Christmas Dinner at Amy's

Just these three words: Christmas Eve Dinner.

Don't they tell of tradition, wonder, excitement and joy?  Our family is all on the same page for this event.  It can be in different cities, on different plates, at different times of the day, but one thing remains constant.  We must be together.  This year, our older daughter hosted our family at this beautiful table.

Each lovely place setting was a treat.  Most of these items were wedding gifts.  Each detail is flexible enough that it can be used a variety of ways.  Here it is perfect for Christmas.

The flowers are simply three bunches from the grocery store.  Cut short, they work well in three footed ice tea glasses.  These are made by Fostoria and called Americana.

I know!  You asked yourself, "What's with this crooked candlestick?  Nearly every post she does has a crooked candle!"  Well, you're right!  But they never look crooked until I post them!  This one is set into a glass holder from Tiffany.  It has a simple painted metal holly wreath around it.  I know, too, that the wick should have been blackened when put on the table, but, hey, it was Christmas Eve and we had lots of cooking to do!

 

On the red linen tablecloth, we started with the dinner plates from Tiffany.  Amy has always loved polka dots, so this fun but sophisticated pattern was perfect for her.  Then she chose Green Panel from Royal Crown Derby for her complimentary pattern.  I only found four of these in her china stack, so I used two of the Tiffany, but after they were washed, I found the rest.  Oh, well!  The silver is by Reed and Barton.  Can you see the dots on it, too?

These Waterford Marquis Hanover pattern of glassware ia a perfect choice for this china.  It has polka dots just under the gold rim.

These simple flowers from above.

An aerial view of the table.

The napkins are from Pottery Barn and nobody can remember where the silver napkin rings come from.  I wish we knew, as I'd like to get her more.

In the breakfast room, a pretty table was set for the children, too.  Spode's Christmas Tree pattern works so well here.  I have bought this for her for years.  The flatware is her everyday pattern, from William-Sonoma.  We all forget the pattern name.  The linens are a reverse of the dining room.

The boys were even pronounced old enough for the matching Spode glassware this year.

The centerpiece was pushed to the end, but it was holly in a French wire holder.  It has four sections, each with a grey pot.

This perfect amaryllis reigned in the corner.  It is in a fabulous French concrete pot. 

Menu:

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Cheese and Crackers

Shrimp Cocktail

Roasted Delmonico Beef

Spinach Noodle Kugle

Tossed Salad with Pomegranate and Apples

Cloverleaf Rolls

Sauteed Green Beans with Shallots

Peppermint Ice Cream on a Brownie

with Hot Fudge Sauce

The main dish can change, but the dessert must be the same!!!  Peppermint Ice Cream Forever!!!!