Deck the Halls Part VI--Christmas Table/New Dishes

 Hello readers! Today I decided to post a fun festive Christmas table to show off my new dishes. We received beautiful stoneware dishes for our wedding, but as that was a few years ago many of the pieces had begun to chip/crack. We decided it was time for something new. I knew I didn't want stoneware again, so I started looking at the different options and ended up landing on porcelain for a few reasons: 1. It is durable. 2. I like the way it looks. 3. It was in my price range (cheap!).  After A LOT of hunting, I finally landed on these.

I love how they are mostly white, but with some interest, and I love how they are very modern. In case anyone in wondering --

We purchased them at Bed Bath and Beyond, but they are available other places online as well. We went with B3 because they had the best price, I had a 20% off coupon, and they waived the shipping fee for us! I'm a sucker for a good deal.

Now on to the table design. I wanted a table that would capture the sparkle, magic, and chaos of the season. My goal was to not spend any money and just use what I have on hand.

The only item that I purchased for the table design was the runner for $2.50 at Hobby Lobby. If you remember my tree design you will see why I "needed" that runner when I saw it! It just pulls the two spaces together for a very coordinated Christmas decor. :-)

Everything else is from my Christmas decoration box. I layered the runner with red place mats to form the base and built up from there. I wanted the table to sparkle, so twinkle lights were just the thing.

I also loved the sparkle of the lime green ribbon so I threw it on sort of chaotically. I think it looks fun and festive.

  

The centerpiece is a cut glass bowl I got from my Grandmother for my wedding (she got it for her wedding) filled with extra ornaments. 

Each place setting has its own ornament and evergreen garnish to add some color. 

I also tied a tiny ornament to the bottom of each wine glass. They are all a different color so they can act as drink marker or just  a fun bauble.

For added height to the design I added two simple while taper candles. I kept this simple since the rest of the design was sort of chaotic.

When the lights are low the Christmas lights make all the glasses and silverware sparkle.

It's hard to get a good picture of the sparkle, but I'm sure you can imagine.

Deck the Halls Part III--The Tree!

Well, folks the tree is up! Truth be told, it has been up for a couple weeks, but with finals, grading, and submitting grades, I haven't had time to blog about it. Mr. Mayhem and I love real Christmas trees, and we love the experience of cutting our own. This year we found a new Christmas tree farm in the area, and it was superb! Literally 1,000s of trees to choose from in a picturesque farm near a pond and some rolling hills. It was such a nice day that Mr. Mayhem and I perused for a while before selecting the perfect addition to our holiday decor.

Mr. Mayhem was worried about the tree being able to fit in the small corner where we planned to put the tree.

 

So I picked out a few small trees...

After browsing around for a while I finally fell in love with this one! It is a Canan Fir.

Mr. Mayhem started cutting it down, and I took a picture.

By the time I was done turning the camera off, the tree was down. He is a good lumber jack!

The tree guys had it shaken, wrapped, and strapped quicker than I could take a picture of, and we were ready to go!

When we got it home we put it in the stand...

and gave the bottom a little hair cut...

then we brought it inside

and decorated it!

I love whimsicle Christmas decorations. It adds to the magic of the season for me. The top hat, polka dots, and snow man tree skirt make a fun, beautiful tree.

I got new initial ornaments for Mr. Mayhem and I this year. 50% off at Hobby Lobby and so cute!

We have a few sentimental ornaments too. Like this one from our first Christmas together.

Well, I'm all set for Christmas. Just need a little snow! How about you? What type of tree do you prefer? Real/artificial? Do you cut it down yourself?

Quickest Holiday Recipe: Rolo Pretzels

Watch out folks, this recipe is so fast if you blink, you might miss it. It is an old stand-by, but I have a love for sweet/salty (i.e. popcorn with m&m's) snacks, so this recipe is right up my alley. I'm also not much of a baker so when asked to bring a Christmas treat, this is my go-to recipe.

Rolo Pretzels

All you have to remember to make this recipe is the number three.

1. Three ingredients --Pretzels, Rolos, and M&Ms
2. Three-hundred degree oven
3. Cook for three minutes

 Just put the Rolos on top of a pretzel on the pan and bake for 3 min.

 When they come out all melty, push an M&M on the top.

And you're done!

Wait for them to cool/harden and enjoy!

Click here for a Printable Recipe Card.


I'm linking this the centsationalgirl.com for her cookie party!

Deck the Halls Part II

Mama Mayhem gave me these Christmas wash cloths last year. Not in a here-is-your-Christmas-gift sort of way. More of a I-have-too-many-Christmas-towels-here-you-take-some sort of way. I really have no need for Christmas wash cloths, but I thought I would find something to do with them.

While eating turkey with cousin Paula over Thanksgiving, she mentioned a project she had done which involved framing her parent's original, from their wedding, 40-year-old towels as art for her bathroom. How clever! This inspired me to frame some terry cloth, and those Christmas wash cloths became my first victim project. After a quick trip to the dollar to store (or as I like to call it "the dolla store") to get some frames, I was ready to go.

I used the frame back as a guide and cut with my rotary cutter. (Scissor would also work here)

I also cut around the Christmas designs. Then, layered the two in the frame.

I put the back back on and viola --the finished product.

I think they are super charming and really fit well with the rest of my holiday decor. Here are some close ups!

 

What about you? Any fun Christmas crafts happening? Any unusual materials or sources of inspiration?