Our Holiday Table for 12

We had our 6 children, 1 son-in-law, two grandchildren, and my Mom for Christmas dinner this year.  Instead of separating into two groups, I decided we would all sit together.  That meant a table to seat 12!

Let me tell you how I solved a dilemma.  How would I find a tablecloth for a table to seat 12 without spending a fortune.  My solution?  A drop cloth from Home Depot!  I took it out of the package and ran an iron over it in a few places.  Perfect!  I think I paid about $10.00 for it. 

We put all the leaves in the table and gathered 6 extra chairs.  I had fun decorating in other colors than the traditional red and green.  The color story was blues, greens and metallics in gold and silver sprinkled liberally with whites.

Sadly, when I uploaded the photos to my computer, I lost some of them. :-(  Don't know how it happened and has never happened before. 

One of our daughters happened to post to facebook a few photos, so I have been able to retrieve them from there.  This was the centerpiece.   

 

Next, a close-up of a place setting.   I purchased white napkins from Target before Christmas.  I used gold napkin rings I already had.  I simply tied a light green bow around each ring and secured a place card and a bell!  I loved how they turned out. 

I used gold chargers purchased from Old Time Pottery several years ago and my everyday white dishes.
My silver was given to me by my husband for an anniversary gift.  The pattern is Enchantment by Oneida, Ltd., now discontinued.
The glasses were given to me by my Mother.  Her mother, (my grandmother) gave them to her close to 50 years ago! I don't have a close-up but they have real pretty etching around the sides.  This is the first time I have used them and I really enjoyed them.

In the center of the table I used a white platter filled with various colored and glass balls.  On each side of the table I filled tall glass vases with a little faux snow, balls and a few sprigs of greenery.  Running down the center of the table was a light green runner.  I then used votive candles for added effect.

Putting this holiday table together was a lot of fun for me.  I got a creative kick out of using different colors, (blues and greens) and pieces that I have never used before. 

My husband had smoked some turkey breast and pork loin.  My mom and I had been baking and cooking for several days.  We had mustard greens, potato casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing and desserts galore.  We had snow on Christmas Day! Our Christmas meal really was a memorable event!   

I would love to see how you decorated your Christmas table this year! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Libby~

I'm linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!

Just Can't Let It Go

This was a very different holiday season for me.  I would describe it as "close to perfection".  Maybe because it was the first in several years that I was not working full time and had opportunity to enjoy it.  My Mom always spends Christmas was us.  She was here and we had a great time cooking and baking together.  All of the children and the grandchildren were here. Lots of gifts, food and fun together celebrating Christ's birth.  

AND we had a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!  It was pretty awesome.

I did a lot of decorating but didn't share any pictures with you.  I know.  It is January 3.  What can I say???  It is late, but I just can't let it go.  Today I am making myself take it all down.  But first I wanted to post about it. 

This was the first year that I did any Christmas decorating in the basement since we just fully finished renovating the basement this year. The theme was a Rustic-Country Christmas.  I hung wreaths on an armoire we house the sound equipment in.   

This is a tea-cart I inherited from a favorite aunt.  She had it in her living room for years  We share the same birthday and have always been close.  She said I was the daughter she never had.  I use it now to hold jars of snacks and goodies.  

I took some of my Christmas vintage post cards and clothes-pinned them to twine as a fun decorative element on the windows above the electric candles. 

In the center of the eating table I used an old wooden bakers board and filled it with vintage hand-painted Christmas balls and votive candles.  It sits upon a remnant of burlap surrounded by greenery clippings; boxwood, cedar and rosemary.  We ate our Christmas breakfast there. 

 

Some close-ups of the Christmas tree.  I bought this artificial tree at a thrift store for around $13.00.  My first one ever.  We have always used only live trees. But for the downstairs family room, this one was perfect.

Under the tree I place some wooden toys.

Some Christmas pillows added to what I already use.

 

Greenery above the chalk board with a favorite Christmas song.

Thanks for allowing me to share a little of our Christmas with you.  Maybe there will be one more post to show you how I decorated in the main living areas of our home.  

Next post will hopefully be about what I want More Of and Less Of in 2011!  Thanks for stopping by!

Libby

Southern Living Idea House, Decorated for Christmas - My Visit, Part Three

This is a continuation in the series on my visit to the Southern Living Idea House, Abercorn Place, in Senoia, GA.  We went on Oct. 16 and it had just been decorated for Christmas.  The following pictures show how it was decorated at the time.  If you missed Part One and Part Two about my visit, you may read them here and here.

This post will be short on text and long on pictures.  I know this time of the year people are busy but still want some inspiration for your holiday decor.  So enjoy!

 

I understand that this is an idea house and the focus is to be on the house itself and not the Christmas decorations.  However,two things stood out to me about the Christmas decor.  One, was the use of muted and subdued colors, all in keeping with the color scheme of the home. Shiny reds, glitzy tinsel, or flashing lights, was nowhere to be found.  Two, was the use of natural elements from the outside.  Fresh greenery was in abundance in beautiful floral table centerpieces and massive mantel garlands.  I liked it all.   

Want more inspiration?  For 86 Fresh Christmas Ideas from Southern Living, click here.   

So what are your favorites from the Christmas decor at the GA Southern Living Idea House. What colors will you be using?  Are you adding fresh and natural elements this year?  

Thanks for stopping by!  I gotta get going.  My own house needs decorating  and I've got to get it done this weekend!  Libby~