Welcome and Merry first week of December friends!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
Early morning sunshine casts beautiful light on my dining room table! I am joining seventeen talented table stylists hosted by my lovely friend, Rita from Panoply, to provide ideas and inspiration for your Christmas tables.
Inspiration for my table came from this new April Cornell ‘Victorian Christmas’ tablecloth. As a longtime April Cornell Brand Ambassador, I was gifted the tablecloth and napkins. The top of the cloth is red and white checked which gives it a casual appearance. The beautiful border is a scenic snowy Victorian village with row houses, horse drawn carriages, and costumed villagers enjoying Christmas time! The holly and berries border is perfect for the season! Considering my title, you may have expected a formal table with silver candle stands, gold-rimmed china, gleaming crystal and sterling silver flatware. Those were my original thoughts, but the checkered top lent itself to an informal table!
I love flowers as a centerpiece, but I also love using fruit. It is always available in every season and after it serves as the centerpiece, it can be eaten! That is a win-win!! Red delicious and Granny Smith apples surround a pineapple. Fresh cut pine serves as a nest to place the fruit and provides a lovely fragrance. The bowl is ‘Natale’ by Arte Italica and has been used for several Christmas tables in the past years.
My RM always cuts fresh greenery for the chandelier. We were using Leyland Cypress for several years until it was no longer available. It would last the entire month of December. Now Eastern red cedar is used and it dries out quickly and has to be replaced! That means more work for my patient husband!
The red water goblets belonged to my beloved Mother. There were sixteen goblets and I divided them with my sister-in-love. My Mother loved having people in her home where she shared her amazing gift of hospitality to everyone that walked through her doors. Her guests would have been numbered in the hundreds over the years! The Godinger Dublin iced tea glasses were from Horchow years ago…back in the day when I looked forward to receiving their catalog in the mail.
I had thoughts of snowing the tabletop, but I thought better of it!! It is so difficult to remove all of it. Instead, I used wood slice chargers and carefully placed the snow using a spoon. It still escaped! The wood slice chargers were ideal for a couple of still life villages.
Mother and I were shopping at our favorite local department store years ago and we spotted the little village of businesses and shops. She insisted on buying it for me because she knew I loved it. The Post Office building is particularly special because my sweet Daddy retired from there.
A lovely church sits in the center of this village.
Several darling children, dressed appropriately for a snowy day, were added to the scenes!
A view from above!
Pier 1 ‘Christmas Village Scenes’ were the perfect complement to the charming April Cornell tablecloth!
Mikasa ‘trellis’ dinner plates with Queen’s ‘Seasons Greetings’ luncheon plates on top.
The four Christmas Village Scenes.. post office, toys, pet store, and candy shop!
A little view into the family room with eight stockings on the mantle! From a family of three to a family of eight is a precious blessing!
I love the sweet faces of the children!
In the background are boy and girl carolers that I found long ago in Cracker Barrel’s gift shop!
I hope you will visit all of the links below for beautiful and creative tablescapes!
Panoply – O Christmas Tree Tablescape
Home is Where the Boat Is – Cardinal Christmas with Plaid and Checks
Hyacinths for the Soul – Cozy, Comfy Christmas
Everyday Living – A Victorian Christmas Tablescape
Life and Linda – All Aboard the Polar Express
The Cats Whiskerz – A Christmas Tablescape in Gold, White and Mint
Belle Bleu Interiors – Christmas Traditions
Pandora’s Box – A Holiday Breakfast for Two Special Boys
My Thrift Store Addiction – Secret Garden Whimsical Christmas Tablescape
Olla-Podrida – All Aboard the Christmas Express: A Nostalgic Holiday Tablescape
Red Cottage Chronicles – Ralph Lauren Inspired Tablescape
Me and My Captain – Christmas 2025 The Reason for the Season
The Little Yellow Corner Store – A Pretty Poinsettia Tablescape
Dinner at Eight – A Playful Tablesetting for Christmas
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Oh, Come All Ye Plaid Lovers
Mantel and Table – A Cozy Christmas Tablescape: Simple Ideas for a Beautiful Holiday
Thrifting Wonderland – Vintage Christmas Tablescapes with Thrifted Finds
The Bookish Dilettante – Simple Evergreen Christmas Tablescape
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Jenna, a lovely blogging friend. She was the talented writer and creator of The Painted Apron. Jenna was one of the first bloggers to welcome me as a new blogger. We were fellow Alabamians and shared the love of Alabama football. She was a talented artist and gifted me a gorgeous painting of my limelight hydrangeas! Jenna shared fabulous recipes, amazing crafts, and entertained us with her fun rhymes that often accompanied her beautiful tablescapes! I will miss her warm heart and her creativity.
