Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tablescapes of Christmas Past

Wow! Between working and all the extra Christmas activities at church and with family ......well I can hardly find the time to set the table! This year I've already shared a children's table and one with my holly dishes I've had for years....so lets have a look at the tables I've set the last couple of years since I started blogging.


This was my very first Christmas tablescape in 2009.


In fact, I believe it was a "Christmas in July" party and of course, I pulled out my favorite holly dishes and antique stems that were from Mr. Mid-Atlantic's grandmother. Bless her heart, she lived to celebrate Christmas 100 times!


My first Christmas dishes and tablecloth.


My church in the snow came from Garden Ridge ages ago.



One last peek before we move on to.....


....a Christmas luncheon setting.



Bunnies aren't just for Easter you know. My snow bunnies are all dressed up with their plaid bows and posing by their little Christmas tree.....



....enjoying the Christmas glow.



How about a romantic Christmas dinner for two?



A silver tray filled with candles, frosted greenery, antique ornaments, and a cute little angel.



The same holly dishes I've set on many a Christmas table. Silverware in sheer bags from the craft store set on top of antique lace trimmed napkins.



All mixed in with ruby goblets and bowls. A very romantic Christmas eve dinner.....wouldn't you agree?



A fun table set with my four grandgirls in mind.



Santa is just opening his sack so he can fill their.....



....Christmas buckets!



A cheerful and bright setting just for four little giggling girls (and Santa of course!)



On to a Victorian Christmas table.



A centerpiece of bottle brush trees and Victorian children.



These are my other Christmas dishes. I love transferware and they jumped in my cart a couple of years ago when I was at Marshall's.



The cups and saucers are from a different transferware pattern....but they all blend together quite nicely.



Or....How about a trip to Williamsburg for Christmas?



My Williamsburg inspired fruited centerpiece. Greenery and fruits....some real and some faux.


Pewter accents of soup tureens and mugs add to the Colonial tavern look.



My Colonial children decorating my "china"....this is actually a paper plate underneath a clear glass plate. A very thrifty way to add to your Christmas china.



I think the Spode Christmas china was the first Christmas china pattern that I ever saw in a store and lingered with longing (and an empty wallet).



A simple Santa centerpiece.



These fun napkins came from Tuesday morning last year....I saw them there this year as well.



It was fun to set my table last year with that Spode pattern I fell in love with years ago....even if it was paper plates under glass again!



What could be more Christmasy than holly (my mother made these napkins for me years ago) and nutcrackers?



One of my Santa mugs.



Nutcracker centerpiece.



An overview of a table filled with traditional reds and greens.



And here we are at our last table of Christmas past.



I did finally get my Christmas tree china (not the Spode, but I do adore these) and after last year, I added salad plates in the same pattern.



Centerpiece....


....one final lingering look at Christmas tables from the past.

I hope that you've enjoyed this tabletop tour. I was so pleased when one of my co-workers came to me last week and said that I had inspired her to set a special Christmas table this year after visiting my blog! She has a two year old daughter and said that she wants to start a memorable tradition for her. What a dear compliment that was and I made her promise to take lots of pictures. My twin grands are coming over for lunch Friday and after lunch we'll bake cookies for them to take home and a couple of "special" ones for Santa. Making memories.....one tablesetting at a time! I'm joining Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch"

See ya!

30 comments:

  1. They are all beautiful...my favorite...the transferware, of course, but the luncheon table with the tartan ribboned bunnies is a close second.
    A very Merry Christmas to you and yours, Martha!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How fun to see all these tables in one post! I enjoyed seeing the pineapple centerpiece idea that I copied after seeing yours last year. Still love that look! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow sweetie, you are defiantly the most talented gal with the dishes I've ever seen. You are an inspiration.

    They are all fantastic!!!

    Have fun with your friends and family.

    Merry Christmas sweetie!!! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This was a fabulous tour.. I am so glad you pulled it all together for us. Each table is so unique! Pretty new Christmas dishes you have, they are soo soo pretty.. xo and Merry Christmas.. marlis

    ReplyDelete
  5. Whoa.....when I saw that pineapple, the VERY first thing I thought was "Colonial Williamsburg"!!! You captured the feel very well! This is neat to take a walk down memory lane. I've only been acquainted with you for a little over a year now, and it's fun to look back on where you started and how you have progressed. The flatware in the organza bag is a really neat idea! You have created some really fab tables for Christmases past. I hope you enjoy THIS Christmas more than ever! Merry Christmas, dear Martha!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Each and every Christmas table is beautiful, Martha. I love them all but my very favorite is the one with a church. It looks like a winter wonderland. Merry Christmas to you all!...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  7. So many beautiful settings...love the grandmothers dishes so pretty and I love the placesetting in the small bags...clever...I have to go back and look again....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing some of your past posts that I missed. I too love transferware and I understand how they would hop in your basket! My favorite are the pewter soup pots. I'm imagining them filled with something delightful! Beautiful briar roses on the side of your blog. Inspiring. Merry Christmas. ~CJ

