Welcome to the Amazing Creators Holiday Blog Hop! As a special treat today, I am joining together with a group of my friends to share an abundance of Holiday ideas! From recipes to decorating ideas to tablescapes and more, I know you will find ideas and inspiration for your holiday celebration! Once you are finished visiting everyone, you will have a sleigh full of holiday ideas!
Nothing says ‘Welcome’ more than a beautifully set table kitchen table with candle light when you walk through the backdoor into the kitchen. It tells everyone. Welcome! We are ready for family and guests.
My mom always had seasonal kitchen tablescapes. It was the first thing you would see when you walked through our backdoor. It was where all family and friends came in!
I am following in her footsteps.
‘Welcome to my home’ is significant for anyone who comes to our home, even the kids coming home. That includes our 7 grandkids.
Home is safe and comfort, warm and says you are loved!
farmhouse is always in style
Amy loved how the table and big coordinating wreath looked when she first came through the door after a long semester several years ago.
We all sure did miss each other. Lots of hugging went on when she walked through the door! It will be the same when she arrives from her new city. It will be the same for all of them!
checked patterns are always farmhouse perfect
This farmhouse tablescape came together so easily after I found the black plaid round tablecloth. Knowing it was going to look great with the wreath from a previous year too was an added plus.
I always try to build on what I have. Sometimes, eventually, the look becomes something very different.
LOOKS A LOT LIKE christmas
It really begins to look a lot like Christmas when the “Core 4”, our youngest 2 plus Jim and I are home. Our cute nickname was given to us by our adult kids. In my heart, there is lots of joy and Christmas spirit is coming too!
It begins to be Christmas when we celebrate family together with not only decorations and food but also with Advent and worship times.
using what i have
For this table as I noted earlier, I spread the round black plaid tablecloth on the kitchen table. I nabbed my pristine white cake stand for the beginnings of the centerpiece. The addition of the black lantern I kept after using it for wedding decorations for one of the kids with a battery pillar candle and bottle trees of different colors of green and heights this very simple centerpiece was done!
Use what you have and when you make new purchases, I do think about how I might use it again.
The centerpiece is easy moved when we eat. I like to see all of our faces when we have a meal together.
christmas woodland theme
I wanted a Christmas woodland theme for our farmhouse kitchen and middle room this year. Plaid and tartan are favorites. It works beautifully for our old farmhouse home. It is over two hundred years old. No worries; we have renovated and updated.
Backstory of coffee set
This coffee set has a backstory. We arrived in China where we would live for more than 13 years one very hot August night. Though I had packed a few Christmas treasures with us, I had no thought of Christmas trees or dishes.
My homemaking efforts included searching the open markets for dishes, towels, pots and pans. you know the basics you need. The selctions were varied and odd at times.
Like unexpectely finding a pretty Chriistmas coffee set during late fall at a local open air market. This was the only Christmas thing I had spotted so far. You might think Christmas decor would be plentiful but it wasn’t!
The Japanese department store, Isetan did have Christmas decorations and trees. None were super quality but there was trees and garland! We paid an obscene amount of money for our not too bad tree. It did hold up ad was our tree for all of those years. You could call it sturdy.
I cried as we drove away in the taxi with homesickness triggered by the high cost of the garland feeling we shouldn’t buy it. We were on a tight budget. My husband was wonderful! When I told him the reason for my tears, he had the driver turn around in the congested traffic of taxis and bikes in wet cold rainy weather to go back to buy those garlands!
We hung garland on the concrete beams. I ripped the blue plain cotton material from the local street market into rag strips for farmhouse style large bows for the Christmas spirit touches. Our apartment was decked with greenery and cheer!
Making Home Full of Christmas Cheer
I added the polka dot small plates. Those cute plates come out not only on other holidays but through out the year.
The napkins were ones I bought because of the versatility of the colors knowing I would use them often. The frayed twine tied the silverware together added an extra touch to the farmhouse woodland theme.
Using the bottle trees was a no brainer. See those trees in the snow scene decorating the coffee set! The black plaid brings out the black trim in a cheerful way; the blue seems bluer too.
That first year in China was so hard. Each time I bring this set out I am reminded how God met us during that year in many ways, including expensive garland with rag bows!
Having our home say welcome to family and guests is so much a part of Chrsitmas as we also celebrate the coming of the Christ Child.
Welcome to Christmas !
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For More Holiday Inspiration, Please Visit My Friends’ Posts! You will be inspired and delighted by their creativity!
- “Snow” Place Like Home for the Holidays from Kimberly at From Farmhouse to Florida
- Star Anise Garland with Orange Slices by Cindy from Cloches & Lavender
- DIY Dried Orange Slice Ornaments by Sue from Shop at Blu
- DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar by Kristin from 5th Sparrow No More
- Repurposed Cookie Sheet Christmas Sign by Kim from Exquisitely Unremarkable
- Elegant Winter Wreath by Crystal at Sweet Valley Acres
- The Best Christmas Decor Ideas for Decorating Your Home by Rachel from Tea and Forget Me Nots
- The Perfect Gifts for Couples to Give Each Other by Sharon from Now Choose Life
- Nature Inspired Wood Slice & Pinecone Christmas Ornaments from Donna at An Organized Season
- Peppermint Christmas Bowl with Popcorn by Maria from Pure Happy Home
- Homemade Christmas Thin Mint Cookies by Kristy from At Home With Kristy
- Dairy Free Hot Cocoa Recipe by Juliet from A Loverly Life
- Crochet Christmas Tree Pattern from Sara at Birdz of a Feather
- The Best Kitchen Christmas Decorating Ideas for a Cozy Home by Kim at Perfecting Places
- A Holiday Farmhouse Kitchen Table from Linda at Bushel and a Pickle
- Christmas Tree Brownies from Rosemary from My Home and Travels
- DIY Charger Plates for Christmas from Carol at Blue Sky at Home
- A Holiday Gingerbread House Party by Mary Anne from House of Mar
Just hopped over from Kim’s Exquisitely Unremarkable. I love ANYTHING gingham! I have your same cake stand but hadn’t thought about using it in Christmas decor…will definitely pull it out! I love your polka dot plates! Anything with polka dots or gingham call my name! Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving!