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you joy-filled days during this wonderful season of Christmas!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
I am so sad to hear about Jenna. She was an excellent blogger, recipe maker, and artist. She will be greatly missed. I loved her kind comments on all our blogs.
She would love your table today. We will miss her very much.
The little town villages, with people and children in the snow, are adorable. How precious that you have it all and that your Mom bought it for you.
Then I saw your plates! They match so perfectly with your tablecloth and your little town villages. This table is darling!
Your inspiration is greatly admired.
Merry Tuesday, my friend!
Nancy, Jenna always commented. We will all miss her kindness and her talents, Thank you, my friend for your sweet comments!
What a charming Victorian tablescape, Pam! From the tablecloth to the tabletop, you’ve incorporated all the sentiment one can imagine with nostalgic scenes from Christmases past. The church and post office are perfect tributes to your family and your values, and I love the library and antiques store too. The Pier 1 plates [sigh] are perfect complements. I love the ruby red and Godinger stemware. I’m with you every step of the way in using the snow (and glitter, I may add). You managed that look very well! That centerpiece is also a Victorian classic, using real fruits and greens. It’s beautiful, and so is the Natale bowl. I love seeing it when you use it. Kudos to Butch on the assist with the greens. Thank you for being a part of this hop amd bringing bith the tabletop as well as the real-life joys of children at Christmastime.
Good morning Pam, I adore your April Cornell tablecloth with the snowy Victorian village border! It’s perfect for your adorable village scene plates! (oh how I miss Pier1) The blue from your Queen’s ‘Seasons Greetings’ is such a nice accent to pair with your plates and tablecloth.
What a sweet little snowscaped village of houses on your tree slice chargers with the figures on your table! Your ‘Natale’ bowl makes the perfect vessel for your centerpiece for your fruit. I love the glimpse of your tree in your bay window with the sugared fruit ornaments. Tell Butch to spray or dip the cedar in Wilt Pruf (or spray it with Crowning Glory) it will save him from having to cut a second batch. 😊
I share your sadness of Jenna’s passing. She was such a creative and kind soul and I miss visiting with her.
As always, it’s a treat to hop with you and join at the table. Wishing you a Merry Tuesday 🎄❤️
OMG, I had not heard about Jenna!! How sad, she will be missed. I have several of her art pieces, including pillows with her wonderful flowers that I got from her Society 6 store. I will miss her! I wondered about why she wasn’t posting, but her blog doesn’t say anything, so I thought she was just taking some time off. Thank you for letting us know.
I do love your Christmas plates!
Jenna, was so talented and she will be greatly missed. Thank you Carole!
I was shocked to read about Jenna. I hadn’t heard that. I always enjoyed reading her blog and I loved her talent for painting.
I really enjoyed your table. First of all, I couldn’t take my eyes off of your chandelier and what you did with it, it looks wonderful! I never think about decorating a chandelier. Second, your tablecloth is just lovely. I thought I knew all the patterns of April Cornell, but that one I hadn’t seen. Being a fan of little houses, I love your collection and it’s so sweet that you have a little post office building and post office on the Pier 1 plates. I don’t know how I missed those considering that I pretty much had their entire inventory committed to memory. I used to haunt the local Pier 1 and I really miss that store.
