I hope you had a lovely time at Christmas. Now that 2010 is just over, I think of what I have learned about Christmas entertaining, indeed what I have learned about life over the past year.
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| New Year 2011 |
Christmas Eve has always been important at my house. This year we were seven for dinner. I set the table with Irish linen, the good china, and sterling silver flatware. One of our guests sent a beautiful oblong centre piece of red flowers and evergreens ahead of time. To make things run more smoothly, we passed around the smoked fish canapés, and cheese appetizers before sitting down at the table. My best beau always serves the drinks before dinner, pours the wine, and takes care of the coffee after dinner. The drinks were excellent, the food was good, and the guests entertained us with their lively conversation.
Of course, there is always something I regret. This year I used everyday glassware with my best linen, china and silver so that I wouldn't have to wash the crystal by hand at the end of the evening, as I am typically up again at 6 a.m. preparing for Christmas Day dinner. I will never do this again because I sacrificed some of the table’s potential beauty. From now on, when entertaining I will be sure to use the crystal because it just wasn't worth saving the extra work. To my mind, beauty must always take precedence. There are three ingredients to successful entertaining: the people, the table setting, and the food.
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| Christmas Eve 2010 |
For the table setting, if I use the best linen, china and crystal I have, there is no decoration needed other than flowers. Restraint is key.
This morning on New Year's Day, we entertained friends for brunch. I refreshed the centre piece with fresh fir sprigs, red roses and lilies. This photo shows the table with a mix of modern and vintage crystal.
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| New Year's Day 2011 |
Among the things I've learned about life over the past year is how precious true friendship really is. I am grateful for my old friends and the new friendships I have made in 2010.
Happy New Year to you!
Your table is very beautiful and elegant!
ReplyDeleteI too love my old dear friends but cherish my new friends too.
Happy 2011 to you
Debbie
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you Debbie! Thank you for your kind words.
Best regards,
Juliane
Hi Juliane, So elegant! Lovely to see!!!
ReplyDeleteThe paneling is wonderful, too! it really sets everything off so well.
Everyone should have a wine and coffee steward!
Loved seeing this.
Warmly
:)
P
Thank you for visiting Philip, and for your kind words. Yes, a wine and coffee steward is hard to find.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Juliane
Beautiful candlesticks. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you LPC. I appreciate your compliments.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Juliane
I love your paneled dining room. So gorgeous. Your table is simple, but elegant with all quality items. A wine and coffee steward... I love that.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Scott
Thank you Scott. Praise from Caesar is praise indeed.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Juliane
Lovely table. You are quite right, with china and crystal and silver all you need is some fresh flowers. Lovely arrangment. Did you do it yourself? I am also a floral designer,so I am curious. As my mother always says, "The food can be simple, but when served on a nice porcelain plate it becomes something more."
ReplyDeleteI often blog about silver on my site The Great Within.
Happy New Year! Kelly
Kelly, thank you. I normally do my own arrangements, but a friend sent one on Christmas Eve from a florist as a gift. By New Year's Day, the flowers in the original arrangement were tired so I pulled out all the original flowers and replaced them with roses and a few lilies as you can see in the first and third photos.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and visit it often.
Kind regards,
Juliane
Beautiful Orrefors glasses you had for your New Years Day brunch. I recently purchased some on a trip to William Ashley in Toronto. While the purpose of my china is casual, you would never know when I bring out the fine crystal!
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the stunning candelabra from Christmas Eve. They are polished to perfection!
Thank you Simon. I love Orrefors crystsl. The design is modern but mixes well with vintage crystal. The candelabra are antiques and are still in good condition because of the care they've received over the years.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Juliane