‘Tis the Season to deck the halls, as well as the table, so I’m bringing plaid tidings to join a group of talented bloggers for a Holiday Tablescape Blog Hop!
Look for the links at the bottom of this post for more holiday and Christmas table inspiration this week through Friday, December 2nd.
It was a sunny and warm 76 degrees last week when I set this table on our porch. There have been many years when the weather has been mild enough for our family to overflow onto my mother-in-law’s porch to enjoy a meal for the Christmas or the New Year holidays.
I decked the table with boughs of Leyland cypress for the natural, fresh evergreen runner for the table. If you have access to Leyland cypress, it’s an ideal evergreen to Deck the Halls or table with, since it won’t leave a sticky, sappy residue behind like cedar, fir, pine or most other live greenery.
Pine cones, red apples, mercury glass votives and a few plaid ornaments are sprinkled down the length of the table, along with an assortment of nuts, and sprigs of boxwood.
To build the natural greenery table runner, start with branches or pieces of Leyland cypress or the greenery of your choice. I cut 12 -18 inch lengths of greenery to layer down the middle of the table. They’re topped with some sprigs of boxwood, tucking in to fill the gaps. Add your other elements~ pine cones, apples, ornaments, nuts, and votives to run the length of the table. You can also add other natural elements like oranges, pomegranates, artichokes, and hurricanes or votives filled with cranberries, to tuck in among the greenery.
Plaid equals Christmas cheer for me and a red and green plaid tablecloth provides a traditional and festive foundation for the table.
I have an assortment of plaid and tartan dinner and salad plates, collected over the years. Since I don’t have a complete set of any one plaid or tartan pattern, I donned the table with a mixture of patterns for merry measure! The plaid layers are topped with Jolly Old St. Nick to kick off the Christmas season.
In addition to plates, I used a combination of napkins for the table. . .
A berry and pine cone print and paisley pattern, paired with the same inner tartan print to mix with plates along the table.
Beaded wreath napkin rings have an accent of plaid ribbon, purchased several years ago from Pier 1, and still available this season.
Half way through photographing this table, I remembered I had a couple of reindeer waiting to put in their annual appearance. . .
After all, where would St. Nick be without reindeer to pull his sleigh?
Plaid Tidings Table Details:
Plaid Tablecloth / Kohl’s, several years ago
Tartan plates / Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and HomeGoods, several years ago
Santa plates / CR Christmas Collection Old Saint-Nicholas, HomeGoods, several years ago
Reindeer / Fitz & Floyd, 1993
Flatware / Mikasa Cameo Gold
Goblets / Mikasa French Countryside
Napkins / HomeGoods & Pottery Barn
Napkin Rings / Pier 1
Plaid ornaments / Hobby Lobby
Many thanks to Chloe of Celebrate & Decorate for organizing this Holiday Tablescape Blog Hop! Click on the links below for more holiday table inspiration this week!
Monday
Twelve on Main | Everyday Living | Home is Where the Boat Is | Rustic & Refined
Tuesday
Life and Linda | Rattlebridge Farm | Rosemary & Thyme | Living With Thanksgiving | Cozinest
Wednesday
Belle Bleu Interiors | My Kentucky Living | A Toile Tale | Bluesky Kitchen | Starfish Cottage | Dining Delight
Thursday
Citrine Living | B. Lovely Events | Ramblings of a Southern Girl | Panoply
Friday
Celebrate & Decorate | Farmhouse 40 | The Painted Apron | Sweet Sensations
Thank you for your visit, also sharing with:
Tablescape Thursday
How beautiful! How I wish I could find Xmas plates over here in Ontario, Canada that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! But, your photos always inspire me!
Mary, what a festive and gorgeous table…so funny that we both had the same theme. I admire your attention to detail…the natural evergreen runner is so elegant! I have always loved Fitz and Floyd and your reindeer complement the evergreen runner perfectly. There is so much to enjoy about your table, “Plaid Tidings”!
love the spirt of Cristmas captured in the most beautiful way, that it makes joyful the heart.
Lovely! So would you serve your salad on the Santa plates or remove them before service?
Hi Jane, I’d remove them for salad but Santa would be perfect for serving a Christmas Wreath Macaroon :)
Thank you, Mary! That would be my inclination, too. I make all the Scandinavian cookies, and they would be so lovely on these Santana plates. People have always enjoyed my tablescapes, but you work magic! So much fun! Thanks again!
Oh Happy-Happy-Happy!! This is soooo delicious looking…my eyes just danced over the table! I adore your merry mixture of tartan plaids & am pea green with envy over those darling Santa plates. Everything is just so perfect, Mary.