It’s all so pretty! I’m finishing up my decorating today – which means carrying empty boxes back upstairs. The last touch is to get the Christmas china out, which is my favorite part! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!
Thank you, Leslie Anne. Wishing you a joyous Christmas season!
Good morning Pam! It is sleeting here, and I am rejoicing I no longer need to drive to work and instead can read your blog in front of the fire with my coffee.
Your table with the little village is so sweet, especially the post office. I used to put out that snow too until I realized I was still vacuuming it up in July! Eight stockings on the mantel, what a blessing. I am so sorry to read about the passing of Jenna.
Roxanne, I have been vacuuming up glitter from the Radko ornaments for two days. Sitting by the fire with a cup of coffee while it is sleeting outside sounds perfect to me! Merry, Merry my friend!
I am deeply saddened to read of dear Jenna’s passing. She was such a talented artist and always shared the best recipes. I always told her she should write a cookbook. Her gracious comments on my blog always meant so much to me. She will be truly missed.
Your table is absolutely gorgeous along with the tree in front of your window. The April Cornell tablecloth is so pretty and makes the perfect foundation for your table. The village gifted from you dear mother must me such a treasured memory, and looks lovely adorning your table. The fresh greens and fruit make such a beautiful centerpiece for your table. My sweet friend may you have a blessed and happy Christmas season.
Pam, such a charming table from the April Cornell Victorian village to the lovely Anatole now; filled with fruit. Your chandelier looks so pretty with Butch’ s greens he added. How sweet are the Pier 1 plates. The post office plate is a perfect nod to your daddy. They look fabulous with the Queen’s Seasons Greeting plates. How adorable are the sweet little people on wooden slices with snow. They definitely would make anyone smile. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.🎄
Pam, my comment disappeared mid way through. Tis the season!
I was saying, even your dining room is kissed by the sun! The Victorian feel of this setting starts with that special April Cornell tablecloth. Add in the darling figures and snow capped mini buildings along with the Christmas themed plates. Of course I smiled at the not to the Post Office for your dad. Love the center piece of fresh produce within the Natale bowl. I have a few of the salad plates. Beautiful pattern! Oh, and tell Butch, the fresh greens hanging from the chandy are perfection! Merry, Merry, dear friend. I know you will have more to share as the season continues, and I’m eager to see.
Like you, I will greatly miss our dear friend, Jenna. She was a shining light of friendship for all of us!
So many memories are contained in your lovely tablescape, Pam. IO was so sorry to hear about Jenna’s passing. She will be greatly missed.
The tablecloth you use as inspiration is charming with its lovely Victorian scene pictured on the side. Using fruit was a Victorian staple and works well with this setting. The little village filled with charming shops and businesses and so many memories is a lovely accent and works so nicely with your village scene salad plates. Your guests will be delighted to sit at this table. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season.
Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Pam, I was so sad to learn of Jenna’s passing. She was a talented and creative soul.
Your Victorian table setting is beautiful. I really like the village plates and your table cloth is absolutely perfect! Merry Christmas to you, Cecilia – My Thrift Store Addiction
Stunning tablescape dear Pam! Thank you for such beauty and inspiration. Sorry for your earthly loss… Sending prayers.
Thank you dearest Maristella. I hope all is well with you!
This is the second blog post I have seen that mentioned Jenna. She sounds like such a sweet lady. I know she will be missed, and it reminds us all of the fragility of life and how sad it makes us when we lose one from our special blogging community. I absolutely love your table, and it is really something how you were able to compliment both the casual look of the top of the tablecloth and the more formal look of the sides with all of your decorations, plates, etc. Another beautiful job, sweet friend!
Jenna, was a special lady. At best life is short. Thanks so much sweet friend!
Saddened to hear the passing of your friend Pam.
Sending love across the ocean to you, Jennifer
Thank you, my friend!
Dear Pam, this is such a sweet table with your wonderful memories and stories attached. I so love your village plates and love how you paired them with your new AC tablecloth to welcome the season! All of your sweet little village buildings and children all came together so beautifully. The whole room is magical!
