Soldiers On Guard Table

The new dining room needed some new decor

for Christmas.  Everything was so fresh and clean

and I was looking for something to go with

that look.

You know how it is when you see something

that just calls your name?  These soldiers in

silver and white did that to me.  Their huge

size was perfect for the dining room table.  I

could envision them right away.

Some people complain about beginning

Christmas shopping early in the season, but

as you have probably found, if you don't get it early,

it will be gone.   I found these fabulous tin soldiers in

silver and white, the fur runner, and the

jeweled candle holders early in the season.

I went back the next week, and it was all gone.

Whew!  Glad I didn't hesitate to think about them.

I love to leave my table settings up during the

holidays as part of the Christmas decor.  So

in this room, with the new purple banquettes and chairs,

it had to be a placesetting with a touch of purple.

The plate stack was placed on an inexpensive square

mirror as the charger.  You can find these for about

$5 at Michaels.  

The dessert plate is purple glass, to pick up

the purple in the room.  The napkin sits on it

with a snowflake jeweled napkin ring.

I chose my Aunt Ionia's beautiful sterling,

as her house was always the setting for

Christmas Eve dinner, which was formal,

with china and goblets and silver for 30.

I definitely gained my love of setting a nice

table from her.  Blogging has helped me see

more clearly why I have some of the traditions 

I have.

Everyone has a deep purple and clear goblet

at their placesetting.  Although we don't drink

alcohol, we love a lot of the sparkling beverages.

Our favorite is Welches Sparkling Pina Colada.

It is hard to find, but I happened on a few at

Wal Mart.  My daughter was able to order

some with Wal Mart's grocery pick up service.

It is just light and refreshing.

The clear stemware is from the Dollar Tree.

I needed 22 of them last year, and was thrilled

to get them for only $1 each.  The purple ones

were a bit pricier from Spiegel years ago.

I just love the purple, white, and crystal

up against the snowy background of the fur runner.

Loving fur this year.

Each bowl holds a special glass ornament.

These snowy white trees with mercury silver

candle holders anchor one end of the table.

The other end is anchored by this sparkling

cone tree.  The trees were finds at Michael's this year.

The newly painted hutch has touches of crystal

and purple too.  A purple tabletop tree that I made

a few years ago sits next to it.

And this gorgeous Nativity is the center of attraction.

Thanks for coming to see my dining room table and decor

for Christmas.  I love it so much, I will be tempted

to leave it up long past Christmas!

I will be posting this with

Tablescapes Thursday