Merry Friday!
Are you making your list and checking it twice?
It’s only three more sleeps until Christmas!
I have one last Christmas table to share that’s fitting with Santa on his way!
It features Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas and Father Christmases collected over 30 years.
I’ll share a little history and then keep words to a minimum,
then let the photos speak for themselves as you scroll!
Vaillancourt Folk Art was born from artist Judi Vaillancourt’s love for antiques and Christmas.
She adapted the Victorian art form of chalkware using her own process,
pouring liquid chalk into vintage confectionery molds and
applying her fine-art skills to the resulting three-dimensional canvas.
I was charmed by the beautiful hand painted details on these Father Christmas figures
created from vintage confectionery and chocolate molds and have
collected Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas since the early 90s.
Vaillancourt’s personal collection of antique chocolate molds
has expanded from 3 in 1984 to 3,000 today.
Still painstakingly crafted in Sutton, Massachusetts,
the typical Vaillancourt Folk Art piece takes 16 people / artisans 3 weeks to create!
If interested, you can read more about the history of Vaillancourt, here.
Santa’s on his way at the table, featured in the licensed art designs of Lisa Audit for
Certified International Christmas Story plates.
The salad plates are served on Woodland Berry Chargers from Williams-Sonoma,
purchased several years ago, and red beaded placemats to add some sparkle.
Santa comes bearing a wreath. . .
A tree . . .
A lantern to light his way. . .
And poinsettias.
The napkin rings are two different patterns, a pine cone design,
paired with a beaded wreath napkin ring with an accent of plaid ribbon.
Wallace Gold Accent Corsica Flatware
adds more plaid details to the table.
My Lynch Creek Farm Centerpiece got yet another tweak, with
Father Christmas sitting atop a plaid plate for stability.
It’s nested in a wood bowl to add some warmth and to pair with natural pine cones.
Beaded garland swags through the centerpiece and down the length of the table,
through the greenery on the table, among the Santas and festive wrapped chocolates.
Table Details:
Santa 9″ Salad/Dessert Plates, Christmas Story Certified International
Santa Chocolates / House of Dorchester, TJ Maxx
Woodland Berry Chargers / Williams-Sonoma, several years ago
Red Beaded Placemats / Kohl’s, several years ago
Wallace Gold Accent Corsica Flatware
Napkin Rings/ Pier 1 and HomeGoods
Napkins / Pottery Barn and HomeGoods
Red Goblets / Mikasa French Countryside
Tartan Throw / HomeGoods
Beaded Garland, retail days
If I don’t see you again before Christmas Day,
May all your wishes & dreams be delivered by sleigh!. . .
. . .Or motorcycle. ;)
Merry Christmas!
🎄 🎄 🎄
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Tablescape Thursday
Hi Mary! I’m just finishing that 2nd cup of coffee with your blogs; holiday cookies, the fishing Christmas tree, and now your beautiful father Christmas photo layout. Your blogs often brighten my day, its a joy to have them to read with all the stunning photos to look at. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year!!
Mary, thank you for such a beautiful, informative post! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Vaillancourt Chalkware Santa’s! Where have they been all my life? This may be my favorite tablescape, yet!
Merry Christmas!🎅🏻🌲🎅🏻
Mary, another delightful table! Thank you for sharing your lovely collection of Santas. I love reading the story of the Vaillancourt Father Christmas collection. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!
When I was getting married I received a beautiful cut glass oval bowl. I didn’t know that it had a particular use for many years. We had company from England and they remarked on my lovely Trifle Bowl. Until then, I had no idea!
They gave me the recipe for English Trifle and it’s been my holiday dessert ever since. I think my family would be disappointed if I didn’t serve Trifle.
Beautiful collection and table! I hope you all. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Mary,
What a wonderful post! I enjoyed every bit of it from all the gorgeous pictures to the wonderful info you shared…The Santa’s are lovely and I adore those dishes!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you again for sharing another Santa!! MERRY CHRISTMAS MARY!!! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Beautiful table setting with the Santa’s. An antique dealer in Raleigh, NC made Old World Santa’s out of chalkware years ago. I started buying them in the 80’s from her. Her dining room cabinet and kitchen was decorated so pretty with the Santa’s. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thank you Mary for always sharing interesting and beautiful Christmas joy!
I can’t tell you how much your beautiful stories, photos and interesting knowledge add to our happiness. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy healthy New Year❣
Love the Santas! The plates are so pretty paired with the berry chargers. The chalkware Santas are truly a work of art. They are beautiful. They remind me of the era where we all, at some point, with tried ceramics or pottery. These, however, are truly collectibles! I have never heard of them. I enjoyed reading their story. Merry Christmas Mary to you, the sweet girls and your family! Clara❤️
Mary, your Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas are so unique and beautiful! I don’t remember seeing them before I will be clicking on the link to read more about the history, thank you. I think my favorite is the one with Santa putting toys down the chimney. I hope your Christmas is very Merry, Happy Happy Holidays!
