Welcome! Today I'm excited to join a Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop organized by the
amazing Rita of Panoply. She has gathered eighteen of us to share our
ideas for festive tables perfect for celebrating the holiday season! You're
sure to enjoy the wonderful inspiration you will find in all of the tables — their info is listed at the end of the post.
I especially enjoy setting holiday tables in all their variety! Awash in color, they bring joy to family and friends and are a delight to style. This year I decided to embrace the playful side of Christmas with a table that I hope will bring you smiles.
The table begins with one of my favorite holiday tablecloths, a deep green covered with lighter green leaves and bright red berries. Iconic toy soldiers parade across the dinner plates on which are two styles of coordinating salad plates.
I then placed Christmas crackers that have a similar leaf and berry design on the salad plates. I thought they would be a playful addition to the table setting. I had never had Christmas crackers before and I was surprised to learn that they would emit a 'pop' when pulled! They've apparently been enjoyed since the 1840's.
More red berries fill the centerpiece bowl, one that my mom received as a wedding gift. I love incorporating items that have sentimental value in my table decor, especially during holidays. Snowy glass pine cones and a glittered ornament form a perfect perch for the little raffia bird.
In the center of two of the accent salad plates are the Christmas trees that are interspersed among the toy soldiers. These plates have a wide green rim — its color at the top of the photo is a truer representation than the color at the bottom. The bright sunlight streaming through the windows played havoc with the colors in some of the photos.
The other two salad plates repeat the dinner plate design except that they added a deep red band encircling the well. We had wanted these dishes for what seemed like a long time and finally purchased a few pieces a couple of years ago. If you'd like to see a more formal table set with the dishware, visit Christmas in Red and Gold.
Because of the red-jacketed soldiers, the berries on the tablecloth and the red band on two of the plates, red was the logical choice for an accent color. Beautiful glassware catches the light and stands on pewter coasters that are pretty but not terribly functional LOL. I used cute stem charms to differentiate the wine glasses.
The napkins have designs in red and green that go well with the other table items. They're held by joyful reindeer rings in glowing silver that picks up the color of the flatware and the softer shine of the pewter coasters and hammered aluminum bowl. A tiny evergreen pick was inserted into the napkin rings.
I love how the sunlight slants across the table!
To add to the playful feel I used salt and pepper shakers at each place setting that have charming figural shapes. First are cute pups, pleased they have found an ornament to toss about.
Second are a stocking full of toys and a wrapped gift complete with a dove, an enduring symbol of peace.
Third is a two-part train, with a steam engine pulling a car full of goodies.
And lastly are a festively wrapped present and another stocking with a wide-eyed teddy bear.
Peppermint stick candles add a delightful spark on either side of the centerpiece! I confess I don't actually want to light them. . .
An appealing Christmas tree conceals a sugar bowl in its base. On the opposite side is its matching creamer.
While on the sideboard a teapot and mugs await hot chocolate to be served after the meal.
I think this lighthearted approach would be just the thing for a leisurely lunch during the holidays!
The cheeky little bird is having fun!
I would like to thank Rita from Panoply for organizing this Christmas tablescape celebration. I hope that you'll visit each of my
fellow stylists — you are sure to be inspired by their endlessly creative ideas!
Happy Holidays!
Table details
Plates | Bernardaud 'Grenadiers'
S&P shakers | Fitz and Floyd
Teapot and cake plate | Spode 'Christmas Tree Peppermint'
Tree mugs | Waechtersbach 'Christmas Tree'
* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight does not receive any type of compensation.
Shared with these delightful parties
It certainly is playful! What time is lunch? LOL. Lovin' your dishes and especially your tablecloth! Cute candy cane trees, too! Have a joyful season!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reminder to take some time and play at Christmas. Love the tablecloth that sets the foundation for your chosen pieces. I've been looking at those nutcracker plates for years and am so happy you are using yours. There are so many sweet accents to your table from the little puppies (my personal favorites) to the red and white striped candles. We always have crackers at our house and it's a very playful touch. Wishing you and your family a lovely holiday season.
ReplyDeleteLynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Sandra, your playful table setting is both fun and festive, and I really love your pretty napkins! I wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday season!
ReplyDeleteI have a great love of salt and pepper shakers, but I don’t have enough holiday sets to put one at each place setting the way you have so cleverly done here. What you have done is given me an excuse to get more holiday salt and pepper shakers so that I can do this very thing. Thank you for that. Everything looks lovely. Your Waechtersbach mugs on the sideboard match my tea set.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely table!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteSandra, your Christmas table is gorgeous. I can see why the tablecloth is your favorite. It is both beautiful and festive. Your Christmas china is so pretty, and the red stemware looks lovely paired with it. How special to have your Mother's bowl as a centerpiece. Your collection of salt and pepper shakers is darling. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSandra, your table is so pretty. Love your china with the gorgeous nutcrackers. A lovely tablecloth too. The red and white stripe candles are so perfect. The Christmas crackers are a fun addition. A beautiful table to celebrate during the holidays. Such sweet little puppies on your Christmas table. Always a pleasure joining you at the table. Wishing you and yours a beautiful Christmas.🎄
ReplyDeleteHello Sandra, I hope everything is well with you. I am missing your comment on my blog regarding my Polar Express tablescape. Merry Christmas.🎄
DeleteI'm not sure what happened to my original comment but I've sent another one. Hope no glitches this time!
