Traditional Christmas Tablescape

I've set the table today with my first Christmas dishes and linens purchased around 20 years ago. These are the ones that hold sweet memories of Christmas breakfasts when the kids were home.



Actually it's not like I have a huge collection of Christmas dishes, I only have one other set...but I've gotten Christmas dishes for both my daughter and daughter-in-law as well. As much as I craved a set of Holiday china, it was never in the budget. Especially at Christmas time. I still remember being delighted to find a boxed set for four place settings after Christmas at Kmart for $9.99! I was so excited to finally have a set of Christmas dishes!


Over the years I've added to that little boxed set, finding more settings at Goodwill and on eBay. I even found four tumblers to match. I believe that now I have place settings for ten.



A simple centerpiece for today....just a red poinsettia from the grocery store.....


....white candles (I swear they're really straight)....


....holly from my bushes in my vintage flower ring.


I still love these little dishes....


....they're nothing very fancy, just a Gibson holiday set...


....from a long time ago.



Now, I know another little trick that I could have actually afforded years before I purchased my little set. This may be a Spode pattern that you're familiar with.....



....but when you remove the clear glass top plate.....


....this "china" is actually a set of paper plates purchased at Marshall's (8 for $2.99) --- they have them right now at the one near me.....just a little thrifty tip.....but, back to my tablescape.



Centerpiece overview.


Tabletop overview.



I've layered two tablecloths together.



This top one came from Walmart years and years ago.


And just a few years later I found this holly tablecloth that was a good match. I believe I've used these every Christmas since I purchased them. They're both a little faded....but I'm still using them.



One more shot of my "traditional" Christmas china before....



.....I light the candles.....




.....and wish you a Most Merry Christmas with those you love gathered around your table.

Be sure to visit Susan our tabletop hostess at "Between Naps on the Porch" to see all the dish delights posted this week for Tablescape Thursday.See ya!

Breakfast with Santa

Now I wouldn't admit this to everyone....but this year I've started my Christmas decorating....with setting the table. Most people hang the lights, the wreath on the door and put up the tree....not me! I'm starting with the dishes!


What could be a more delightful way to start Christmas than Breakfast with Santa!


I've layered one of my Christmas cloths over a plaid one.


Sorry about the glare....I was late getting started this evening. Please join us.



Looks like quite a gathering of Santas on the table.


Each year I add another Santa mug to my collection.



They're all different.


A few are antique (like me)...but none of the ones on the table today.


I believe all of these have been found over the years at Goodwill. Perfect for some hot cocoa.



I found these Santa candy dishes at CVS a couple of years ago. They're perfect for a breakfast muffin....or perhaps some cut fruit.


White salad plates....perfect for a stack of pancakes. When our kids were in high school....their choral groups always did a Santa Breakfast as a fundraiser. The little ones were always so cute. Now I have four grandgirls of my own....wouldn't they have a fun time at this Santa table.


Target flatware.



Pewter Santa napkin rings.



A view from Santa's sleigh.



And now for our guests of honor...


.....making a list....


....checking it twice.....



.....gonna find out.....


....who's naughty....


...who's nice!


Hope you'll have a chance to stop by "Between Naps on the Porch" to see all the pretty tablescapes hosted each week by Susan....I'm pretty sure she's ALWAYS on the nice list!

See ya!