Christmas, 2014

I wanted to change up my Christmas table a bit this year.  I have one set of Christmas dishes that I use every year and my table pretty much looks the same each Christmas, so I decided to try something different.  Here's how the table turned out:

Here's How It Was Created:

I started with my usual red Waterford tablecloth.  But then I added a new-to-me lace tablecloth I found while antiquing in Bakersfield, CA.   Once we put in all four leaves of the table I have to use a banquet size cloth, but eventhough this new lace cloth is slightly small, I felt it worked well as an overlay. I love the lace pattern in this cloth!

I started my place setting with my usual "gold" chargers from Big Lots, purchased many years ago!  It's almost time to do some replacing since a couple of them were cracked when I took them out of storage (good thing my guest list was a bit smaller this year!)

Then I added my beloved Christmas plate. I love this set, although I admit I've seen other patterns over the years that have attracted my attention.  Since I only use these plates for Christmas dinner, I really feel a replacement is not needed. And, besides, when I revisit them each year, it's like welcoming an old friend to our holiday meal!

Normally, I would use the red napkins that match my red tablecloth, but since tartan plaid was such an item this year, I found new napkins while in HomeGoods and decided to get them. This meant I had to also change my napkin rings, since my usual napkin rings are tartan plaid already (just a slightly different coloration) and wouldn't have worked together. So, off to Bed, Bath and Beyond I went to find some gold napkin rings!

My place setting was completed with my late mother-in-law's silverplate and my Mikasa glasses I bought many years ago when the Mikasa Outlet was still open in town (how sorely I miss that store!) I would love to have gold flatware for this occasion, but the set I have on loan from my cousin has only six place settings and wouldn't have worked this time.

The inspiration for my centerpiece began when my beloved nephew and niece sent me an extraordinary floral arrangement this year for Christmas. It is a Lenox Santa Claus figurine surrounded by a boxwood wreath! I actually gasped when I opened the box! I knew it would be the center of my Christmas table and I surrounded it with new red candle holders I found at Michael's and my very special lead crystal candlesticks I use on my dining room table.  I had one Christmas runner that didn't complement the elements very well, so I searched the house and found that the runner I had on my sideboard worked much better because of the tartan plaid border, so that helped complete the look I wanted and didn't detract from the beautiful floral arrangement. Here it is:

Isn't he a precious Santa? He is going to be a cherished heirloom in my holiday decor and will be a part of all my Christmases. Thank you, Patty and Chris, from the bottom of my heart.

This year I took pictures of the "Kids' Table" as well.  I had to share the focal point of this table, because it, too, was a unique surprise gift I hadn't expected for the season.  My cousin's sister-in-law, Deb, from Massachusetts had crocheted a gingerbread house that I had admired and lo and behold a couple of weeks ago, a package arrived with the same gingerbread house!!  Deb had heard how much I loved the house and actually made one for me, as well! Can you imagine my surprise at such a thoughtful gesture? Thank you, Deb, for your efforts, creativity and kind spirit.  Here is the "Kids' Table":

Can you believe the intricacy of that gingerbread house? It is something I will always treasure.

I used my smaller Johnson Bros. plates for the kids:

And that was my Christmas, 2014 table. I hope everyone's holiday turned out well!

I'll be linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net. and
Christine's Table It! at www.rustic-refined.com . Please stop by and see all the lovely tables from Christmas!