Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas Traditions

PART I

I love anything traditional...whether ages old or newer traditions of just a few years! 

One Christmastime my sister P. and I went to a local Christmas tree farm to get wreaths.  She is an Adirondack lover and I have an artificial tree, so we both wanted the smell of real pine.  We had breakfast at a favorite little place that is on the way to the farm.  Well, we have now been doing this breakfast and wreath outing for several years, so I guess it is a tradition...Yippee!! 

 This is part of their display of decorated wreaths that they make to sell.  Some are quite fancy!

This year our sister L. joined us for breakfast and I got a picture of them playing with the restaurant's decoration (can't take them anywhere!!!)
This is a view of the big barn filled with fresh pine trees.  It smells WONDERFUL in there!  We each brought home a wreath and I got some boughs to use on my tables

But this has nothing to do with tables...so Part II of this post is about a casual little Christmas table for two.

PART II
This is an unsparkly, non-golden, casual table for two...

This is in our small dining room at our "cozy" table

I love traditional red and green, but I never seem to have enough green!

We have to have Christmas crackers...that's an OLD British tradition

 Here are fir branches (from our wreath trip) and my folk art Santa..I just love him!

 Here he is, center stage, on the table

Well, actually, our Christmas eve dinner will be more formal, but I wanted the chance to use these wonderful pieces that I have.  I hope everyone's Christmas preparations are going smoothly!!

Now for the dish on the dishes:
  • Toile plates from T.J.Maxx
  • Red salad plates from Big Lots
  • The beautiful red and green center cloth is from my sister  (Thanks L.!)
  • The basket is from a co-worker
  • Jim Shore Santa is from a friend
  • Green "napkins" are fingertip towels from Dollar Tree
  • Placemats from T.J.Maxx
  • Glasses-Waterford Marquis (from T.J.Maxx)
  • Silverplate flatware from Oneida (my mother's)
  • Christmas crackers from T.J.Maxx-so glad they are carryng them...it was getting expensive ordering imported ones from England!!!!

So glad you stopped by even with all of your baking, shopping, wrapping, and decorating!!  Thank you! 
Please check out all of the beautiful tables at "Between Naps on the Porch" hosted by Susan (her link is up on the right of my blog)

I love to read your comments!

Tess

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful and SO festive!!! LOVE that big snowflake!!!
    Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  2. Loved your winter white post too! We had 55 degrees yesterday and snow and bitter cold today! What a shock!

    Your trip to the Christmas tree and wreath barn sounds and smells wonderful. I love the fun idea of a sister trip and stopping for some food along the way. Fun family traditions are the best. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Hi Tess! First I love that your sisters and you go out for wreaths every year!! That's a wonderful tradition I think, and it's very much a blessing from my view! My family is not a close one, so I treasure the tight-knit relationship I have with my kids!! They mean everything to me, and I try to teach them to remember that whenever God should decide to call me Home, leaving just the two of them left for eachother, how VERY important family is, no matter our differences or personalities!... Now before I get all weepy, sparkle or no sparkle, I LOVE your table! I love reds, greens, and plaids, and I think the basket is a sweet touch... Everything is warm, cozy, and inviting!!... Nice to meet you! I am from the "Great Northeast" (N.Y. State) as well, just a little further east! We've got no snow yet, but it sure is getting COLD!!.. Wishing you blessings, and lots of holiday fun in the days ahead! ~tina

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  4. Tess, it sounds as if you and your sisters have as much fun together as I do with mine! I love your cozy table -- the pretty basket with evergreens and the Santa make a great centerpiece, and your layered dishes look so pretty against that tablecloth.

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  5. Oh your tablescape makes me feel merry and bright!

    Seasons greetings to you and yours.

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  6. Lovely little table. I love tradition too. What is in your Christmas crackers

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  7. What a sweet table for two -- I've noticed more and more places carry the "crackers" now. Love the smell of evergreens -- a wonderful scent of Christmas.

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  8. How fun it would be to go wreath shopping with a couple of sisters, unfortunately mine are 1500 miles away, but I will be spending Christmas with them this year! Your traditional table is so bright and cheery. I had planned on making the Christmas crackers this year, but just haven't found the time.
    A very Merry Christmas to you and yours, Tess!

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  9. That looks like a wonderful tradition! Your table is really cute. I am surprised you found Christmas crackers from TJ Maxx, that would be a deal. Very nice. Merry Christmas!
    Sherry

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  10. You're so blessed to have your sisters close to you. Your Christmas wreath tradition looks like so much fun! Thank you for sharing your charming tablescape design. Love, the toile plates! Cherry Kay

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  11. I just LOVE your blog and YOU. Lynne

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  12. It looks like you gals had fun. I can almost smell the pine. What a darling table. Thank you for swinging by to my blog to say hello. Happy Holidays! hugs ~lynne~

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  13. I enjoyed reading this! Made me smile!!

    Merry Christmas!

    Katherine

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  14. Ahh... how wonderful to have your sister nearby to enjoy a Christmas tradition with! Makes me miss not having my sister nearby... Family togetherness is so important especially round the holidays!
    Your table DOES look very cozy and cheery!

    Have a wonderful holiday and thanks for taking the time to visit me and for leaving such a nice comment!
    Thanks!
    Sherri:)

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