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Jenna sounds like she was a sweet and very creative and talented lady.
Wishing you a hopeful as well as a comforting first week of December.
Sue, your sweet comments are heartwarming. Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas season❤️
What a beautiful April Cornell Victorian tablecloth, Pam, to set the stage for your theme. The fruit centerpiece is such a great idea, and the village plates, along with the village buildings are so charming. I always love hearing about your beloved mother. It tugs at my heart because my mom and I loved shopping together, too. I have a Lady Catherine’s Tearoom Christmas house that she bought for me while we were in Kmart years ago. It’s the little things that bring back memories of our loved ones, isn’t it? Thank you for your beautiful table and for your tribute to our friend Jenna, who was such a creative soul that will be missed.
Thank you, Kitty. Fruit is an easy to do centerpiece and is also edible. Your Christmas house from your mom is filled with love and memories! Yes, Jenna will be missed!
Pam your first pic of the early morning sun light on the table is stunning. I love everything about your table…the fruit bowl, the snow scenes with the sweet little church and your chandy’s greenery. The AC tablecloth is so pretty with the Victorian village along the side. I like to look at the expression on the faces of children figurines and yours are so precious. I can almost imagine I am there with them on a snowy day. I adore the Mikasa ‘trellis’ dinner plates with Queen’s ‘Seasons Greetings’ luncheon plates on top. So pretty.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our mutual friend, Jenna from The Painted Apron. My heart goes out to her family. Prayers for HRjr and all her family, grands and friends. She was such a part of our blogging world and we will miss her. We will miss her art, her poetry, her recipes but more importantly…. we will miss Jenna.
Hi Pam, I am so very sorry to hear about Jenna. I am very shocked. She was always blogging her beautiful creations and her delicious dishes. It is so unexpected and I am at a loss for words. She was truly a very talented woman. She gave so much to the world with her art and happy personality. She will be dearly missed. Pam, I immensely enjoyed your playful tablescape. I am a big fan of red and white gingham checks and your choice of using fruit and those gorgeous whimsical plates pulls it all together and is all meant to be. It is always so much fun to use a playful print. It allows the child in us all to really shine. I adore your little villages. They tell a story just looking at them. The tablescape brings so much joy and nostalgia. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
Pam, Your table is beautiful! I love the new tablecloth. The little village scenes are so cute on the wooden chargers. That was a great idea to do the snow on them only. You may have had quite a chore to remove it from the tablecloth because of the static electricity vs gravity. It seems static electricity wins over gravity on fake snow and glitter! The little people are so adorable! I know the village has special memories because your mom bought it and because of the post office and church. The fruit centerpiece is definitely Victorian. I love the bowl. Your plates are all so pretty! The ruby glasses are nice vintage treasures. I know they hold many memories as well. I always enjoy the greenery in the chandelier. It’s so festive and I know it smells fantastic. While I didn’t follow Jenna, I am saddened by her passing. I do remember her kind remarks on several blogs. She sounds like a wonderful woman. This holiday season brings many memories of loved ones and friends no longer with us. 2025 was a challenging year it seems for many of us, but all things happen for a reason. We don’t always understand it or want to accept it, but God will get us through it if we trust in Him. We’ll say special prayers for comfort for those who have lost loved ones. Enjoy your evening. Clara❤️
Clara, your sweet comments warm my heart. Along with joy also comes sorrow. But we know the end of the story. Heaven awaits those whom have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. That is where our Hope is grounded! Love and prayers❤️
Pam, thank-you for your sweet tribute to Jenna. I am heartbroken!
Your table is so lovely, and I admit that I love anything Victorian. The April Cornell tablecloth is a lovely inspiration for your table. I also like the little village buildings in the snow. My favorite thing is the centerpiece with the pineapple. I love the pineapple for its hospitality symbolism, which we’re known for in the South especially in Alabama.
