A Christmas Dinner

Earlier this week, Justin and I had the honor of hosting his business forum and their spouses in our home for a Christmas Dinner.  Because we were twenty people, I had a chance to try a set up that I hadn’t attempted before!  We moved all of the furniture out of our living room and set up two “king’s tables” from Posh Couture Rentals and covered them in peacock blue velvet tablecloths.  We brought our dining chairs in and supplemented with a few rental chivari chairs to meet our numbers.

I don’t have very many china patterns in quantities that were large enough but, between my mother and I, I was able to pool enough together!

Every year, Versace designs and releases a new Christmas Themed Service Plate and my mother, every year, puts one under the tree for me.  I have collection going back to 1998 and this seemed like a great time to use them.  Every setting had a different charger plate and it started conversation from the moment we took our seats.  I’ve shared photos of all of the years that I have below!  I was even able to find some avalible to purchase so click on the year to follow the link if you are interested.  I realized that I am missing 2003, 2013 and 2018 so I will have to starting hunting for those!  I have 2008 and 2009 but they have a slightly different shape and are more like a serving tray so I left them out.  I had to borrow a few extras from my  mother to fill in but we were able to get 20!

I also borrowed my mother’s Waterford Lismore Glasses.

The monogrammed napkins are from Halo Home by HL.

Down the center of the table, I placed sets of three of the candlesticks I used for Justin’s birthday celebration last year. I used white candles for his dinner at the French Room but I replaced them for gold taper candles for a more festive look on this holiday table.

I scored an incredible collection of Vintage Victorian Beaded Ornaments at an estate sale and laid them down the center of the table.  One guest commented on the happy memories they brought him of his mother’s Christmas Tree growing up.  I’ve sourced loads of them below!  If you are a collector or are interested in starting a collection, check out the links.  There are some great prices and some intricate designs linked here.

We topped of each of the place settings with a party favor, a box of Whitman’s Chocolates wrapped in gold and tied with a peacock velvet ribbon.  There is no relation to my husband’s family but wouldn’t it be “sweet” if there was?!?

We finished the evening with a traditional French bouche de Noël.

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2005

2006

2007

2010

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019