INSPIRATION: 222 Fifth “Holiday Wishes” dishes from T.J. Maxx
Busy, busy, busy! Christmas is just 3 short weeks away, and it’s a scramble. This tablescape is a cheerful mix of red & black to celebrate the flurry of cardinals settling in for the cold winter months ahead here in Missouri.
(Click on any photo and then click again to enlarge/enhance it.)
All linens on this 48″ round table for 4 were purchased from LinenTablecloth.com. The 108″ red cloth is topped with a contrasting 90″ black square. A black napkin is tucked beneath the charger and casually hangs off the side of the table.
Each place setting begins with a fire engine red acrylic square charger from World Market. The inspiration plates, “Holiday Wishes” by 222 Fifth, add pattern and color with cheerful meandering ribbon, pine cones, holly, poinsettias, and cardinals. Goldtone flatware complements the gold flourishes and Christmas greetings on the dishes. Godinger “Chelsea” collection crystal stemware completes the setting.
The simply assembled centerpiece has a green wreath foundation peppered with pine cones, bright red berries and wandering ribbon to pick up on the design of the dishes. For safety’s sake, assorted sizes of red LED candles fill the wreath’s center. (I am SO banned from using real candles in the house anymore!!! Don’t ask. 😦 )
For extra pizzazz to my Christmas tablescapes, I sometimes add embellishments to the chair cover sashes. Here, a red stretch chair cover and sash from LinenTablecloth.com are dressed up with a length of black organza ribbon to mimic the colors of a cardinal. I then tied on a bit of pine greenery, pine cones, and a single red (faux) poinsettia. This look further extends the dish design and makes a real impact as guests enter the dining area.
Just for “kicks” I want you to see the fun White Elephant Christmas gift I wrapped. The red gift wrap is accessorized with bright green ribbon and the word “joy” spelled out in little crystals. The box is topped off with a glittery red high heel shoe fit for any diva. What’s inside…something equally cool or a dud? 😉
More Christmas tablescapes on this site:
Christmas in the Woods
Tartan on the Tee
Confectionery Christmas
Christmas Progressive Dinner
Black, White & Red All Over
Frosty the Snowman
Checkered Christmas
March of the Penguins
Woodland Men’s Tablescape
Contemporary Christmas – Fire & Ice
Pink & Purple Chocolate Christmas
Black Friday Luncheon Tablescape
Winter Dinner
Christmas Through the Red Door
Sugar High
Celebrating the Season
Roman Holiday
Winter Cardinal
Merry & Bright
Kaleidoscope Christmas
Cranberry Christmas
Cranberry Christmas – Squared
Get Me to The Church On Time
Noel Progressive Dinner
Christmas Fiesta
Warm Metal Christmas
Christmas Coffee
Winter Brunch
White Hot
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Progressive Dinner
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
Tuscan Holiday
I’ll be back next week with a tour of our home decorated for Christmas and a “transitional” tablescape I think you’ll like!
I’m linking up this week with:
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Tablescapes at Table /Twenty-One 
Your gift wrapping skills are top notch Alycia! I love how you decorated the chairs and those Cardinal plates are gorgeous. Wishing you a stress free December. xxoo
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Alycia, your setting is so pretty! I love anything with Cardinals this time of year. I may have to take those dishes off your hands! Lol!
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That is a really fun gift wrap a gift in of itself!!! So clever! Beautiful centerpiece and chair back sprays Alycia. Haven’t spotted a cardinal yet this season but I will look for some at Longwood Gardens today when I go!
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Beautiful! The dark black looks fantastic and dramatic! Gorgeous chair swags! Love it all.
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You are right! So busy…and you have time to show us this fab table! Love the colour combo, so dramatic! Great extra addition having the lovely detail on the back of the chairs. The cardinal dishes are very pretty and the centerpiece is terrific.
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You are amazing! This is gorgeous. I love how the chairs are decorated!! Love those dishes too.:-)
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Boy red is my favorite Christmas color and this really is striking! Love the cardinal dinnerware and the chair coverings with sashes. The centerpiece looks beautiful too! 🙂 The gift wrapped box looks fabulous- love the idea of embellishing with the crystal lettering! I’m voting it’s a teaser and there’s nothing in it!! 🙂
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Gorgeous! I love Red Birds. Such a festive setting Alycia.
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Those plates are fabulous! The cardinal dishes are unexpected at Christmas and that is what I like. The chair swags are so, so pretty. The black and red is sophisticated and urban. Just gorgeous~
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Oh, do tell us what the white elephant gift was–I just have to believe it was something wonderful, or very funny, coming from you!! (Love the wrapping!). Those dishes are beautiful, Alycia, and you certainly did them justice! I love everything about your table, and the swags on the chairs are wonderful! As always, I’d love to sit at your table–with you and two other fellow bloggers–to talk the afternoon well into evening! Would be so fun! And, btw…I’m very impressed that not only is your tree up, but you have wrapped gifts under it! You are waaaayyy ahead of me this year! 🙂 I hope you’re enjoying your holidays; I wish that for you and your family. ~Zuni
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Oh, Alycia, you are something else! This table is outstanding. The colors just jump right out at you and I LOVE the way you have embellished the chairs! It is festive, stylish and perfect for the season. Your guests are so fortunate: they get to experience your company AND and your creative talent.
Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Holiday season!! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch
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Oh, how cheery and bright. You know, I’m going to have to look at LinenTablecloth because you do find some wonderful things there. I love how you dress up your chairs to fit the occasion, and the big wrapped box is da bomb! Hope you are doing well.
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Pretty little red birds. Love the centerpiece, even with the ‘faux glow’ ;), and the chair swags, are the perfect touch with the pine cones and poinsettias. Oh and that glittery red shoe! White elephant gift, or not, it’s all in the presentation!!
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OK, what did you set on fire? Inquiring minds want to know.
The whole thing is very stimulating, and I love the centerpiece idea. Pretty dishes, too.
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Your dishes with the red cardinals are gorgeous…swoonnnn!!!!! The centerpiece is lovely and I adore the chairs with the sash and greenery with pine cones; so pretty and clever my friend! Beautiful as always!
I have a little tour post, come over and before that I had a C’mas table, not as great as yours, though!
Hugs,
FABBY
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Lovely table ! The centerpiece is my fav !
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Alycia, I know I must sound like a broken record, but I love this tablescape. Can I come play in your dishes?? Seriously, we could have some major fun, couldn’t we? Those cardinal dishes are beautiful, and I love the smart red charges, black napkins.
And that gift? Oh my, that would be the one lots of girls in my family would want first. In our white elephant exchange, we get to open the gift right away, do you? And then it can be stolen until all numbers have been gone through. Whoever gets #1 gets to go again – last – and ends the game by either a final steal or keeping what they have and letting the last person stolen from take the final gift.
Busy time, girl, and now I have to go see a 2hr episode of Survivor!!
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Oh man…you really know how to make someone choose your white elephant gift. I do hope it’s a super dud, though. Love the red cardinal table. The chair covers are amazing…
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So pretty and festive, Alycia. That is one cool gift, I think I can fit in it, lol. Love the centerpiece and the chair décor….Christine
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I love cardinals, I love your table, and I love that gift box. I wouldn’t care what was in the box…I just want that box under my tree. Thanks for inviting us for a peek. Cherry Kay
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Now you know the red shoe is mine. I love this!!!! Respectfully Submitted, Sherri Tabron
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Wow, I love those dishes, I’ve seen them before and you’ve used them beautifully!! Those chairs are so cute! You are the most creative person! That centerpiece is gorgeous, too! As I look carefully at it, I’m thinking I might see how you made it. Great inspiration!
We were sick over the weekend (bummer) and I’m a bit slow getting in the Christmas swing but will be working on it this week. Hopefully, I’ll get a table or two done before Christmas.
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Red and black is so elegant for holiday dining, and the dishes are charming. Your cloth, chair covers, and backs really underline the wow factor! The centerpiece is perfect, love the shot from above~ And what a tease you are with the skyscraper mystery box topped with the sparkly shoe! You must let us in on what you will do with that!
Jenna
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The black and red is gorgeous together. I always love cardinals and have decorated with year for many years. The red is always flashy and catches the eye. The chairs are just as stunning as your table, beautiful decorating.
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BEAUTIFUL!
YOU HAVE AGAIN MADE ME OPEN MY IMAGINATION TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THE CARDINALS ARE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO CHRISTMAS DECOR!!
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I wasn’t expecting the black tablecloth, but I love it! Such a dramatic choice that draws in the eye to the brilliant red of the cardinals and centerpiece. Great choice!
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How sharp and stunning! I love the vibrant black and red. Love those plates – and that fat cardinal. The candle, greenery, and red berry centerpiece is beautifully pronounced on the black table cloth. The black add such an element of elegance. This is all entirely beautiful…now, what’s in that box?
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I love the black and red together. So sophisticated you are! I bet anyone sitting down to one of your beautifully decorated tables feels like royalty. Curious to know what’s inside the box. You wrapped it so nicely.
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now who would have thought to do a tablescape based on cardinals? Clever and beautiful Alycia. As the cold weather has settled in here the cardinals flock to my feeders. I will be decorating the outside of my home today for the holidays and even the bird feeder gets a bit of decoration. I know the birds appreciate it…..don’t you? 🙂 Referring to my blogpost, I remember the times when I used to bring yard long paintings on the plane and the hostess gladly stored it up front with her. My husband is on dialysis and you would not believe what we went thru carrying his equipment. Makes me never want to travel via plane again. ugh! xoxoxo
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Alycia, It’s hard to believe Christmas is 3 weeks away, yikes! I love the cheery cardinals with the pine cones on the dinnerware. I love your wreath centerpiece with the ribbon and flameless candles, always a good idea! I’m still fascinated by those stretchy chair covers and equally so by your elegantly wrapped gift 🙂
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christmas is coming so fast! I cannot believe it….Love those cardinal dishes !! The scalloped edges, the gorgeous design. You rocked this table my friend!
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Love this tablescape. Really love those dishes. Very elegant setting. Makes you want to dress up and put on Christmas music.
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Stunning! simply stunning!!! The red and black have all of the drama anyone could ever want in a tablescape. And those chair covers are to die for. Simply gorgeous I say, Gorgeous. Don’t you just love 222 Fifth plates, their designs are so pretty and they always have something new for whatever season it is. I’m heading out to HomeGoods tomorrow to see if they have a pattern that I found at TJ Max today (also in red and black). The stemware is pretty snazzy too, that pattern really complements the drama of the red and black color scheme.
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