A Pleasure to Serve at Christmas

I adore Christmas.  I adore entertaining, and the Christmas season is definitely my favorite time to entertain during the year.  The Garden Friends party was on Wednesday, and it is now Saturday night.  Come on into our Christmas house.


The first thing that will greet you is the Simpich Nativity.  I've been assembling the creche and its denizens for many decades.  It's always the first of our Christmas decorations to make an appearance.


New to our home this year, this amazing Santa is a creation designed by my dear creative friend and talented artist Judy Kline from Helena, Montana.

                         
Isn't he beautiful!  Ensconced on the center foyer table, Santa graciously welcomed our guests throughout the holidays and this special evening.  Sweet Mister requested that we invite our church pastors, staff, and their spouses for a Christmas dinner, which the two of us would serve.  I agreed that it was a wonderful idea, so on this night I set two tables for 15.  We'll begin in the dining room.

 I love the wonderful ribbon choices that are available these days.  Something perfect for every season...and for the entire Christmas season!

 A couples evening, I wanted the table to be appropriate for the men and the women...I wanted it to speak of comfort and relaxation.  Christmas is such a busy busy time for each one who is called to serve in our churches.  I wanted our church ministry group to be able to just stop, take a breath, and enjoy each others company.  Plaid sent the message perfectly.

 Come into the living room with me...

 I set the games table for five guests...

 ...with a view of the tree and the fireplace.


 Meanwhile, back in the dining room...

 I warned you that you were going to see the Pottery Barn hurricanes numerous times this season.

 The hurricanes brought to mind the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check charger plates.  Tonight I paired the charger with the Spode Christmas Tree.  The flatware is the L'Argent Sophia gold.

 The Vietri green and the Lenox Holiday Gem red goblets held water and iced tea.

 There was plenty of laughter...good food...and good fellowship this evening, and our guests lingered after dessert to visit and relax.  Sweet Mister and I were truly blessed to serve our guests this special evening.

The Simpich Elves, who live under the piano during the holidays, kept watch over the entire evening.   I think that they were pleased with the way the dinner went, too.  They advised me that we needed to have our next table set for the following Monday.  Stay tuned!  I'll be back!

In case you missed my post earlier this week and would like to see it, click here.

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch