Twelve Drummers Drumming...

December is here and with it the Christmas season! For my first holiday table this year I continued with the twelve days of Christmas, ending of course with twelve drummers drumming. 

For this quartet, I styled the table in traditional greens and reds with a tartan twist.

I began with deep green placemats that have a holly design. I layered tartan plaid plates I bought last month and salad plates which depict each of the twelve days of Christmas. 

A lovely lady is dancing demurely, surrounded by flowers.

Nine ladies dancing

A lively fellow is leaping through a brook, coat billowing behind.

Ten lords a' leaping

The piper has kicked off his shoes and is serenading the waning moon.

Eleven pipers piping

The tired drummer is sitting on hay bales, drumming away.

Twelve drummers drumming

For a centerpiece, I used magnolia leaves clipped from our tree, surmounted by white-tipped pine cones and brightly colored faux berries. Brass candlesticks in two heights bring shimmer to the center. This is an easy centerpiece to assemble for someone who hasn't retrieved much in the way of decorations yet.

Tartan napkins are held by red rings. Edged in brass, they complement the candlesticks as well as gold flatware from Greg's mother and the gold rims on both plates.

I've used these glasses often for both water and mixed drinks. We've had them a long time — long enough to not remember where we got them or from whom. Or even what pattern they are.

Their pattern is very similar to the one on the vase we received as a wedding gift, though I don't think we received the glasses then. The vase is rather tall and narrow so I tend to use faux flowers in it. 

Today I used branches covered in berries of various shades of red and wine.

Sitting on either side are vintage glass candle holders designed with an art deco sensibility. I scooped them up at the glassware show and featured them for another type of holiday here.

I love how this table turned out. And I love that the set of twelve plates could be prettily styled in three very different ways. The first four days were a very traditional take on Christmas, while days five through eight evoked a French country village. 

And on today's table, days nine through twelve follow the kilt-wearing drummer!

I'm captivated by the detail on the plates. The roses add such a romantic touch to her dance, like she's just been carried away by the music!

The morning glories seem to rise to meet the setting moon.

A pretty table in traditional greens and reds with a tartan twist!

Merry Christmas!

 

Table resources
Salad plates | Royal Gallery 'All the Days of Christmas'
Dinner plates | Williams Sonoma 'Tartan'
Napkins | Sur la Table
Placemats | Lenox 'Holly Damask'