adding texture to your holiday table.

Setting the table is one of my favorite parts of holiday prep.  My mom always set beautiful tables when we were growing up.  I came from one of those homemaker extraordinaire types, which has given me a lot to strive for domestically.  And while, for a good deal of my life I’ve felt incapable of measuring up to my amazing mother, most of the time I’m incredibly grateful for the creative seeds my mom planted in me.  As I’ve come into my own as the queen of my particular castle-er house, I’ve discovered my own unique style and flare for holidays.   When I’m setting my holiday table, I like to use the dishes that I already have.  I have a large set of mis-matched dishes (two in each style) in different colors (red, yellow, blue…) that I like to use most of the time, but  this Christmas I settled on our everyday powder blue dishes.  I love to employ colors that don’t necessarily scream Christmas, but more hint at it.  And to me, soft blues and deep reds feel very holiday.  I’m a big believer in textures, especially natural textures, which is why I love using burlap and twine when I decorate.  A simple strip of burlap works wonders as a table runner, and is an inexpensive addition to the table.  I love staying away from table cloths and letting the beauty of the wood-grain speak for itself.  (Mr. built me this table and I love it a lot)  This year I found a spool of raffia twine at TJMaxx and I swear I almost died where I stood.  I knew it had to come home and adorn the pomegranates on our Christmas table.  Which is another thing I love to add, fresh fruit.  For Thanksgiving I filled the water pitcher with fresh cranberries and mint, our Christmas table plays host to happy little pomegranates.  Candles, scrap fabric knots and real cloth napkins round out the table and are also easy and inexpensive additions.  For drink wear, I oscillate between using good-old canning jars, and my inherited set of goblets.  As you can see, I was feeling a little fancy this year.

I hope you enjoyed seeing our holiday table and that it inspires you to look around at what you already have and turn it into something extraordinary and also, uniquely you.

Merry Christmas!  Isn’t this the most wonderful time of year?