Setting your table for Christmas

I love Christmas and was lucky to grow up with a mom who went all out to make our house festive for holidays, but Christmas was my favorite by far. Garland, carolers and white lights adorned each fire place and we had two Christmas trees - the kids tree in the kitchen (including ornaments made by me and my brother) and the "designer" tree as I like to call it. One year, my mom put red roses on the tree - we had to put every single flower in a little vile of water to keep it alive. But, it was beautiful. (We only did that one year!). And to this day, the dining room is always set well in advance with beautiful napkin rings, china and flowers. I wanted to share some table settings I found online, I hope you have a festive holiday season!

I think this table is a lot of fun and great for a house in Vermont or out west. Table by Carolyn Roehme and posted on homeworkshop.com.















Country Living has a great slide show of centerpieces and table settings online.





































While not a table, I love this banister from Coastal Living.




















Some place card holders from Crate & Barrel.

Hosting a holiday party?

'Tis the season to drink and be merry! December is filled with social gatherings and in case you are planning one, here are a few things I have come across.  Today, there are so many options for holiday decorations, we are no longer confined to the traditional red and green. Personally, I love incorporating silver with an accent color - perhaps blue or pink. 

I was reading through Martha Stewart magazine this morning and it reminded me how much you can do with things straight from nature. And this economy, we should take full advantage! Try making these napkin ties for your place settings.Following the outdoor theme, silver pine cones are great for the table, the fireplace mantle or for filling a decorative bowl.  You can buy these from Crate and Barrel ormake your own - find some pine cones and purchase some silver spray paint...easy!  You can do the same with tree branches. 

These silver trees are available at Target - buy at least three and use them on the table for a dinner party or use them to decorate a room. They come in two sizes, be sure to mix and match. 

Luminaries are great for lining a long driveway or a walkway.  You can purchase these from Target or make your own. A close family friend introduced to us to the tradition of lining an entire neighborhood each Christmas Eve. My mom started this in our old neighborhood in Pennsylvania - so beautiful! Buy regular brown lunch bags, sand & votive candles.  Be sure to be safe and careful with these. 

These beaded place mats will help brighten up any table. I prefer the silver. Available at Pier 1.

If you can't tell, I had a successful trip to Target.  I loved the colored Christmas ornaments and bought the blue and silver package.  I have them in a glass bowl on my coffee table and hanging from greens on the railing of my stairs.  They match the colors of my living room which makes all of the decorations tie in nicely.