The Christmas sideboard / dresser is ready

Our early winter snow has rather thrown my plans out the window as I have rather walked the snow taking lots of photos, than getting ready for Christmas.

This is how previous Christmas sideboards looked in

2012-chirstmas-sideboard-is-done

2013 the-festive-sideboard-is-ready

2014 it-is-looking-more-festive-at-home

2015 Christmas sideboard

2016 the-sideboard-is-looking-starting-to-look-festive 

My sideboard / dresser was still not done .... what to do ...

Coffee time - my lovely little niece & I bought each other matching mugs in Johannesburg so we think of each other across the miles ....

I unpacked some favourites - I love these Emma Bridgewater pieces - they just epitomise Christmas

These are needed too ...

Mince pies are always eaten at Christmas on this gifted plate. I like having them on hand on the sideboard / dresser as they can be used easily when needed.

A few things are needed that make you smile ....

I sometimes cut fresh ivy & holly for the winter solstice but with all the snow, that is not happening so some faux strands will help for now ...

The cheese board & cake stand were Oliver Bonas gifts from the girls & they like being there ...

Green, purple, red, white candles on the top will be used over the festive season. I love having the candle sticks on the top ready for the table at night ...

It always feels more festive when the sideboard looks ready & we have the special plates & bowls at hand that we will need. How is your planning going? Thank you for stoping by & taking the time to read & comment!
Dee ~♥~

The Christmas sideboard is ready ….

Hi everyone - I hope your week is going well & your Christmas plans are going to plan ….

Time to get our sideboard ready for Christmas - it always takes ages to locate the things I want.

We gifted this plate to Olive, my late Mother in law many years ago & it has come back to me - the 3 girls represented her 3 granddaughters & she loved using it at Christmas.

I love my eclectic collection of festive crockery - much of it gifts that remind me of the givers.

These Spode Christmas Tree plates & dishes are so classic & understated. This year I have teamed them  up with some traditional little Christmas trees which were actually quite difficult to find some.

I have also used my small collection Emma Bridgewater Christmas  mince pie plates & mug - they are perfect for offering mince pies to visitors on.

My vintage cranberry glass adds a lovely deep colour to the top shelf;  our special Venetian glass decanter & glasses are always out for Christmas.

Greenery softens the top of the sideboard, along with some wooden houses. I love battery led lights as they are safe to use on shelves so they are tucked in to the glasswares.  Some tartan / plaid cloths & stockings add the finishing touches.

All of the things on the sideboard will be used over the festive season as they are accessible - a wonderful reminder of gifts & people who gifted them.

I hope your festive plans are going to plan too. Do you plan ahead or do you find time runs out for the plans? What are your colours this year?

Thanks for stopping by & taking the time to read & leave a comment.
Dee ~♥~

It is looking more festive at home …

Hi everyone,

Please tell me that you are all still getting ready too & that your tree is just going up?

We have had such a busy time at home that I have not had a chance to get organised.  I have seen lovely trees at the homes of my students & bemoaned the fact that mine is still in the depths of my loft.

One of my lovely Mum's has once again had a wreath ready as a gift for me - a gift from her heart that she knows I really appreciate. I could not wait to get it home & put it on my front door so it looks festive.

This morning, with both daughters due home, I suddenly had a spurt of energy & got the long garland & lights done for our inglenook fireplace. I think I need to still find a very long garland or two that will drape all the way down but I just haven't found one yet ….

I have only put a small tree up & even changed the sideboard in the conservatory.

I love to look back over 2012 previous years & 2013 last year efforts; it is always a little different & this is my 2014 version.

and the drinks trays in the conservatory were checked, bottles wiped down or replaced & a little tree with IKEA battery lights & some cocktail decorations added … looking a lot better.

The dining room sideboard is smaller but still got a festive touch, then time for an early festive meal as we can't all be together on Christmas day

My two ladies each have a lovely festive garland on their heads …

I love my candle sticks with their dangly crystals ….

My Venetian crystal set is always out at Christmas

Much better - it is starting to feel festive in our home, hope yours is too …

Thanks for stopping by,

Dee ~♥~

The Chirstmas sideboard is done ...

Our conservatory is used all the time & the sideboard changes several times a year.

I love my Ralph Lauren Pocket Watch plates - but they have been up for a while so will come down.

The central oval plate was a special hand made gift from my sister in South Africa. It is stunning with a row of beads in the top. I brought back those 3 lovely animals to go with it but it is festive time now ...

 

 

This morning I decided it was time to get ready for the festive season so the sideboard was cleared for changes.

This was our sideboard last year - I always make it slightly different

The silver drinks trays always stay - they have a selection of things which we enjoy - I recommend the sherry & Thorntons chocolate liqueur ♥

Our Venetian glass set was bought on a trip to Venice many years ago & that is always out for Christmas sherry

Bowls & jugs made at Coalport near us - they will be used for snacks & on the table several times over the festive season

I love these two wine glasses with their red, green & gold colour & I recently found this glass tealight holder too. The little bowl is a Villeroy & Boch festive bowl.

Holly & Ivy pattern from Portmeirion - always pretty

A pair of supermarket deer brought home by eldest daughter as a gift last year because she knows my fondness for deer ...

We always buy the 2 daughters a new special decoration for the tree each year - these are their new ones ♥

 

The drink shakers, ice bucket etc all ready

I cut ivy from the garden this morning for the top with berries. The top shelf plates, bowls & tea-light holders are Spode Christmas trees with an Emma Bridgewater Mince pie one in the centre

I am very pleased with our Christmas sideboard - what do you think of the change?

What changes do you make for the festive season?

Thank you for stopping by, I always enjoy your comments & will return the visit if you leave a link.

Dee ~♥~