I conducted a Christmas-themed workshop in early November that forced us to drag out all of the Christmas bins WAY before their natural time. There was no way in the world we were going to put it all back for a couple of weeks, so we started Christmas decorating in time for the dinner we hosted on Thanksgiving Day. This called for a “transitional table” to avoid too much of a clash between the two and still enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas as separate holidays. I did the best I could. Maybe you can glean some ideas for future use!
(Click on any photo, then click again to enhance/enlarge it.)
We set the table into a “square” using 2-6ft. rectangular tables kissed side-by-side. Each was individually dressed in a full-length (90″ x 132″ linen for a 30″ x 72″ table) ivory tablecloth from LinenTablecloth.com to disguise the unsightly legs of the folding tables. Each place setting was simple and in keeping with my woodsy/timberland/rustic theme with a wood slice charger. I used my brown and ivory Alex Piefer Peacock transferware dishes that look so nice at Thanksgiving and were in step with the pheasants and pheasant feathers used throughout the house in the Christmas decorating. (According to a Google source, these dishes were manufactured by the Johnson Brothers in Britain, discontinued in 2003.) I decided on gold-tone flatware to add a bit of glitz to the table.
The centerpiece is what I think turned out to be a successful marriage of Thanksgiving and Christmas: not too much of one or the other. The ivory tablecloths are covered down the center (to mask the line where they meet) with a triple layer of burlap fabric starting with the traditional wheat color topped with red from LinenTablecloth.com and then finished off with a length of Hobby Lobby burlap ribbon that is tied in a love knot on each end. (The Christmas tree in this room also has burlap ribbon tied off in love knots!) I LOVE that red LTC burlap, too! It really keeps its shape and lays down nice and flat! By tripling the runner fabrics, the table is afforded an extra warm and cozy look. TIP: I have also discovered that burlap is very easy to iron. Just spritz with a little water and go for it!
The centerpiece is a mix of white pumpkins, pine cones and acorns casually strewn about. A jumble of fresh, bright red poinsettia blooms, Dusty Miller from our own yard, and snippets of Christmas greenery are stuffed into two rectangular zinc-lined birch planters (with water tubes inside) that are placed zigzagged on the table. In front of each planter is a resting resin reindeer from Tuesday Morning. Birch-wrapped cylinders are filled with acorns, star anise, buckeyes, and cinnamon sticks and placed on the four corners. (Click HERE to see these spice-filled planters used on a recent demo table.) The centerpiece is finished off with gold mercury glass votives and a smattering of pheasant feathers to mimic the design on the dinner plates and the Christmas tree topper. Last, acorn (Pier 1) and pumpkin (Pottery Barn) salt & pepper shakers.
Our banquet chairs were dressed in LinenTablecloth.com ivory stretch chair covers. I made the sashes from natural-colored burlap ribbon from Hobby Lobby. I have discovered that situating the sash down low on the chair helps with a more uniform look and keeps them from going all wonky when guests lean back. (Wonky? Really? My parents paid out all that college tuition for THAT??!??!! 🙂 )
If you missed our 2014 Christmas Home Tour, just click HERE to see how it all tied in with this tablescape!
This is my final post of 2014. I want to wish each and every one of you a blissful, blessed, and safe Christmas and New Year. I appreciate and look forward to your visits and comments each week, and I hope to hear from you again in 2015.
Merry Christmas, and be good to one another.
Other Christmas tablescapes on this site that offer some neat ideas:
Cardinal Christmas
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
Celebrate 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
And if you’re looking for ideas to ring in the New Year with style:
Life is a Cabaret
Platinum New Year’s Eve
Ringing In the New Year
Hooray For Vodka!
White Hot
Linking up with:
Susan’s “Tablescape Thursday” at Between Naps on the Porch (Christmas Day)
Christine’s “Table It!” at Rustic & Refined (starting Sunday night)
Tablescapes at Table /Twenty-One 
It’s a beautiful table and full of ideas. I hope all goes well with your procedures and your “back comes back” in 2015! Merry Christmas — I feel as thought I know your family from all of your photos and stories.
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It was so beautiful and uniquely decorated. The food was plentiful and excellent as usual. How could one person be so talented?
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Alycia, your family looks like a hoot and so much fun! The young man behind you has a funny look on his face and you’re bending over…there’s a joke in there somewhere ;).
You rocked the Thanksgiving/Christmas table. It’s not as easy as it seems to combine the two holidays as effectively as you did. I noticed your wood chargers…I have a few but haven’t used them yet, but you’ve inspired me to get my butt in gear.
It’s hard to believe from your picture that you were in pain. Is acting amongst your many talents??! I hope you’re pain free soon!
xxx
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Love that pink Santa hat, don’t think I’ve ever seen one before! The tablescape and the home decor is a wonderful way to tie the theme all together! You have the best ideas!
We’re going to miss you while you are recuperating! Take care of yourself and don’t push too much, take it easy!
Try to have a nice Christmas! No fun with all that pain! But, knowing you, you’ll have some fun some way! LOL!
