Christmas in July Blog Parties

I'm also adding this blog to Sunday Favorites hosted by Chari at Happy to Design. Since both of these tablescapes are repeats from posts done last December.


I'm joining not one, but two blog parties today. Maggi over at Just Add Glitter and Stir is hosting a Christmas in July Blog Party. And we can't forget the Christmas in July Tablescape Party hosted by Felecia at Playing Dishes. Be sure to visit both of their blogs to see what they are showing off and to find out who else is participating. You will get lots of inspiration. And don't forget to leave everyone a comment. You know how we all love comments.

For my participation in today's parties, I'm going to share 2 Christmas tablescapes that I posted about last December on my other blog Manning Family Tree (which is now my family blog). I've edited it (just a little) for today.

#1: This tablescape was from my first time posting on Tablescape Tuesday, which is now Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. If you have never seen or participated in Tablescape Thursday, you must do so. Every Thursday a bunch of us all over blogland post our tablescapes. It is such a fun blog party. But I have to warn you, it can become quite addicting.

Now lets get this show on the road. Oh, and don't forget that you should be able to click on any photo to see it larger.

This is the table in my living room/dining room. I have it set for 4 as there are 4 people in my family. Go figure!!! The plates came from Ross a few years back. They came in green & a pinkish red. Now I wish I had also purchased the pinkish red set as well to mix & match.

Edited 7/25: Since I first shared this post I found out that I do own the pinkish red set. I have so many dishes that I didn't realize that I had both the green and the pinkish red set until I was rearranging stuff in my attic. I told you that tablescaping becomes quite addicting. I'm sure I will be using them in a tablescape this December. So you will all have to come back then to see.


My centerpiece is a glass cloche set on a Christmas plate cake stand that I made. I filled the cloche with medium & large jingle bells. I love jingle bells. I then put a Christmas candle ring at the base. Then I made a wreath out of sparkly greenery that I purchased last year from Brylane Home on clearance. It is actually a swag, but I made a circle out of it & used twisty ties to keep it all together. The crystal candlesticks came from my mother in law. The candle rings on the candlesticks I purchased at a dollar store a few years back.
The red table runner came from the Dollar Tree store last year or the year before. My memory is terrible.


The cream colored place mats have snowflakes on them & came from Walmart last year on clearance. The napkins are from the Dollar Tree. My silverware from Big Lots. The crystal glasses came from Amvets Thrift Store (my favorite thrift store when I lived in San Diego).
I got the Santa hats last year at Target on clearance. I thought they looked real cute on the edge of the chair. What do you think?

The red Santa pants at each setting came from my work party last year. They were filled with candy. I had planned on doing the same before taking the photos, but ran out of time.This is not part of my tablescape, but part of my nativity in my family room. I just like to remind everyone the true reason we celebrate Christmas and that Christ should always be the center of our home.
As you can see, I enjoy clearance sales, thrift stores & the dollar stores. I love getting a bargain & have a hard time passing up one. I hope you enjoyed my tablescape.

And now for tablescape #2:

This tablescape was the 2nd time I participated in Tablescape Tuesday (which is now Tablescape Thursday). This Tablescape would work not only for Christmas but for New Years as well.

My hubby gave me some new dishes for Christmas, so I thought I would do my tablescape in black, cream & silver. Let me know what you think.

I used my winter white snowflake place mats from Walmart (same ones as in tablescape #1). I really didn't have any tablecloths when I first posted this except for white & burgundy. So I opted to just use the place mats on the wood table. The big silver ornaments placed at each setting came from a boutique store last summer while we stayed in Cave Creek Arizona. I got them on clearance. They were 90% off. My kind of deal!!!

I used my thrift store crystal water goblets and champagne flutes. They don't all match, but that is OK with me. I love them all.


The flatware is by Oneida. The pattern is Michelangelo. I purchased the set from Montgomery Wards years ago. This is the silverware set that we use everyday. I need to find some more forks (reasonably priced). I used to have setting for twelve, but about 1/2 of my forks are missing. I'm pretty sure they ended up in the trash along with empty food boxes from our favorite Mexican take home restaurant. The kids hate using the plastic forks they give you. I guess I should have been doing a silverware check all these years.

These are my new plates that my hubby gave me for Christmas (I picked them out at Costco). They are by Spode (I love Spode). The pattern is Delamere, in black. I didn't need any new plates, but I am a plateaholic. There I admitted it. I have a problem. But obviously I am not alone, that is why all of you are here looking at my post isn't it? We are all plateaholics, or should it be dishaholic? Either way, it's an addiction. An addiction that I personally love.

For my centerpiece I used an old silver tray I purchased at the thrift store. I placed on the tray my silver mercury trees. The tallest one I bought at Walmart last in 2007 I believe. The shorter one in the back came from Marshall's in 2008. I got it on clearance before Christmas. The tree in the front my dear hubby bought for me at Lowe's on clearance right before Christmas for $2.50. That was the best deal on the trees. I can't remember where I got the Mercury glass candle holders. They have snowflakes etched on the side. I then sprinkled sparkly snow & then placed some fake Mercury glass ornaments that I bought on clearance at Target last Christmas. I love how most of the stores clearanced out their Christmas items before Christmas. Got to enjoy everything for current Christmas & didn't have to wait for next.
You can see the etched snowflake in the mercury glass candle holder in this photo.


This photo was taken with the flash off.


Close up of my crystal goblets & flutes.

Here is a closeup of my new plate. It came in brown, blue, black & red. Since I am a black & white toile fan, I chose the black. My hubby got me a place setting for 4. He also got me the accessory bowl, platter & gravy boat that matched as well. I then went back to Costco after Christmas & used some of the money my son gave me for Christmas & purchased another 4 place setting. So now I have enough plates for 8 people. I could actually have a party & invite other people. Want to come? You just need to bring the food. I don't like to cook much.

It has been fun decorating my table & sharing with you all. I love looking at the tablescapes & decor you all have created as well. I love all the sharing that goes on in blogland. I'm one of these people who when I take a walk, I hope that window shades are left open as I walk by so I can peek in other peoples homes to see how they are decorated. And that is why I love blogging. I get the thrill of peeking into peoples homes but I don't have to exercise in the process. Pushing buttons on the computer is my kind of exercise.

Well thanks for stopping by & viewing my two Christmas tablescapes. Now be sure to visit the 2 blog parties to see all the fabulousness (my new made up word) going on around blogland. But don't leave without leaving me a comment. You know I love to hear from you. Which tablescape do you like best?

Kim

Added at 1:30am Sunday 7/26: If you need more to get you in the Christmas mood, you can see my Christmas decor from last year by clicking here. And if you still crave more, head on over to my family blog Manning Family Tree to see my Christmas Past post as well as my close encounter with Santa story.