Roll Tide Roll, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
I love your many plates that you share with us. But I can’t remember seeing this village before. The children are precious. It all goes together with the AC tablecloth. So glad to see your Christmas tree in the bay window. I also saw the carolers in the background. Do I remember that they used to be near the fireplace? You did an excellent job in keeping the snow in place. I switched to cotton in the foyer where I have a credenza that I place a church and other things on the cotton. Much neater and easier to replace at the end of the season. Still much to do here and we are to have our first big snow starting tonight at 11pm and ending midway tomorrow morning.
Alice, I haven’t used the village plates often and I don’t know why. You have an amazing memory, the carolers have sat near the fireplace in the past. I know the church is beautiful in your foyer! I hope you are snug and cozy after the snow!
This is so pretty and I love your fruit centerpiece. The plates are really cute too. Pam this table is traditional and gorgeous. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much, Kris for all of your visits and comments!
Pam, I was stunned and devastated to hear about Jenna. What a beautiful picture you shared of her and your tribute to her. She was one in a million and I will greatly miss her. Like you, she was so encouraging in my blogging efforts, as she was for many. She had a heart as big as the universe. I cherish her cookbook that she gifted me.
The sweet village you have crafted on your table is just delightful. How wonderful that the set came with a post office to remember your sweet daddy. The Pier 1 plates are the perfect accompaniment to your theme (I miss Pier 1 like crazy) and they look wonderful with the Season’s Greetings blue luncheon plates underneath. It’s so special that you are using your mother’s red goblets on the table and RM did a wonderful job with the chandy! The AC tablecloth is so pretty – I saw it in their catalogue that they recently sent out and managed to resist it lol. You have showcased it beautifully. The eight stockings on the mantle are indeed a precious blessing. Merry December Pam and wishing you all a joyous holiday season.
Your tablescape filled with family heirlooms and holiday cheers makes me smile! I so appreciate the stories behind each piece – it’s the best part of Christmas being surrounded by gifts and memories from dear, sweet family members. I think Jenna is decorating heaven! 💖💖💖
Dear Pam, I am so sorry at the loss of your friend. What hard news in this season. I pray God’s peace will fill your heart and the memories of her will be sweet and warm.
Bless you as you grieve . . . and yet celebrate this cherished Advent season. Sending you love this afternoon.
I’m so sorry to learn of Jenna’s passing – I enjoyed her blog very much over the years. This tablescape is delightful! The salad plates are the perfect complement, and I really love the fruit-themed centerpiece!
Pam, thank you very much for your tribute to Jenna. She will always be a bright spot in my life, so kind and talented. I will miss her as well.❤️
Your table is such a reflection of that beautiful April Cornell tablecloth!! I love her linens; they always catch my eye, usually so full of color. You have found the perfect place setting to complement the tablecloth. How neat that both your plates and village have post offices that are wonderful reminders of your father. Your dining room looks fabulous with the tree in the window and the baskets of greenery on either side. Very pretty!! I hope you and your family have a very blessed and merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. ❤️🎄
Thank you Pam for including the tribute to Jenna in this post. She was such a wonderful person. I’m really going to miss her. 💛 I love your tablecloth and fruit centerpiece in that gorgeous light streaming across the table. Love your little village too. So much fun! Thanks for your inspiration, and everything you do in this community. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Pam, Victorian Christmas scenes always seem to be uplifting, with all the greenery, snow and carolers, and I always look forward to seeing them recreated on tables. The tablecloth, village vignettes repeating the cloth’s border, and the cherubic singers are delightfully casual. I love the centerpiece starring a Southern pineapple and apples in Christmas colors. The salad plates are charming. Your family is sure to enjoy their time here, particularly the little ones. Happy Holidays!
What a gorgeous Victorian-style tablescape Pam! I love a Victorian Christmas theme, as that is how I decorate my living room! The way you have combined the rich colors, vintage-inspired decor, and delicate details creates such an elegant, timeless holiday feel. I especially love the ornate charger plates and the romantic candlelight — it’s like stepping into a holiday story from another era. So sorry to hear of the passing of Jenna. I have visited her blog from time to time. Wishing you a very joyous holiday season.