December 16, 2021

Casually Festive Holiday Table

Hello and welcome! I've set a holiday table for you that is casual, but that doesn't mean there won't be festive touches! 

  
I found inexpensive placemats to serve as the base. I like their light background, sprinkled with red and green Christmas designs. They're a great foil for plaid dinner plates, topped by salad plates with golden scrolls. 


Matching napkins are simply held by pretty ribbons and adorned with holly and berry picks. I frequently choose to use ribbons instead of napkin rings. Ribbons come in such a fantastic array of colors, textures, patterns and widths that you're sure to find one — or several! — that will coordinate with  your linens, dishware, or theme.


Reindeer are frolicking in the center of the table. They made their first appearance on Dinner at Eight in A Partridge in a Pear Tree. I always look forward to using them each year!

  


I decided against an elaborate centerpiece, wanting the focus to be on the reindeer — and the conversation around the table.


But of course I had to add two sets of adorable salt and pepper shakers!

  


One of the festive touches will be holiday drinkware — low tumblers for water that depict scenes from  'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and
 

glasses with splashes of green and red that will serve up chocolate martinis. (If you haven't tried one, you should!)

 
Adding to the festive mood is a new Christmas tree, the fourth in our home. 

  
This tree is decorated with Christmas village scenes. Greg painted all the buildings, adding two to the village this year.

  
This is the first time we've decorated with the village this way. You can see the village's more conventional layout in the second part of our Christmas Villages tour.


The last of the leaves fell with the thunderstorms last week and covered the patio seen through the French doors. The weather will probably be warm enough to head to the patio afterwards for hours of catching up. 



Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!




Table details
Reindeer, salt/pepper shakers | Fitz and Floyd
Plaid plates, tumblers | Williams-Sonoma 'Classic Tartan'
Flatware | Mikasa 'Italian Countryside'  

 
  
    
 

24 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness Sandra - this is lovely. The reindeer are so pretty and the table settings are gorgeous. And then I saw the Christmas tree with all the lovely village houses and well... I went down the rabbit hole with your Christmas Villages tour. They both are stunning - love the creamy white of the Victorian village but love the Americana feel of the second village. And Greg painted all those houses? Wow! And then I just had to subscribe so I didn't miss any more loveliness lol. Merry Christmas to you!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim! I'm glad you enjoyed the table and tree. Yes, Greg painted all the houses! Attaching them to the tree was an adventure, lol. Thanks too for visiting the Christmas Villages tour and for subscribing. Merry Christmas!

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  2. Sandra, I love your festive tablesetting with the new placemats. The F&F reindeer are so pretty and make a lovely statement. Your tree is so beautiful with the Christmas village scenes. I can only imagine the time it took Greg to paint those. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks, Pam! I was really happy with the way the table turned out, and that I got to showcase some F&F pieces. Greg usually does things like this in the winter when we're stuck inside so much. Two houses to go (that I know of, lol). Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  3. Such a pretty and festive table Sandra. Love your F&F reindeer and your placemats. The napkins looks so lovely with the holly. Your tree looks so elegant with the village and the snow covered branches. Merry Christmas Sandra. Kudos to Greg.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I'll be sure to tell him! I liked pairing the lighter placemats with the tartan plates for a casual feel. Have a wonderful week and a merry Christmas!

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  4. I don't blame you for just using the reindeer in the center. They are so lovely. So glad you share your tables with us at the link party. #HomeMattersParty Happy New Year.

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    1. Thank you, Donna! I seem to have collected quite a few reindeer, all of which I love. I enjoy coming to the party and seeing all the wonderful ideas shared each week!

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  5. Everything on your Christmas table is perfect, Sandra. The mats and napkins were a good find and I'm smiling at the reindeer and salt and pepper shakers. I'm looking forward to another year of your tablescapes at the FWF party!
    Happy New Year
    Hugs,
    Rachelle

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    1. Thank you, Rachelle, and Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to sharing lots of ideas at the party!

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  6. wow... beautiful collections. All lovable. Hugs.. Sujatha:)

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  7. Wow Sandra - there's so much to comment on, I don't know where to start! My first "awwww" was for your darling little salt and pepper shakers! How fun are those?! And your village Christmas tree is adorable. That must be so much fun to set up and add to every year. And those plaid plates! Your whole dining room is wonderful!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightDecember 1, 2023 at 3:23 PM

      Thanks, Barbara! It's so fun to use interesting S&P shakers on a table. They can be cute and whimsical like these or add drama with silver or crystal. It's so often the little things that bring such enjoyment to a table. My husband loves to paint the houses for the village, but I have to admit they are challenging to attach to the tree! lol

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  8. Sandra, your holiday festive table is so pretty.
    Visiting today from Crazy Little Love Birds 16 #40

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightDecember 5, 2023 at 8:01 PM

      Thanks, Paula! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  9. So pretty. I love visiting your blog and seeing your beautiful set up, and table decor. I love how this is festive and it's perfect for Christmas. Thank you for sharing it with us at The Crazy Little Love Birds link party #16. I hope you will join us again at the next party.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightDecember 5, 2023 at 8:02 PM

      Thank you, Stephanie! I enjoy setting tablescapes and seeing them come together.

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  10. Sandra,
    I love your table and those reindeer are gorgeous. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2023/12/holiday-decorating-on-thursday-favorite.html
    Hope you stop by.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightDecember 7, 2023 at 5:09 PM

      Thanks so much, Bev! I'm excited to be featured!

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  11. Everything looks beautiful...I have never seen a village Christmas tree before....it's adorable and so unique!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightDecember 8, 2023 at 12:23 PM

      Thanks, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! My husband does a great job painting the buildings and finding cute accessories for it. It can be a challenge securing the village on the tree!

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