Who’d thunk you could successfully put that many plaids together along with all the napkin patterns? You did and your idea is TERRIFIC.
Love love love the mix of plaid! And your reindeer, I can see why they make a yearly appearance. It must be so hard to pack them away when the holidays are over. They are so cute. You always set the perfect table Mary!
Love, love, LOVE! I have always loved plaid, even my parochial uniforms (maybe that’s what started it, idk). In my early days, it was simply plaid wrapping paper, then ribbon, and now it’s a whole host of items in the arsenal from old (thermos lunchboxes, blankets, etc.) to new (anything from ornaments to dishware, utensils, textiles). Your table is all that and MORE. Love the mix of various brands, patterns (paisley with plaid – yes, please). I recognized the reindeer as F&F right away – perfect. The live table runner is wonderful, and your tips on the cypress are much appreciated. I love pine but that residue is a killer. Happy holidays, Mary, and thanks for always inspiring.
Thank you Santa for the inspiration, it’s lovely!
I’m loving all the plaid on your table! Plaid Tidings, indeed!!!
I love plaids and this table setting is one of my favorites you’ve done. Merry Christmas.
You spoil us (in a good way)! Your table settings are far and above the most beautiful and professionally done. Thanks again for the inspirations.
You make so many hearts overflow with happiness and joy from your beautiful creations, Mary. How excited you must feel about your postings, knowing that they bring so many appreciative smiles. Today’s post is another stunning one! Many thanks again for sharing….
What a gorgeous traditional Christmas setting you have treated us to!
Jemma
Wonderfully Christmas-y! I always look forward to your holiday tables, and this one is perfectly charming! Thanks for posting today, it just might get me started, too…..
Oh Mary, you are mad for plaid! Plaid Tidings make for Glad Tidings, everything looks so cheerful and welcoming! The plaid ornaments in your beautiful cypress runner are just the icing on the cake! Love the napkin mix and the F&F reindeer bring a smile! What a kick off to our holiday table hop week, I better get going, there is still a turkey and pumpkins on my mantel :)
Jenna
Good morning, Mary! Your natural table runner is just the perfect touch for your merry mix of plaid dishes. The plaid ornaments look so pretty on the plaid tablecloth. You always find the best table coverings at Kohl’s! How sweet your happy face Santas look, along with your pretty napkins. Thanks, as always, for your holiday inspiration!
Gorgeous. Love your plaid and those Santa plates are wonderful.
Mary, this is absolutely beautiful! I love all of the plaid from the pretty table linens to the plaid plates adorned with the adorable Santa plates! Your centerpiece is gorgeous and adds the perfect touch to your table!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful table. I love the natural greenery as the centerpiece. Easy and inexpensive! I also love the plaid Christmas ornaments. Did you find those at Hobby Lobby this year? Thanks!!
Hi Robyn, Yes, the came 3 to a box and are 50% along with all the other Christmas goodies at Hobby Lobby :)
Great tablescape, Mary! Love the plaid ornaments in your natural greenery centerpiece. Apples, nuts and pinecones add so much to the boxwood and fresh cypress.Thanks for the tips about greenery. Love all your plaid elements. The layers of plaid plates, tablecloth and napkins go together beautifully. But the Santa salad plates take centerstage.
What a beautiful setting. I absolutely love anything plaid. Your santa plates are stunning. I am sure you can use them on every christmas pattern available. The greenery as a runner is a classic. The setting has such a lovely vintage, nostalgic feel too. As always, your work is superior. I just love each and everything you do!
Mary, gorgeous plates and accessories on your table. Unfortunately, we don’t have natural greenery like you have here in North Texas, but I can see how beautifully it fits in. Every little piece you added is perfect.
You had me at plaid!! Oh I love it all! The plaids are all so perfect!
I am seriously addicted to all things plaid. I love the way you’ve mixed the patterns. This is a keeper post for me, for sure!!!
What can I say…..Just Plaid Beautiful!!! I love plaid. Thanks for the tip on Leland Cypress.
Nothing says Christmas like red and green. Love the Santa plates and plaid ornaments.
Each week you outdo the previous week and the photos are outstanding.
You are such an encouragement to the rest of us in love with plates and tablescapes.
I love the plaid!! And those ornaments are perfect! It’s so fun to see this classic make such a big comeback! Love it! Tamara
Mary – Love your Christmas tablescape, especially the plaid dishes!! Thanks for sharing…..