Jenna
I so love the history of your collecting, so many wonderful memories over the test of time. Adore your Santa plates, but what spoke to me most was your last photo ❤❤❤ 🙏
Merry Friday🎅🏻🎅🏻 This is a beautiful table setting! I love the Santa plates and all of the stunning details on your tabletop. I remember the Vaillancourt Chalkware from the days of Country Home magazine! I am totally smitten with your collection 🎅🏻❤️🎅🏻 Wishing you the merriest Christmas, Mary ❤️
Oh, wow, Mary. Your Vaillancourt collection of Santas is amazing, and the table so fit for it with those new Santa plates (❤️❤️). I don’t remember you ever sharing this collection, and I wasn’t aware of the folk art tradition in MA. Loved the video. That Lynch Creek centerpiece is pretty darn amazing too. Your winter tables are truly some of my favorites, and this one gives me all the feels of Christmases of old. I love Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you, Mary, for your wonderful blog. It brings me so much happiness and joy. Your are incredibly talented. I enjoyed your Santas and learning about them. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Mary! I love santas and your Chalkware santas are beautiful. Each one is a work of art. So much exquisite detail. Thank you for sharing your collection. It’s so nice to take a few moments out of the day to feast the eyes!
I hope you and your family and doggies have a wonderful Christmas. Can’t wait to see what’s up for next year!
Mary ~ Wishing you and yours a blessed and special Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024. Looking forward to more of your fabulous blog to come. Hugs, Dorinda Selke
I always look forward to your posts…they are all my favorites!
I have several chalkware and imposter Santa’s but have 2 small Vaillancourt that were a splurge in the 90’s…my treasures!
This year has been stressful, but a break to read and savor your posts is a much appreciated delight!
You’ve surprised us with a whole new collection, and even better, it spans 30 years of collecting and careful preservation. Now I’m wondering how many other collections you may have that we haven’t yet seen, and that makes me excited for a new year of your posts! I had never heard of this artist and your sizable collection is a nod to the breadth of the artist’s work. The Christmas Story plate with Santa holding a container of poinsettias and reading ‘Welcome Home’ is certainly the loveliest sentiment of the season! Overall, such a cozy and inviting table that anyone would love to enjoy!
What a great collection and interesting story! Beautiful table as always. Merry Christmas, Mary. Good health in 2024!
I love everything you do. Merry Christmas can’t wait to see what’s next!
Oh, Mary. I learn something new every time I read your blog. I never even heard of these pieces. Such interesting history. And your table looks so special!!! Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you!!
Merry Christmas Mary! I don’t believe you have ever shared your chalkware Santas before. They are very unique. This is another beautiful table setting. Enjoy your holidays!
Thanks for sharing your collection with us
I enjoyed the video very.much. “Buy American”
I love the Santa’s faces on the plates. It’s been a hard year and your blog cheers me up every time. Your photography is unmatched. Looking forward to the winter tree and next year’s tablescapes and recipes.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a better New Year.
I have learned something new today… because of you! And now I will be on the lookout for Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas.
Another beautiful table.
I thoroughly enjoy looking at your gorgeous photos! Thank you!
Merry Christmas, Mary!
Mary, this table brings me so much joy on this foggy winter’s morning. Your Santa collection is wonderful, and I enjoyed reading about the history of them. I am quite smitten with the Santa plates as well. Everything looks just beautiful! Sweet friend, may you have a most Merry Christmas and healthy and happy New Year!
Mary, your Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas are so pretty and I love the history you shared about them. How special to collect these pretty Santa’s. The santa plates are lovely and so festive. The chocolates look so old world. Such a pretty table. Merry Christmas.🎄🎅
Oh Mary, I missed this post with all the Christmas activities. Your chalkware Santas are just darling! I don’t ever remember you sharing them, but maybe I’ve forgotten. I love all the detail and how pretty they look on your table. Your Santa plates are beautiful on your tartan clad table with your twinkling tree. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! ❤️🎄❤️
Mary, Everything that you do is lovely, I go back to your posts over and over. Thank you for the peaceful beauty in our turbulent world. Happy New Year.
Mary, not sure how I missed this wonderful post before Christmas, but happy it finally popped up in my feed. This is one of my favorites, though I know I often say those words! I adore your collection of Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas. I have one or two from many years ago. I’ve long admired them, and a close friend’s mother was friends with Judi Vallencourt, so my friend has a beautiful collection. A local artist, Judie Tasch, was a contemporary of Judi Vallencourt’s 1980 folk art trend. I have one of Judi Tasch’s Santa and a few of her folk art dolls. How I loved the wonderful folk art pieces being produced by talented artists at that time. I admire the way you have featured your collection and the beautiful table you have set. I’m pinning away as I scroll up and down this wonderful post Christmas gift you have given me! I hope you have enjoyed the holidays, perhaps with a get away to visit your mom and sister or perhaps just a couples retreat to the mountains. Thank you for enriching my life with your friendship all these years as one of my all time favorite blogging buddies. Happy New Year! All the best in 2024!