DeleteSandra, the tablecloth is a lovely foundation for your playful Tablescape. The iconic Bernardaud ‘Grenadiers’ is a beautiful pattern that I have long admired. It has a playful feel but is also very elegant! I am always interested in your choice of stemware, I love the red on your table. I adore Fitz and Floyd and your collection of salt and pepper sets is amazing! I only have a couple of sets. I always enjoy a seat at one of your tables. Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteThis is a playful table setting! I love your collection of figurines, especially the pups playing with each other. I also like your peppermint trees: They are so cute! The berry print really pops on your tablecloth. It's pretty, too. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSandra, your playful table has such a lovely twist of elegance. I adore your selection of dinnerware and stemware. They are such a classic. When they are combined with playful elements like your peppermint tree candles, birds, pine cone ornaments and puppy salt and pepper shakers makes me feel like I am experiencing a classical ballet, like The Nutcracker. Elegant and yet playful. I love your choice of a tablecloth and napkins and your cute wine glass charms. I may even purchase some Christmas crackers too since I have never came across any. They sound like do much fun. Enjoy your lovely table during the entire holiday season. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteSo many merry details and such festive table décor for Christmas Sandra! I love your multiple shakers sets. The classic and traditional red and green palette of your lovely leaf and berry tablecloth provides a wonderful foundation for your table and pairing with your Grenadiers by Bernardaud. Your table looks especially festive with your red and white drapes framing your table. 😊 As always, it’s a treat to hop with you and join you at the table. Wishing you a Merry December and Christmas! 🎄❤️
ReplyDeleteSandra, what a cute way to show off your wonderful collection of salt and pepper shakers!! They have become ornaments of the table, I love the Christmas pups!! Your table looks fun and festive from your pretty green print table cloth to the crackers on top and everything in between! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
ReplyDeleteOh Sandra, love the s&p's and all the elements of your beautiful table. Love the traditional red & green...it is so festive and lovely and the little wine glass charms are a perfect way to keep glasses separate. I also like the peppermint tree candles...I wouldn't want to burn them either. Have a great and wonderful December. 🎄🍽️🎄
ReplyDeleteSandra, you have definitely brought a smile to my face with your beautiful and playful table. The S&Ps are darling and so are the peppermint candles (I never light my specialty candles either). How great that you were able to use your mother's wedding gift bowl on your table. I love your tablecloth too and the napkins your chose to go with it. The toy soldier plates are beyond adorable and I can see why you love them. Love the Christmas crackers and they have been a tradition at our house as long as I can remember (yes, they pop); I pop them into everyone's stocking and everyone wears the silly hats while sharing the (very bad) jokes. It's all great fun and these are perfect for your table. It was a treat hopping with you and merry December and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFun and inviting - I have the same napkin rings in gold, so I'm especially delighted with the napkins and napking rings!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet! I'm glad you stopped by!
DeleteA playful yet still very classy tablescape, Sandra! I especially love the green rimmed accent plates on the toy soldier dinner plates. The textiles are very nice and, like you, I have certain ones I love to use this time of year. The individual s/p shakers are as cute as can be. I can see my guests mixing them up around the table as a fun conversational thing. Those pewter coasters are sure pretty, so maybe they could be repurposed as ornaments or additions to a centerpiece since you say they aren't very functional. Beautiful stemware from your vast collection, and the sunlight adds a striking glow to the entire table.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining the blog hop, and I wish you a very merry Christmas season.
Sandra, your touch of whimsy with the sets of S&P is delightful. I like to do the same! Your plate stack is charming. I love the gold accents with the traditional red and green. The soldier design is fun! The stemware and linens offer the perfect accents. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! My favorite are the beautiful plates.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The plates are irresistible.
DeleteOh Sandra – how darling! I DID smile when I saw the little train – it’s just adorable! And the crackers are so festive. I always get a little flutter when I see one on a table. It means the dinner’s going to be fun! How sweet that you can use your mom’s wedding gift. It’s a beautiful centerpiece. Love the wine glasses and the coasters – sometimes form wins out over function! In lieu of listing out every single thing I love about your tablescape, I’m just going to say it’s all perfectly wonderful! Perfect for a fun holiday meal, especially with the hot chocolate afterward! Thanks for your beautiful setting – I always get so much inspiration from your lovely tables! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour tablescapes are always beautiful and look like you enjoy creating them so much. The salt and pepper shakers are my favorite little touch. Thanks for sharing with us every week and this post will be a feature this week. #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the feature, Donna! I've loved creating tablescapes since I was a young girl and got to help set tables with the "good stuff".
DeleteWhat a cheerful and delightful Christmas table Sandra! The mix of lively patterns, playful figurines, and those adorable toy-soldier plates! I will be looking those up for sure! I love how every setting has a little surprise — from the peppermint touches to the Christmas crackers — it all comes together so beautifully. Wishing you the happiest holiday season!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic and whimsical table setting! I really adore the different Christmas salt and pepper shakers you have. They added such a cute addition to the table. I hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have a soft spot for cute or interesting S/P shakers -- such an easy way to tie a tablescape together. I'm so glad you stopped by
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