I’m all about the plaid Mary! Love the mix and match look too-very festive:@)
This is gorgeous Mary. The plaid is such a pretty pattern, especially for Christmas. The centerpiece is so striking. I do adore those cute Santa plates. Using natural greenery is lovely, bringing in the fresh smell of pine. Your style is always beautiful.
What a beautiful post. Everything is so lovely. Plaid is a great theme for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
Marilyn
As a collector of Santas I LOVE those plates and wish I had seen them. Always enjoy a table where you use them. Your F and F reindeer are beautiful, I have a set also but they are candle sticks. I LOVE the live garland centerpiece! May just have to borrow that idea….if I can get ahold of some leyland cypress. Just beautiful, Mary.
Yesterday, November 30, my local Home Goods had 4 of those Santa plates. I hadn’t seen them earlier, but if someone is on the hunt they might find them at their local Home Goods. Beautiful table.
Thanks for letting me know Marie! Readers are always emailing and asking :)
Plaid is so lovely. I love everything about this post.
Joan
Plaid is one of my favorites. I love the idea for Christmas.
Marion
Such a happy scape! Your tables always inspire and I enjoyed this one with all of that wild fabulous plaid. Thanks for the post. Have a wonderful week.
You’ve done plaid to perfection! What a beautiful tablescape! Love all the patterns and textures you’ve incorporated. The centerpiece is gorgeous with the greenery and those fabulous plaid ornaments. Yay you – incorporating those wonderful reindeer into the table setting even though it was later on – they deserved to be there with St Nick!
~Mary~
I would love to pull up a chair at your beautiful table !!:)
Plaid is everywhere this season, and I loVe it so much I even ordered shoes , hehe.
Paula
IN.
I am in love with this tablescape Mary!….Love every inch of this table from the place setting with St. Nick and the layering of the dinnerware. Love how you mixed the different patterns of the napkins. A table that is certainly Tidings of Comfort and Joy with great Plaid!
Oh, Mary, you have outdone yourself with this gorgeous plaid table. The natural centerpiece must smell like Christmas itself (I will remember the tip about Leyland cypress, as I’ve been up to my elbows today in sap, lol), and it’s so elegant with the apples, chestnuts, ornaments, cones, and flickering candles. Love your plaid fabrics and plates–and the Santa plates are show stoppers! I have the same napkin rings and love how they sparkle with your napkins. Your table is inviting, merry, and beautiful. It would be a pleasure to sit down with you. So happy to be playing with you again, my dear!!
Your combinations of plaid just scream “festive, welcoming Christmas!” Beautiful! I’m seriously crushing over the plaid ornaments… so unique, love them! I was halfway through photographing my post for Thursday when I realized I’d forgotten my goblets, lol! Glad you deer were able to make their appearance, very cute! :) ~Rhonda
What a beautiful and festive table. I love all the plaid in traditional holiday colors. The Santa accent place is perfection and I am crushing over your garland centerpiece. It is simply stunning.
Such a beautiful table with so many lovely elements! The garland centerpiece with the plaid ornaments is perfect with the combination of plaid tablecloth and the combination of plaids in the plate stack are perfect! I love the Santa dishes you topped your plates with, too! Oh, and the Fitz and Floyd reindeer, too!!! Thanks so much for being a part of the blog hop!
Beautiful!!! Great minds think alike…I chose plaid this year for my table…I picked up a tartan plaid tablecloth and napkins..dirt cheap at our local Christmas Tree Shop…(shop a lot there)…. my favorite shop!!! Also, found ribbon and ornaments in plaid…I’m hoping mine turns out as pretty as yours!!! 🎄❤️
What a beautiful tablescape–I’ve never seen plaid plates before. Everything goes together so beautifully–you have a rare talent for decorating.
To say this is beautiful just doesn’t seem to be enough. Your table makes my heart very happy!
Love your plaid, on plaid, on plaid! sheila
WOW! Totally love the runner with the apples and nuts. That plaid plates are so cute too. That Santa plate though, SOOO adorable.
Mary, I love your plaid table! I know I say that about every table of yours but it is so true! I would love to sit here surrounded by the warm colors of the tartan and paisley, with Santa smiling up at me and the bits of sparkle from the votives and the napkin rings. So glad the reindeer dropped in for the photo shoot! They are gorgeous too and look like they are ready for the big trip on Christmas Eve! I really do love this look for a Christmas feast. Linda
The plaid is beautiful. Love the entire table look.
I’ve followed your beautiful blog for years, and you are certainly at your best setting holiday tables! You just can’t miss with this fabulous combination of plaids. I’m up to my elbows with Leyland Cypress today, as I finish my interior decor, and you have inspired me to finish strong. I just love your entire table.