Saturday, December 26, 2009

A Christmas Table......times two!





We have an annual Christmas dinner with a few close friends at our house a week or so before Christmas day.  The gathering began a few years ago (how many years? I lose track these days...) as an informal get together  of just a few couples who have been our friends since we moved here 15 years ago. We wanted it to be adults only as we have spent lots of time with with these families over the years with kids and this one time we wanted to have a quiet, grown up dinner with good, uninterrupted conversation.

Over time we have begun to include the kids again as many are in college or have graduated from college. So, the no kids rule has been stretched a bit - we still do not invite the little ones, and it is great fun catching up with what all the older kids - actually young adults -  are doing now. Fortunately they actually seem to enjoy us, too! However, the numbers have grown and what was once about 8 people (just 4 couples) is now almost 20.







Each year the menu is different - sometimes more complicated than others. The point has always been to keep it simple and make the focus on friendship and time together.  The meal can vary from chili and cornbread with margaritas and beer, to seafood gumbo and specialty drinks. Knowing exactly how many people is often a challenge as different families have different things going on each year, and some children come home with friends or significant others
(whom, we of course, include!) So, we add two folding tables to our dining table, which normally seats 10. The most we have fit around our make do gigantic table is 20, and this year we had 19. I pull out different sets of dishes and do my best to put together a pretty table without a lot of planning or preparation. This year I found beautiful orange roses and used them along with some greenery and candles. The top picture is the table for the party. The dinner was on the 23rd so I left it decorated for the next night as well!





On Christmas Eve we had some of our very closest friends over for dinner. My friend, Alice, has had her brother visit for Christmas the last few years, so he has become part of our small, intimate Christmas Eve tradition. I was up bright and early on Christmas Eve to continue the clean up from the night before, and re-set the table for that night's dinner. I picked up these fun dessert plates from Anthropologie and wanted to vary the setting a bit from the night before. I love how they look with the roses too! The glasses were turned upside down as I set the table about 9:00 that morning and with kids and dogs and cats running through the house all day, I didn't want anyone to find any strange things floating in their drinks later that night!

Both nights were very sweet and great fun and I am still enjoying my orange roses. I will clear the table later this weekend and look forward to another Christmas dinner, or two,  in 2010, in the blink of an eye, I am sure!

17 comments:

  1. What a beautiful tablescape...LOVE those salad plates!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  2. WOW, YOU KNOW HOW TO PARTY! SOUNDS LIKE A FUN TIME AND I LIKE THAT THE FOCUS IS ON FRIENDSHIP AND NOT SO FUSSY! HAVE A GOOD NEW YEAR..Come say hi :D

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  3. * Christmas/the holiday season is sooo much about love & friendship, family n' friends, and it seems you've got it "JUUUUST RIGHT" on how to make it enjoyable for EVERYONE!!! This TRULY sounds like SO MUCH FUN... ANNND, so relaxing for all by omitting the "big, more complicated fancy meal" and focusing on fun conversation, etc...

    ON top of THAT, EVERYTHING looks soooo pretty & comfy!

    I ALWAYS just L*O*V*E hearing how much fun people are having, & what new and/or old traditions are being shared, during the holidays~~~ Sincerest thanks!

    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  4. I happened upon your blog and have to say you seem so down to earth and fun. What great dinners to have with close friends. Your table looks beautiful! Hope you had a great Christmas!

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  5. hi!!! i'm sitting here with your m-i-l and she says Hi too!! we just looked at your beautiful house and kids and husband. Hope you have a happy and healthy new years!!!

    love,
    Joni

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  6. Mary swears she remembers those white plates!!! hehe.

    J

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  7. How lovely your table settings are. I'm a dish girl (have you been to my house before to know what I mean?!), so I am most especially attracted your your wonderful collection! I love those peachy roses, too!

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  8. Your table settings are lovely! I'm a dish girl (have you been to my house to know what I mean?!), so I am especially attracted your wonderful collection. Fun holiday tradition! (sorry of this is a duplicate, I was bumped off the posting page earlier)

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  9. Your table settings are lovely! I'm a dish girl (have you been to my house to know what I mean?!), so I am especially attracted your wonderful collection. Fun holiday tradition! (sorry of this is a duplicate, I was bumped off the posting page earlier)

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  10. What a wonderfully nice tradition! We also have a group of friends with whom we've gotten together with (randomly throughout the year) for the last 25+ years, BC (before kids). Our last get together was here in Colorado in October. I had five couples stay with us. But now, I want to follow your lead and invite the grown-up kids!! Happy New Year!

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  11. looks great! i went to a 5oth bday party recently, and they did the same thing w/all orange flowers ....it was beautiful just like yours!
    Email me and I'll send you a photo. I always love mixing china, etc.....i think it always makes a table so much more interesting!
    Have a wonderful holiday...I know yall have had the beautiful sunny days like we've had in Austin...I miss FRED. during the holidays, it's sooo beautifully decorated and festive there.
    All the best,
    Jeanette
    jvw@jvwdesign.com

    http://jvwhome.blogspot.com

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  12. That's an excellent reason to turn the glasses upside down. It all looks lovely.

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  13. What a beautiful table!!! Love the colors for Christmas...not your traditional red & green. Very pretty.

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  14. Lovely tradition. Thank you for sharing!

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  15. i had to laugh when i reread the post about the glasses on the table...i have cats/dogs and can relate! I did the same thing!
    Jeanette

    http://jvwhome.blogspot.com
    www.jvwhome.com

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  16. Wow! What a beautiful centerpieces! Beautiful flowers make fantastic mood.

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  17. It's all beautiful Ann! Looks like a wonderful time was had by all! I too love the reasoning for turning over the glasses.. I'll have to remmeber that one!!
    Love, love orange roses!
    j.

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