Holiday Decorating and Nostalgia

 Santa is back!

 This sleigh has been featured several times on my blog and each year I try to do a little something different.

 Books and toys for children in a more old fashioned way!

 I found a little spot for my giant Santa I acquired from MacKenzie Childs several years back.  I grabbed it when they marked everything down right after Christmas.

 This Santa Toymaker always makes me smile each year.

I spotted one for sale on Ebay for $550 plus $80 shipping!! GASP

 

I moved my little table over to this corner so the tree would have a nicer spot to sit.  I love creating vignettes like this.  

 A nice sunny morning.  My Christmas cactus was moved over here for the time being and I decorated my plate rack for the holidays.

I found the little alpine ski girl at the Lenox outlet.  I think she's adorable!

 At my kitchen sink once again I've decorated it using my three arch piece.  I added some new trees in the metal planters and I acquired two more of the Wendell August Christmas village pieces.

 This is a link to last year's post "here"

 The Toy Shoppe

 The General Store which was my first piece.

The old woody car ornament was just a find at a store.

 The Sweete Bakery

For those of us who grew up in the "black and white" picture era...a little nostalgia look!

 

Sister Jen (on the right)  and me Christmas morning 1958!

Jen and I a few years ahead with our first cat Koki which I adored.  

Ahh..the good old days!

This will be my last post until after Christmas Day!

Thank you for visiting!

 Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!

The Nativity

 I have a new nativity.

We haven't had a lot of sun lately so when It came out and saw it was shining right in on the Nativity I worked quickly to capture some pictures.   Minutes later it was gone!

 I found the 5 piece Nativity set half off after the holidays earlier this year.

 I think they're beautiful and elegant.

 We stopped in at Bronner's Christmas store and I found this Fontanini by Roman, Inc. "Donkey With Pail"

 and I found the lambs there too but they were by an un-named source.

I nestled little broken twigs in with pine boughs for texture and color.

 I found the angel while rummaging through all my stuff that haven't used for a while.  I think it pairs well with the nativity.

 These golden urns were picked up back at the same place as the angel along with the large creamy white ornaments (2011).  I layered two candle rings on them and really like the affect I got.

The two palm trees are Fontanini by Roman, Inc. and are available through the internet.  I got mine at Bronner's.  They do come in various heights and combinations.  I really like them and feel it really made the scene look complete.

I ordered this background arched piece from an online company that took a long time to come in.

Now it's complete!

Though I do love the other Christmas side with Santa and all the trimmings I always have a nativity scene out to remind us what the first reason for celebrating Christmas was!

I will be joining:

Dishing & Digging It

Festive Dining With Nutcrackers (T)

 

An array of sparkling trees and ornaments help set the tone for this festive dining with Nutcrackers!

 

I placed duplicate nutcrackers facing both sides for evryone to enjoy!

The extra nutcrackers can be gifts to be taken home by family members!  The jumbo ornaments came from Michael's and the Nutcrackers are from Target
(FYI- super good pricing at Target and JoAnn's on Nutcrackers)!

 The inspiration for this table started with my new nutcracker dishes.  I spotted them on the Lenox website early this fall.  I also ordered the ribbed red and gold dinner plates to go with them.  I've always had a thing for nutcrackers so this was an easy "yes" for me!

I made a bow with the napkins.  The ornament clustered napkin rings tied in nicely with the center arrangement.

I found these Mozart chocolates from Germany at TJMaxx that will make for a nice after dinner treat.  They are dark chocolate with almonds in the center.  The flavor of these has a hint of pistachio and brandy. 

The red stemware is from Mikasa and the Crystal compotes are from Williams Sonoma as well as the tablecloth.  

I used ribbons to add a more festive touch!  We often serve buffet style from the kitchen so this arrangement can stay put.  This was fairly easy to create and I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you for viewing my "Festive Dining With Nutcrackers" tablescape!

I am joining 20 other tablescape designers for this Christmas Table blog hop hosted by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate  We hope you'll find lots of inspiration for your holiday dining with all the other's listed below.

MONDAY
Home Is Where The Boat Is * Everyday Living * Knock It Off Kim * A Cas di Bianca

TUESDAY
Life and Linda * The Painted Hinge * Panalopy * Corner of Plaid and Paisley

WEDNESDAY
Debbee's Buzz * Follow The Yellow Brick Road * Living With Thanksgiving  
Home and Gardening With Liz

THURSDAY
Red Cottage Chronicles * The Painted Apron * Our Crafty Mom * Celebrate & Decorate

FRIDAY

From My Carolina Home * Sweet Sensations * Mee and My Captain * Zucchini Sisters * Bluesky at Home

Also joining:

Between Naps On The Porch

for

Tablescape Thursday

Christmas Mantel and more...

 This year's mantel still has the up north woodland affect with more trees than last year and a new stocking holder.

 I first saw this stocking holder at Pier 1 in silver but was able to order it on-line in gold.  

This picture is from their website and I wanted to show it so it was more understandable as to what I used.  With all my garnishments it's hard to see mine in full detail.

 I added the red ornaments for a bit more color and the stockings came from TJMaxx.

 The lanterns were up on the mantel last year.  I got the big pedestal piece at a garden center store this year and decided to perch a lantern on it.  The little doll and red stroller were new last year- found them at a neat old toy store in town.  Santa came from Pier 1 several years ago.

 I used a long needle tree centered in the basket this year with the birch branches and red berries.  (This is the living room last year "here")

 The same pillows as last year.  

 Found the candle holders at a gift shop and then I added a frosted candle ring which I think gave it a lot more presence.

 If you've followed me for a while you've seen this table topper, old world Santa and the poinsettia tray.  The picture is a framed Christmas card that I saved and keep out year round.

 I like nutcrackers and decided to group these together with the old world santa and sleigh.  I added the red flowers and greens for a warmer look.

 The one in the center is new.  I thought it was so cute that he was holding a mini nutcracker!

 I snapped a couple more pictures with my iPhone.

I showed the tree last week but the star was missing.  I didn't think it could be added after I had decorated it but Dan managed to do it for me! 

I am joining:

Dishing It & Digging It