During the month of December, I like to have my Christmas everyday dishes on the table for use all month. A few years ago, I found these stoneware salad plates in a design called Vintage Christmas and was just enchanted with them. I love the motifs and the black background. I looked back at previous Christmas tablescape posts, and the best I can remember, I got the plates in 2014. I think I found them at a thrift store. I use the set in different ways each year. For about 5 years, I only had the plates, and didn’t even think about looking for more pieces.
But then, I found one of the footed mugs at a different thrift shop for 25 cents. That sparked my interest in searching for more pieces. And I found one more online. With only two mugs, I put them with two plates on our kitchen counter where we would sometimes have breakfast.
Eventually, I obtained five footed mugs, four for the table and a spare for the inevitable time when I break one.
Five years ago, I found the large serving platter on eBay. Yes, I had to have it.
Then, four years ago I saw a set of bowls that matched the set on eBay and bought those. I managed to find four bread and butter plates to match as well.
Last year, I found a large vegetable / pasta serving bowl, so I had to get that.
I’ve used various chargers with the dishes, sometimes red on a white tablecloth,…
sometimes green.
One year, I used black chargers with thrift store dinner plates in red and black. The red tablecloth and black napkins made a dramatic table. I kept the big red and black dinner plates for a couple of years, then donated them back to the thrift store.
This year, I pulled the square gold chargers for a different look. I didn’t put dinner plates on the stack, as we don’t use them much anymore. Smaller plates and smaller portion sizes are more the norm for us now. A deep red tablecloth sets off the gold chargers well.
Of course, I couldn’t resist surfing eBay again, just to see if there was anything new. And, unfortunately, there was. This large pitcher appeared as a “best offer”, so I made one. When I negotiated a price I was willing to pay, I placed the order. When it came, I was surprised that it was so big. I think if I had realized it was this big, I might not have ordered it. I filled it full of artificial greenery, white poinsettia blooms and red berries. I set it in the pasta bowl.
Each place setting has four pieces of the stoneware, white napkins held with little drum napkin rings, a Christmas tree butter spreader and everyday flatware. Individual salt and pepper shakers complete the setting.
The pub table is stuffed full of dishes, LOL! But I do love this set.
The platter, and another serving piece I acquired last year are on display in the living area on top of the cookbook shelf. The square one on the left is a sandwich platter.
I actually saw one dinner plate this year on eBay, and resisted the urge to get it. There was only one, and I just don’t need any more of these dishes! But if I find a salt and pepper set, or a sugar and creamer, I may have to rethink that declaration.
Do you have a Christmas collection?
From My Carolina Home 
no collection but a few festive pieces of spode and lenox ‘holiday’ pattern…i’m downsizing not acquiring…LOL.. your dishes are beautiful tho…
LOL, I have been trying to downsize too, but things seem to keep jumping into my cart!
I love every version of this. (I hear you on the “one more plate” thing!)
Atta girl, keeping the eyes peeled for a good deal and great look(s)! All of those looks you’ve set look terrific. Im a big fan of displaying trays, platters as decor. Yours are beautiful.
I always blame my husband on my dish obsession because he bought me a set of Pfaltgraff’s Winter Frost many years ago.
I thought I wanted a set of Johnson Bros Friendly Village until I got a huge set at 75% off at an estate sale about 4 yrs ago. I never used it, so I sold about half of it last year, and the rest his year.
The smaller sized plates are great to have, and salads are mostly what I buy when I want something new.
OMG, maybe that gigantic one was a store display. Love your festive table settings. My daughter is still lamenting the Christmas Tree set I gave away.
Your dinner ware collection is lovely. Think I might be so entranced by the dishes I wouldn’t overeat at mealtime. That would be a good thing with all the holiday meals right now. I did have a Christmas dish collection but sold it. Just had to downsize somewhere. Love that tablescapes have stayed a part of your life. It brings so much joy to admire what you have created.
Oh i love this set! I found ONE little pedestal bowl years ago, didn’t try to get more, as we’re running low on room especially after downsizing! I do so enjoy seeing your tablescapes, especially this set. Dramatic, fun, beautiful – special. Thanks for sharing every year! Jennie
Hi Carole, what a lovely table! And, how much fun to source out your favorite holiday dishes and build a collection! I love sets of dishes, I have 4. I have a large set (setting for 12 and 4 extra dinner plates) of Pfaltzgraff Winterberry that I use December – March. I have a 12 place setting of Fiesta in a variety of colors for use in summer, a set of beautiful tulip dishes that I use during Easter and springtime and a set of autumn themed dishes for fall. The spring and autumn were inherited from my mother. I love my home, but it is lacking one very important thing…a butler’s pantry! Of course, if I had one of those, I might have more sets of dishes! Maybe that’s a good thing?
I set my holiday table with a handmade (cross-stitch) tablecloth from my husband’s grandmother, the Winterberry dishes on deep red chargers, very special flatware that I’ve had for 40 years (only gets used on special occaisions…it is still like new), and large water goblets and matching wine glasses with a winter theme etched in them. Funny story…I got the goblets and wine glasses 20 years ago through a Burger King promotion. Regardless of the source, I love them and use them each year!
That sounds lovely!! Wonderful that the design can be used all winter. Great story on your Burger King goblets!
love your dishes and tablescape! Before I moved and downsized, i had Christmas dishes. I really enjoyed having different sets of dishes, no room for them now. It’s fun to see how you combine elements in your table settings. Merry Christmas. Niki
I love those dishes, Carole – always enjoy seeing them when you get them out! I can see why you’re enjoying adding to the collection. And if you use them all month, why not?! I don’t have many special Christmas dishes – just my coffee mugs and a cookie plate. But still fun to pull them out this time of year!
Love your tablescape and dishes.My dishes are made by Lennox Winter Greetings. I too, look for extra pieces as I have my daughter and three granddaughters to pass my dishes to.
Christmas blessings and a Happy New Year!
Linda
like Diann I have coffee mugs and a set of four Christmas saucer/plates I only took four mugs out this year and put the box back – I guess I’m not real into the holiday this year.
I have two sets of Christmas dishes. This year I’m using the small plates, because my portions would get lost on the dinner plates.
Carole,
You are a woman after my own heart. I love pretty dishes. However I do not have the talent as you for your beautiful tablescapes. I love seeing all the different ones you show. These Christmas dishes appear to be unique as I’ve never seen them before. I would caution about stoneware if there are any cracks. Depending on where & how they’re made, they sometimes have Lead and other heavy metals in the finishes which can leach through.
Have a Blessed Christmas,
Beverly
I really admire all of your decorations and tablescapes. I have less and less interest in decorating and only get the Christmas dishes out when we have guests…..so, almost never!
Hi Carole,
Continually amazed by the amount of dinnerware you have! I have one set of everyday dishes and one set of “better”. I no longer do dinner parties, but even when I did I only ever had an every day set and a “good” set. I do have a couple of table cloths though – all white. I prefer that to something busy under your plate. Having said all of that, I always admire those table settings of yours!!
Dasha
I enjoy your dishes and table scapes vicariously!