Tablescape Tuesday

I've always had a weakness for dishes and paper (invitations, notecards, scrapbook paper).  I struggled to pull together pretty tables that went beyond the "normal" placesetting.  I didn't know anyone else that did this.  Was this normal?  I have discovered that there are other people out there like me.  I got the idea for tablescape tuesday from this website. http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com I considered participating, but I figured I couldn't really go beyond seasonal tables and I certainly didn't have enough dishes and ideas to do one everyweek of the year. So, I'm participating on my own last week and this week.

The table above is my dining room table that I've set for the past 3 years.  The presents on the plates contain ornaments that have an interest to the recipient.  For example, Nick, a guy Bob works with, loves the NY Yankees.  I found a NY Yankee ornament for him. The dishes I got in an after Christmas sale at Crate and Barrel.  Yes, I waited in an extremely long line for them, fending off dirty looks and  threats from my children and husband! I also use the dishes for Thanksgiving.  The sparkly round chargers were purchased at Target.  But I saw them for half the price at Homegoods this year.  They had lots of different colors.  Gold Chargers from Costco.  I use Chargers for everything.  They are a really good investment.  They take the table to the next level.
For this tablescape, I ran a pine garland down the middle of the table and added the centerpiece (reindeer topiary, found at Steinmart) and then two sparkly trees to balance (given to me by my friend, Anastasia, that she found at HomeGoods). 

I then added one garland of shiny beads and one of frosted cranberry like beads.  I ran them the length of the garlands and blended them with the pine garland.  The garlands can be found at Michaels and Joannes.  They both have great sales and you can usually get them for 40 to 60% off before Christmas.  Target also has great garland, but rarely on sale.  

I then mix in flowers and pinecones.  You can mix in whatever complements your tablescape. At Michaels and Joannes they have these things called "picks" that are great to add to a garland.  They are small clusters of somethings floral and something else like a bow or a present.  Theses are in bins and range from 50 cents to $3.00 depending on how extravagant they are.  Also, I have to mention that I ran the pine garland on a runner to keep it from scratching the table.  

Hi Mary!

On a different note, if you want to read a really funny story about a dog, click this link: http://nikkicrumpet.blogspot.com