Katherine
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Beautiful as always. Love the peafowl dinnerware. The burlap, woodland decos have been a popular trend for this year. Some years, in some families, it’s necessary to combine the Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration. You’ve done an excellent job with this ‘scape. Had you not told us you were in pain, I’d would have thought that you were just doing the front row photo sorority squat pose. 🙂 Merry Christmas! xx
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Amazing! Love the wood log slice chargers. I want to do that! Looking closely you really have an eye for detail. Merry Christmas
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That really is the perfect table setting for anytime from September through winter. It is so elegant in an unexpected way. It is elegant as in the manner of a Lord’s English Manor. I am over the moon on this one. It is also very Hemingway. This is so, so beautiful.
I have the same back problem as you do. I don’t know how you can get anything done because it is just about all a person can think about. I usually can’t get up at all and half to lay on floor with legs up on a chair, feeling sorry for myself, for at least three days.
I have been thinking about you regarding this back problem. Wish I could help.
Ginene
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One of you prettiest tables. I love the rustic look and think the peacock plates are perfect. Take it easy girl and respect that back pain, I know you do, but take Christmas extra easy this year! I have just finished my last of two Christmas parties and have the next two weeks fairly free as we are only hosting a small Christmas Eve dinner and going to friends on Christmas day. I can hardly believe all my free time ahead and do plan on doing a lot of knitting!!!!! I hope you find a lot of down time too! xo and Merry Christmas. Keep us posted about your surgery.
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Worked very well for both holidays.
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I enjoy the woodsie theme and it works well in your home. Your table looked amazing and I love the photo with the family! If you can do all this (even with a bit of help) and your back has been so bad I can’t imagine what you can do without all the pain hindering you! Love the birch pieces and how you filled them. You were so smart creating a transitional table. I like those dishes and with the addition of some red on the table they become perfect for Christmas! Praying for your back to be better and that 2015 will be a much better year for you! Merry Christmas and Cheers to a Happy New Year!
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Gorgeous table,,,,You know without a doubt that I would love those wood slice chargers! Plus the centerpiece..those deer are wonderful!! Great table ny friend!!
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Your creative talent is endless, Alycia. You are so very talented, and I bet your family was really feeling the specialness of all the details. No doubt Ramon and your mom are proud of your mad skills. Feel better, beautiful, and we’ll see you in the new year. Prayers for the medical team’s hands to be blessed with knowledge, steadiness and skill, and for you to have good health replace the issues there now.
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Well, you are suddenly churning out the tablescapes, my friend. This is such a beautiful way to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. All those rustic elements are perfect for Fall, yet the pop of red carries it over for Christmas. I can honestly say that I would use this for either one! I love what you did with joining the tables long-way and hiding the joint with a tripple runner. No indention noted under all the layers, I’m sure. You combo of rustic elements with pumpkins and antlers is a feast for the eyes. Great job, girl! It looks like y’all had a wonderful time together for Thanksgiving. I wish that for you at Christmas, as well…maybe at the home of another family member. Stay down to get your back better. I’m already praying for you during your time away for surgery! Christmas blessings!
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What a smooth transition, the pops of red ate perfect. You proved that Christmas doesn’t have to be all things tinsel and shiny. The pillow on the back of the chair caught my eye and was a lovely touch. I hope as you’re reading this you are comfortable and feeling better. Sending warm wishes and healing thoughts your way.
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Everything is so beautiful, Alycia. I like the natural elements like the wood chargers and the deer and you burlaps. You set the table so beautifully….Christine
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Lovely transition. I do like the look of the wood chargers. Rustic and homey. Your chairs look fabulous as usual, all decked out with pretty covers and bows. I hope you get the relief you need soon for your back. Have a very Merry Christmas and wonderful new year ahead.
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I Love everything!. The color combination is right on! The perfect transition. I love your hat too! Be well my blog friend.. Happy Holidays to you and family.
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Getting your Christmas out a little early worked well for you. This table is amazing! I love the woodland theme, especially the wood chargers and those beautiful plates! It truly is a transitional table. perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas! Hope you’re feeling better and are enjoying the holiday!
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You did it, Alycia–and a very difficult undertaking it is to marry Thanksgiving and Christmas, but if anyone could do it, you could. The centerpiece is a lovely mix of the two, and I think that’s what sets the tone for the table. I’m so sorry to hear of your great pain…what a trouper you are to keep going. Maybe the pink Santa hat is from the Eveready Bunny, because that’s YOU!! I wish you a happy and pain-free Christmas, Alycia! Love going your way, ~Zuni
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Gorgeous Alycia…how do you do it??…amazing table…I love every detail and those chargers are the best!…You had me at over the river and through the woods!..
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Merry Christmas Alycia, and I hope January brings you less pain my friend. Love this table so much! xo
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I hope you’re in bed 😉 not that kind of 😛 geez.
I hope you had some rest and relax after all the run ad trouble you go through the Holidays.
I want – on this last year of the year – Thank You VERY MUCH for all the inspiration, support and beauty you bring into the lives of your friends (and fans ;)).
Love you and Wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year,
Teresa
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Alycia, The peacock transferware is to die for, beautiful! You created the perfect table for Thanksgiving that bridges into the Christmas decor beautifully. The woodland theme is wonderful for Thanksgiving and beyond! The hints of poinsettias mixed with the birch and woodland pine cones and acorns set on a burlap runner is brilliant. I love the overall look!
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I love it!!! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Years!!\
God bless!
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