Elegant Christmas Table Setting
Are you excited about the holidays this year? I know I am, and I'm pretty sure you are too! One of my "new" traditions I began last year is to have a fancy tea party in our master bedroom with my little people. There is enough room for a small table there, and it's a special treat we all look forward to. This year I decided we'd have an Elegant Christmas Table Setting. Because little people love to be treated to our most elegant table-settings, and I've found that they are very, very careful with everything!
This little tea party is really our annual Spirit of Giving Board Meeting. My grandchildren are young, but they are never too young to start thinking about others and being generous. At our special board meeting, we talk about a few different charities and decide where we will donate our holiday money gifts. {Last year we read a book called Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt, about a little girl who discovers that her best friend has no food in her fridge because her family can't afford it. I had each one of my little people take a turn reading out loud, and we talked about hunger.}
They are so darling, last year we narrowed it down to two local charities that help homeless families, and they could choose one, or both. Of course every single one of them chose both, because they didn't want to hurt any feelings. They divided "their" dollar amount exactly in half. :) This year they are supposed to bring some of their own money to the table. We'll see how that goes.
Pam, Mary and I are sharing another look at the beautiful magnolia wreaths from The Magnolia Company we each received in early November. you won't want to miss their posts, because as usual they inspire and amaze with their talent and creativity!
A special thank you to The Magnolia Company for this gorgeous wreath, I received it in November, and it is drying up so beautifully I decided to use it for the centerpiece on the table.
Thank you so much for joining me today for my holiday planning and ramblings. I hope that my little people will cherish and remember these special Spirit of Giving Teas {for Board Members only!} and know just how much I loved them. If, in the joy of enjoying a special treat with me that their parents are NOT invited to, they learn a thing or two about the spirit of giving and true compassion and generosity, my mission has been accomplished.
Thank you so very much for joining me today during this busy time. I hope you've enjoyed this Elegant Christmas Table Setting, for my littlest loves and our By Invitation Only Spirit of Giving Board Meeting! I think for them half the fun is that their parents are NOT invited.
I wish you a truly memorable holiday season, sharing laughter and wonderful, happy times with the people you love.
Be sure to visit my Christmas friends below - I know their posts will make you merry!
This little tea party is really our annual Spirit of Giving Board Meeting. My grandchildren are young, but they are never too young to start thinking about others and being generous. At our special board meeting, we talk about a few different charities and decide where we will donate our holiday money gifts. {Last year we read a book called Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt, about a little girl who discovers that her best friend has no food in her fridge because her family can't afford it. I had each one of my little people take a turn reading out loud, and we talked about hunger.}
They are so darling, last year we narrowed it down to two local charities that help homeless families, and they could choose one, or both. Of course every single one of them chose both, because they didn't want to hurt any feelings. They divided "their" dollar amount exactly in half. :) This year they are supposed to bring some of their own money to the table. We'll see how that goes.
WELCOME TO MONDAY MORNING BLOOMS!
Pam, Mary and I are sharing another look at the beautiful magnolia wreaths from The Magnolia Company we each received in early November. you won't want to miss their posts, because as usual they inspire and amaze with their talent and creativity!
A special thank you to The Magnolia Company for this gorgeous wreath, I received it in November, and it is drying up so beautifully I decided to use it for the centerpiece on the table.
Elegant Christmas Table Setting: Centerpiece
One of my goals for this table was to use the beautiful magnolia wreath from The Magnolia Company. It still smells like Christmas thanks to the fresh juniper, and the gold and muted green colors suit my table perfectly. I encircled the wreath with my favorite faux rose leaf garland, and placed a crystal compote in the center. Right now it has a holiday candle on the top, surrounded by reindeer moss, but for the actual party I will put all the macarons and cookies in this bowl. Because I wanted something white to tie in to the small white Christmas tree in this room, I clipped a few of Mr. FGH's white roses and placed them on the wreath. If you would like to do this, and you want the flowers to last, simply insert them in those little florist water tubes filled to the top.
Elegant Christmas Table Setting : Place-setting
The tablecloth is an antique matlase spread that I just couldn't bear to part with. Over the years it's graced many tables here at FrenchGardenHouse, from wedding shower buffets to holiday events. It's great because it has lots of texture, and is not so precious that I would hate to see a spot or two on it. AND....it's white, so it can be bleached! My plates are stunning antique gilt plates with floral centers, layered on top are our beautiful Arte Italica gilded plates. This way my little people have all the delights of an antique plate that does need to get some gentle treatment, but the glass protects them should one of them suddenly decide to scratch their fork back and forth over the plate. {none of them have ever done that, but still!} On the top are these amazingly gorgeous little antique white milk glass sorbets with gilt rims. Not sure if each one will hold a pretty holiday cupcake or a few pastel macarons.
Elegant Christmas Table Setting : Linens
Antique French napkins are simply folded on top of the plate stack. These antique napkins are large, so that each little person can cover their whole lap. Although I try not to serve very messy treats, one of them invariably drops something in their lap, or opts for hot chocolate and all the chocolatey smooshy stains that can cause. These napkins cover up their party clothes, and I can put them in the washer to come out quite lovely again. They are tough, they've lasted for generations already. Bonus point: it's always fun to talk about whose monogram the napkins might have belonged to. Who were they? How many napkins did we think they might have ordered? Who embroidered the napkins? Or did a bride-to-be embroider them herself long ago? It's a short, interest inspired history lesson around the table. I sneak in some history and love for antiques while plying them with chocolates and macarons!
Thank you so much for joining me today for my holiday planning and ramblings. I hope that my little people will cherish and remember these special Spirit of Giving Teas {for Board Members only!} and know just how much I loved them. If, in the joy of enjoying a special treat with me that their parents are NOT invited to, they learn a thing or two about the spirit of giving and true compassion and generosity, my mission has been accomplished.
Thank you so very much for joining me today during this busy time. I hope you've enjoyed this Elegant Christmas Table Setting, for my littlest loves and our By Invitation Only Spirit of Giving Board Meeting! I think for them half the fun is that their parents are NOT invited.
I wish you a truly memorable holiday season, sharing laughter and wonderful, happy times with the people you love.
Be sure to visit my Christmas friends below - I know their posts will make you merry!
And me, Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
A BIENTOT
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Sarah
January 09, 2022
Lidy, I’m so late arriving at this beautiful post, but life has been full of distractions. I’ve had little time to spend on line, but didn’t want to miss any of your posts. Your table is gorgeous, and I love the way you broke it down to share each special element.
Your Christmas dinner was truly elegant. Happy New Year!