    ReplyDelete
  9. Martha, I love all of your tables. The centerpieces are so pretty and really tie everything together. Wishing you a very blessed Christams.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the memories...you always set the sweeties and coziest tables! You have been a pure joy all year long. Thank you, Martha. :)
    You are always inspiring!
    Mona

    ReplyDelete
  11. Since I am new at this tablescaping thing, I love to see past posts! What a fabulous variety of lovely tables! My two favorites (I couldn't get it down to one!) are the romantic table for two and the Victorian Christmas. BOTH are so beautiful!

    Merry Christmas, Martha!

    Elaine
    Creating Wonderful Spaces

    ReplyDelete
  12. OK Martha. Everyone one of these are simply put.... GORGEOUS. I want to come and sit at every one of them. You do an amazing job with all of your tables. How lucky are those who get to enjoy them. I am jealous. Hey you know I got those green christmas tree plates with the red borders at Home Goods this year. But darn they only had three. I still love them though and hope to get to use them somehow. Its fun to blog with all you wonderful creative gals. Am so glad to be a part of it all.Have a very Merry Christmas Martha. From my table to yours.

    Nann

    ReplyDelete
  13. So many inspirational moments here. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  14. All of these Christmas tables are so pretty! I couldn't choose which is my favorite! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Isn't it fun when you inspire someone? I have inspired my friends to start going on shopping sprees or should we say treasure hunts to Home Goods!

    This was so fun. You have created so many wonderful tables and it was fun to see them all together. I love all of your plates and you have used them so creatively for different settings. You have inspired me! I love the flatware in the gift bag! I am going to have to remember that. I also loved Santa taking things out of his bags for theirs. Your Christmas tree plates are wonderful, but so are your holly ones. I just love it when things just jump into your cart! Have a very wonderful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a fun way to remember your beautiful tablescapes Martha. Thanks for sharing again and Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Each and every one of these tables is wonderful, Martha!

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Martha! Oh, your Christmas tables are all so pretty! I can't decide which is my favorite! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Martha, loved this walk down memory lane. So many beautiful table settings! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for taking us on a tour of your beautiful tables! I have those Holly dishes as well...love them. But the Christmas transferware is wonderful.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I enjoyed seeing your Christmas tablescapes again!

    Merry Christmas!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  22. Martha, so nice you are inspiring to start their own tradition of beautiful table settings! I love the idea of the sheer bags to put the silverware in, I'll be using that at some point in the future. I'll be using my strawberry fair dish for the holidays, so nice you have then too!!! I'll let you know if I post about them. Have a wonderful holiday! Laura

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love every table! Christmas is such a fun time of year, and there are so many beautiful Christmas dishes out there...I had to laugh at your comment that the ones "jumped" into your cart! I keep trying to tell my husband that they just keep following me home...he's not buying it! Ha Ha! I really love how you used the mesh gift bags as flatware holders. That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing your wonder table settings! Great inspiration! Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a WONDERFUL review of all your pretty Christmas tables, Martha! Many of them I had not seen before & I really enjoyed them. I'm envious of your beautiful red goblets & bowls. I NEED SOME RED ONES!!!!!

    Wishing you & the whole gang a very Blessed & Merry CHRISTmas!

    fondly,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fantastic tour!
    Love the snow bunnies! :)
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Amazing tables! I love them all and each has so many fun details. The little organza bags with the silverware inside is so precious. I am going to have to steal that idea! Love the bottlebrush trees and church as a centerpiece too!! My favorite thing to do is set a beautiful Christmas table for my family..so special as all your tables are. Hope you have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!
    Miss Bloomers

    ReplyDelete
  27. I really enjoyed your recap -- so many great ideas.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi lovely lady.
    I also love all the Tablescapes for the Christmas Holidays and all are Gorgeous.
    I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my new Tablescape for Christmas.
    Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    XXOO Diane

    ReplyDelete
  29. SOOO many pretty tables! But girl, those bunnies! I have always wanted to use mine at Christmas, yours are adorable with those plaid bows. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas!
    xo, Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would. E happy to join you at any of these tables. Isn't it a treat when someone is influenced by your creativity! Martha, I'm glad to have your presence in my blog life.

    ReplyDelete