Christmas Catch-Up

I am so excited to be back at writing my blog again. We finally took my husband’s very belated big birthday trip to St. Thomas last week. This whole pandemic thing truly makes everything so much more complicated. The trip originally started as a river boat cruise down the Rhine River to see the European Christmas markets. Well, that completely fell apart with United Airlines cancelling the international portions of our flights without notification. The second trip had impossible and changing COVID restrictions with non-refundable accommodations, so that fell through. Now after 3 vacation attempts, wheels are up for a week in St. Thomas at the Ritz-Carlton.

The plan was to do all the Christmas decorating and shopping prior to departure. Most of it got done but of course there are hiccups along the way. For example, our Christmas card never arrived from the printers so I am scrambling now trying to send it out before the 25th.

A few other obstacles, but you know what? Does it really matter? Christmas will happen whether we are ready or not. For the most part, it will get done.

Last Christmas, after a year of lockdowns, we went all out in our decorating. The house was bursting at the seams with Christmas decor. This year, after far too many exhausting plane trips to count, simplicity is the key word for the season. And I am realizing how it is okay to have years where you ebb and flow with life.

The Christmas Table

Food-wise, it will be a very different year. My husband recently bought a Traegar smoker and he will be providing the main course of brisket and pork shoulder. The sides are still being determined but I will definitely make this Warm Brussel Sprouts Salad from Ambitious Kitchen. Truly, I wanted to elbow everyone out of the way and eat the entire bowl myself when I made this for Thanksgiving. You can see the recipe here.

We will be eating outside on the covered back terrace as hopefully, the weather will be beautiful.

The Tablecloth(s)

I just love this new 60″ x 90″ hand blocked table cloth purchase from Darviny @dayswithdarviny! It is fun and festive and I am already thinking of ways to use it. Click here and here to see other tablecloths I have purchased from her. You can see her website at justdarviny.com.

Since I do not have table pads for our outdoor table, I layer the table with an antique monogrammed sheet that I scored from a convent in Paris. Then I add a lace vintage tablecloth and finally the smaller, yet colorful hand blocked one.

Hopefully this will protect the table from any spills that occur during dinner. I also like multiple table cloths as they mute the sound of the glasses or silverware hitting the table.

The Centerpiece

My sweet and life-long friends, Mike and Cathy, sent 5 of these wire angel candleholders as our gift this year. They vary in size but are the inspiration to the Christmas table. Gold candles will go into the center and vases of red roses and holiday greens will fit in between.

Place Setting

Large brushed gold chargers will be the foundation of the place setting. Simple white dinner plates with a gold edge from Pottery Barn and my glass salad plates from Leslie Roy will complete the set. Crisp white napkins with a brilliant red border from Williams Sonoma brings out the deep reds in the tablecloth.

I have an abundance of small red ornaments that I will use either on each plate or spread around the flowers and greens in the centerpiece.

Gold-rimmed wine and water glasses, as well as my gold/silver Wallace bee flatware are in keeping with the theme. All in all I think I am well on my way to a cheery, festive Christmas dinner table. Once I get it all set, I will share a photo with you.

The Tree

Generally we get our fresh cut tree around my husband’s birthday on December 13th. Since we were out of town, we reserved a tree and picked it up from Whitfill Nursery upon our return. The tree is up and the lights are on, but we are slowly getting around to adding ornaments. Regardless, the house smells of fresh Noble fir and the lights make it festive.

In addition to the amaryllis holiday arrangements on the living room mantel (see post here), I also added red roses and carnations to my tulipieries on the glass coffee table. The blue and red theme in the living room is working out rather well!

The Outdoor Terrace

As you may recall, we have a very large fireplace on the back terrace. Last year, my sweet friend Chloe designed a beautiful mantel using greens, elk sheds, plaid ribbon and lanterns.

This year I found these gold pinecone trees at Target and added a few magnolia leaves and ribbons. Very different, but it is in keeping with my simplicity theme and coincidentally, matches my Christmas table.

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday

Since I have family in town and will be happily spending time with them, this will be my last blog post of 2021. I want to thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Your comments and feedback are so welcomed and inspire me to keep writing.

I am looking forward to an exciting 2022 with a focus on health, positivity, organization and new projects. Sending you all big Christmas and New Year’s hugs! Be merry!