Since all things Christmas have a chance to shine only once each year, I make the most of them during December. Without question, my favorite thing to do is dress the places we eat.
Always I start with a centerpiece. Here it is a most traditional one using an antique mold and a variety of artificial accessories.
No dishes are more traditional or recognizable than these by Spode. Getting them out of the cabinet year after year is like welcoming an old friend.
The placemats and napkins are almost as old as the dishes, and if memory serves me correctly, they, too, were a gift from mother. Eventually they will be passed on to the more traditional of my two daughters.
Playful and fun are the flatware that I found a few years ago at Ross and the holly berry napkin rings that give off a happy jingle.
Adding a bowl for a soup starter and a holiday popper completes each place.
Thinking about who will join the hubby and me at this table makes me smile as I know there will be lots of shared memories and laughter. That is what makes the holidays special.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Joining
If you are familiar with my tablescapes, you know I like to get a lot of mileage out of centerpieces. Planning ahead takes a few steps out of preparing a table which is especially helpful for multiple dinner gatherings.
For the last at home dinner before Christmas, a different set of dishes is the major change. This time they will be the traditional Spode. They remind me of my mother who started the collection and added to it over the years.
Even the placemats are in the Spode design. Not only that, the holly sprigs duplicate the leaves of the trees in the centerpiece.
The holiday flatware is a given as it works with all things Christmasy.
A quick trip to Joann’s provided fabric for some quickly cut and serged napkins that are tucked into Santa napkin rings. These, too, evoke a memory as they were a gift from a long time friend.
The Spode glasses were perfect, but at the last minute I switched the water glasses for green thumbprint ones. I wonder if the hubby remembers giving those to me before we were married.
There is still some last minute shopping to do and presents to be wrapped, but the table is set for Christmas dinner. I’m not sure what that says about my priorities!
It was easy to get this one ready because, as 
All that has to be done is exchanging one set of dishes for another. This time the tableware is the traditional Spode Christmas tree pattern sitting on chargers on sale at Michael’s for 70 cents each. If you have a store nearby, the Christmas chargers are a great buy!
I did change out the napkins for some hastily made ones from fabric that had been in my studio for some time. The edges are serged with gold metallic thread that matches the stitching on the table runner.
With the pronounced holly berry pattern in the napkin, this napkin ring is perfect.
As with all the holiday tables, stemware repeating the Christmas tree pattern is used and for water my favorite cranberry thumbprint glasses that seem to go with most everything I have.
So, there it is, a table full of Christmas cheer. The only thing missing is you, and I do hope you enjoy your table wherever you are.
