Early this month, I was the hostess for a luncheon, and wanted to do a lovely holiday table for the ladies to enjoy. I had to ask My Sweet Babboo to add a leaf to the table to have enough space for eight place settings instead of the usual six. I set the dining table with some of my favorite things, a mixture of elegance and whimsy.
I put a red tablecloth on the table, topped with a quilted runner I’ve had for years. I made it long before I started blogging, it is a mix of orphan blocks with big borders. Green chargers began the place settings.
In the center, I placed the Pine Cone Christmas centerpiece arrangement, with long boughs of faux evergreens on both sides.
I nestled little Santa figurines on both sides. I have quite a collection of these.
Placing five on each side, each Santa is unique.
I liked this as it was, no candles needed as it was a daytime meal.
My mother’s holiday china, Holiday Tartan by Lenox, (discontinued now) continues the festive feel.
The gold rims just called for the gold flatware. The gold trimmed napkin rings were an estate sale find. They are little drums with bows and trimming.
I added coffee mugs to the settings.
I didn’t have eight of the same kind of napkin, so the six settings on the sides got the holly berry and embroidered ones, and the ends of the table had plain red.
Unpacking more Christmas decorations, I found these gift box scatters, so I added them around the edge of the centerpiece and a few on top of the greenery.
I added wine glasses, and again had to mix styles.
I put the little salt and pepper shakers between the settings so only two had to share. I only have six sets.
All done, festive and ready for a fun day.
I’ll be using those plates for our holiday meal too. It is fun to use special dishes on special days especially for friends. And speaking of friends, my dear friend Val is back blogging again with a very inspirational story about looking forward. Read her post on her newly renamed blog Val’s Creative Life.
For our Christmas dinner, I think we’ll do another Prime Rib roast, with maybe some Parsley New Potatoes with Sour Cream Sauce (or a Twice Baked Potato), and a Roasted Garlic Spinach Bake.
What are your plans for your holiday meal?
Did you get an Instant Pot Pressure / Slow Cooker last year, or maybe Santa is bringing one this year? Milk Street has a new cookbook specifically for that appliance called Fast and Slow, available on Amazon for preorder – publishing in April 2020. One of the recipes is in this month’s Milk Street magazine for Chicken Paprikash that looks delicious! I don’t have one of these pots, but the recipes are written for both pressure cooking and slow cooking, so you can use your slow cooker. Try Amazon Prime Free for 30 Days.
From My Carolina Home 
Lovely table! Your mother’s Lenox is beautiful. I’m sure your friends really enjoyed the trouble you went to in setting such a festive table. It makes the entire meal and gathering so special.
I don’t have an instant pot, mostly now because of space, but am thinking maybe I should trade my older crockpot (still have another, better one) for an instant pot!
Carole, I have always loved the Lenox Holiday Tartan, so elegant. Your table is lovely!
Beautiful table, love the centerpiece!
Beautiful table, Carole! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Lovely, festive table, Carole! Thank you for sharing!
Merry Christmas to you, Carole. Beautiful tablescape.
Lovely table, Carole. Merry Christmas.
Beautiful table setting. (Mine is currently buried under “stuff”. Hubby has been hanging his Star Trek ornaments for a week. Tonight is clean up night). I love your china. It is just beautiful and I am sure you treasure it. The flatware was a perfect companion. I have TWO rib roasts that are thawing in the fridge to roast on Christmas day. There will be 10 of us, so we have 10 pounds, guaranteed to have leftovers. I make green beans with a recipe from Epicurious.com, with shallots and pecans and brown sugar. They get a nice glaze. Daughters are both in charge of the other things like salad and potatoes. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and that the JOY of the birth of Christ shines forth for you and your wonderful husband.
Oh, what a festive and beautiful table! Hope you had a lovely time with your friends. I covet those gorgeous dishes every time I see them—I know you must treasure them because of the family connection. I’m baking and doing meal prep today, as our son and family will be here Christmas Eve and I like to get lots done ahead. Small crowd this year, but that suits me fine. We’re having Burgundy Beef stew, mashed potatoes, gelatin salad, rolls and Pie!!! Merry Christmas to all!
Your table is beautiful, Carole! Mine is always very simple with just a table runner and a few decorations. This year our church ladies had a night out at Hammer and Stain and I painted a ceramic vintage truck with a tree in the back and “snow” on it! That will be my center piece this year. My hubby is frying turkey breasts and making his mom’s famous chocolate pies and I’ll be making the other dishes requested by the kiddos. I do have an instant pot and that is now the only way I make my famous mac and cheese! It keeps it moist and I have the oven for other things like sweet potato casserole, corn casserole (both requests) and dressing! Just to add some greenery I will also make green beans. Unfortunately only my son-in-love and I really love veggies, so I have to incorporate them into something not as healthy. But, hey, it’s once a year, so we indulge! I may make my mama’s lime congealed salad also. My SIL and I love that! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Beautiful table settings! What is the pattern for the table runner quilt? That looked beautiful also and very appropriate.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
Lovely tablescape. I’m sure your guests loved it. Have an awesome holiday!
As always your tablescape is beautiful! Have a Merry Christmas ans a FANTASTIC NEW YEAR!
I see a very festive and friendly table setting for you r special friends. Just lovely.
Beautiful Carole……how heartwarming to see these Christmas dinner traditions at your home.
The holiday tartan pattern has stolen my soul.
Very beautiful, as usual Carole, and who wouldn’t enjoy a dinner when seated at such an elegant table setting.
You create the most inviting tablescapes and your Christmas tablescape certainly welcomes Christmas with cheerfulness. Great job! Total #CreativeGoodness (packed with creativity & inspiration). Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
You always make me smile – “only have six sets.” of salt and pepper shakers. Raise your hands ladies if you have more than 1. Sadly I have only 2 sets and only a setting for 4 of the gold ware. Maybe I should move closer so we could share. I’m sure my Husky/Shepherd mix would enjoy a romp with your turkeys as well. They aren’t on the menu are they?
Beautiful table setting.
Oh Carole, this is sooo pretty. I adore all of your treasures…. I have some treasures… but not using them these days. I love your mom’s china. I love Lenox too. Your Santas are so cute.
Stay happy and healthy.
I am recovering from a huge stupid virus I picked up last Monday. I have been sickish (had to stay home and away from daddy) all last week. I am out today but my my ears nose and lungs are itchy — good fun and lots of hankies/ I just took a Claritin so I hope it works. Being old is so fun haha
I hope you enjoyed this nice day.
Have a happy snappy week with your hubbs
Absolutely beautiful decorations. I especially love the table runner, and those green chargers. Happy holidays to you and your family.
It looks lovely. A wonderful way to celebrate with friends.
Merry Christmas.
I gave my son an Instant Pot, does that count? I used it last week for making bean soup. Worked beautifully, and I didn’t soak the beans, because it was a last minute decision to make it and use a convenient ham bone. One of the things I like about your table settings is that you do it so nicely, it doesn’t matter if everything doesn’t match. This one is so pretty with those Santas, and your mother’s Lenox china. Very festive. And for dinner, we went to the Brazilian steak house last night and let them set the beautiful table. =)