Christmas Plates

Choosing a Christmas plate size, from 12.5cm to 30.5cm

Our Christmas plates run from 12.5cm to 30.5cm in diameter and from 1.5cm to 4cm high. The smallest suit a mince pie or a slice of Christmas cake, while the largest give room for turkey, roast potatoes and the trimmings. Some are side plates, ready for bread, a starter or pudding. A 30.5cm plate needs more room in the cupboard and at the table than a side plate, so check the measurements on the product page before you buy. Dispatch estimates are shown on each product page.

Buying Christmas plates singly, in pairs or in sets of four

You can buy our Christmas plates singly, in pairs or in sets of four. A single plate is the easy way to add a place for an extra guest, or to fill the gap left by a dropped one; pairs suit a couple or a small household; a set of four covers a family table in one go. Because sets and singles can be combined, you can buy to the size of your table. If you are hosting a crowd, mixing designs keeps the table lively and makes it easy to add places.

What is ceramic, and why it suits Christmas plates

Every plate in the range is ceramic. Ceramic is the family name for pieces shaped while soft and then fired in a kiln until they set hard, and it has long been the traditional material for plates because a fired surface takes colour and decoration so well. Every plate in the range is also food safe, so the plates are there to eat from, not only to admire. Like any ceramic, a plate can chip if it is knocked against a tap or a hard worktop, so a little care at the sink keeps the edges in good order.

How our Christmas plates are decorated

Many of our Christmas plates pair a transfer, a ready-made design laid onto the surface, with details painted by hand. Others are hand-painted, and some carry a glazed finish. Many are multicoloured, bringing several festive shades to one plate, which makes them easy to mix. Where details are painted by hand, the brushwork can vary a little from one plate to the next, so two plates of the same design may show small differences in line and tone. We see that as part of the charm of a plate finished with a brush rather than by machine alone.

Washing, warming and storing your Christmas plates

Many of our Christmas plates are dishwasher safe and many are microwave safe; the care rows on each product page say which. A few are not dishwasher safe, and those are best washed by hand in warm soapy water. Many are oven safe too, so they can be warmed in a low oven while the turkey rests; some are not, and the care rows on each product page say which.

Whatever the care rows say, skip abrasive scourers and harsh powders on decorated surfaces, as they can dull a design over time. When the festive meals are over, dry the plates thoroughly and store them in a dry cupboard with something soft between them, ready for next December.

Laying a table with mixed Christmas plates

Because every plate in the range is ceramic and made for Christmas, different designs sit comfortably together. Try layering a side plate on a larger plate, or give guests different designs and keep to one size so the table still reads as a whole. A pair in a contrasting design at either end frames the table without fuss. For the rest of the festive table, look to our Christmas tableware range.