accent pieces like a vase of dried flowers or copper cocktail shakers and some seasonal garland. Include holiday-themed glasses and cocktail mixers so guests can DIY their drinks and toast the season. Use coordinating decorations to make both the dinner table and the bar cart stand out for your celebration.

Mix and match decor as you see fit and remember to have fun and embrace the togetherness of the season.