Glad to have you visit! I totally agree with you about gingham and polka dots! Case stands can be one of your most versatile accessory. Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving you too!
Linda, I loved your story of finding Christmas decorations in China. What an adventure! Your sweet dishes and pretty napkins are lovely for a casual arrangement at the kitchen table. The plaid tablecloth is a great back drop.
Thank you Carol for your kind comment. We have had many adventures throguh the years! Trying to recall and share some of them
What a sweet story, Linda! I thought your coffee set was beautiful before I read your story, but after reading it I love it even more! Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks Kim. Glad you enjoyed the Christmas table and my story.
So pretty and welcoming. Your Mom was the hostess with the mostess. She would love how you carry on her traditions.
You know I love black and white so it’s so pretty for any season.
She was a great hostess and example for me in so many ways!
Linda, this is such a sweet and nostalgic centerpiece. The whole tablescape pulls together so beautifully.
Ahhh, thanks Maria
Your table looks so Christmas Festive! I love the check with the Christmas decor! Thank you for sharing your story about China home is where we make it!
Home is were we archecked e for sure. I do love the black checks too.
Your table is so festive! I love the black and white checked together with the Christmas decor. Your story about China sure shares home is where we make it!
Your kitchen table looks so festive! I love black and white check paired with Christmas decor! Thank you for sharing your story about China, home is where ever family is!
Your kitchen table looks so festive and welcoming! Love the story of your adventures in China and your pretty coffee set! Enjoy making new memories with your family around your kitchen table!
Thanks Donna! Looking forward to us all being together over Thanksgiving.
Linda I truly enjoyed hearing all about your family, your life in China and seeing your beautiful tablescape. How nice that your mom used to do this too! What a lovely tradition to carry on.
Thank you Crystal. Mom was a wonderful example for me in so many ways!
Loved hearing about your Christmas in China, however tough it was at the start. I spent three years in Japan so also experienced similar, including KFC being the thing to eat on Christmas Day. It’s always lovely having such unique experiences.
I didn’t realise that Rachel. KFC to therescue! It does take awhile to find your footing so to speak when you move to another country and culture but so many tales to tell.
Thank you for sharing that story of finding Christmas cheer wherever you are. And your table is pretty!
Kristin, what a lovely compliment. It’s true, isn’t it. We just need to look for it at times.
Such a cute table!! I love the detail, and I know it’s appreciated by all who gather at your table!
Thanks Sharon! It is a fun table setting even if we don’t get snow.
Linda, I love your story and welcoming family. Your teacups are darling and I have never met a bottle brush tree I didn’t like. Love the black and white tablecloth too!
I do have fun colored ones too that go upstairs in bathroom and one girls room!
What a wonderful back story Linda; your husband is amazing! I just love your kitchen tablescape. We aren’t lucky enough to have room in the kitchen for a table, but I can sure see this adapted in our dining room.
I love sharing some of our famuly stories for the kids. This tablescape is so easy! I have long black and white table cloths for our DR table too. So versatile.
He’s a keeper! It is an eay one to adapt! It rally is pretty simple to arrange. Merry Christmas early.
What a sweet story! I bet that even though you were homesick, that sweet gesture made that Christmas one to really remember! I’m sure you recall it every time you peek at that pot!
You are so right! Every single time! It’s good to record those memories too for my benefit and for the kids and grands.
Thank you Kim. So many sweet memories!
Love this so much, Linda! Your tablescape is beautiful and I love the wreath too. But most of all I love how you welcome your friends and family members back into your home with open arms and a joy-filled heart. I also love your coffee set. It’s a wonderful reminder of what Christmas is all about. Big hugs, CoCo
Looking forward to the holidays coming up! Thanks for the kind words.
I love how you decorated your kitchen so pretty and what a blessing your story was, thanks for sharing.
Linda,
What a great tablescape and a charming story!! I am stopping by to Thank You for your visit and imagine my surprise in seeing that you live in Lancaster, Pa. I am just about 2 hours from you in Wilkes Barre, Pa. My nephew lived in York for many years but now has built a new home in Maryland….. I am your newest follower!! I am so glad that you stopped by!!
Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks for joining! Small world.
What a wonderful story … and such an interesting life you’ve led. I love the coffee set and your black and white table cloth. Wishing the Core Four a very Merry Christmas! xo
Your table is so charming. I love the black & white checks. Wow, I didn’t realize you had lived in China 13 years! You must have so many tales from that time.
What a great story. I just love that coffee set.
What a poignant story, Linda. I didn’t realize that you lived in China for 13 years. Your farmhouse tablesetting is so lovely and says welcome. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season!
This is a beautiful story. I can’t imagine living in China for 13 years. Many of my family have traveled and also lived over seas.