Quick and Casual Christmas Tablescape

 Any college student or college professor understands that the first two or three weeks of December are crunch time.  Exams and projects which have been looming throughout the course of the semester are all due and must be graded.  Any serious holiday decorating must be completed right after Thanksgiving or wait until the end of the term. Unless you decide that you must take a quick break from grading to do something Christmassy (that's a word-right?) and somewhat creative. And when you work from home that might be putting together a quick tablescape. 

I found this cardinal a couple of months ago and knew that it would be perfect for my Mother's Christmas tree.  She loves cardinals.  But before it could get to her tree, I decided that it needed to be used in a fun tablescape. Of course, she needs it on her tree- another excuse to take that break from grading!

These cardinal salad plates are from Michaels, purchased before Halloween. I find that if you need any craft supplies or Christmas décor from that store, you need to go no later than October.  I bought the last four, along with the last cardinal salt and pepper set for a gift. 

I think that these plates could be used throughout the course of the winter as well as during the holiday. We all need some bright colors through the bleak month of January! 

The napkin rings are from my Fourth of July stash, but I liked the look against this buffalo plaid tablecloth.  I put two napkins in the rings just to add some color to the matching linens.  I think I need to practice that technique a little more! 

In the background you can see one of my favorite Christmas decorations.  My Nana made this ceramic Nativity for my husband and I for our first married Christmas.  

It is usually one of the first items I put up during the holidays and one of the last I put away.  You can read more about it here.

The centerpiece definitely needs some work on this side.  (Remember- I was on a quick break from grading!)  The red bird's nest is made of two dollar store trees flattened to make them a little more level. If I were to create a "real" tablescape here, I would probably add some small red or white ornaments.  You can see two of my Christmas trees from this view.  (I may be a little tree obsessed.)

I debated which glasses I would use.  The first set were actually acrylic glasses that I use on my pool deck during the summer.  I liked the red, but I did not like the plastic look. 

I tried a couple of other options.

I didn't like the gold band around my Spode glasses.  It was too bright for this casual table.

The crystal was a bit much. 

My Spode "high ball" glasses were the best match.  Why do they not have a gold band like the water glasses?  Well, that is what happens when you accidentally put them in the dishwasher! 

By the time I got to this point, I realized that I really needed to get back to grading.

Don’t worry, my Mother got her cardinal, my students got their grades, and I am now planning my "official" Christmas tablescape- stay tuned! I hope to share soon.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Cynthia