Most of my life it has been about the ‘presentation’ ~ whether it is presenting a gift, the view from the front door, to the food we serve, the home we keep and even the table setting on Christmas Day.
Don’t get me wrong…..’the presentation’ is just giving my best ~ not to be perfect all-the-time, just simply and creatively ‘giving my best’ using what’s on hand, what we can afford and what we can create….makin’ things pretty.
This year found us (finally) placing our Christmas Tree in the dining room ~ in previous years our tree was placed in the foyer with no other options ~ in our ‘only’ living space the four walls consisted of a staircase, a fireplace, an opening to the dining room and the front door.
But with a few furniture sales and a shift in the dining room ~ We couldn’t be more excited to have our Christmas Tree tucked into a corner to enjoy.
Now the tree can be seen from the living room, kitchen and dining room ~ and be part of our Christmas Celebrations!
Including Christmas Dinner.
So I got busy…..creating a casual Christmas Dinner Tablescape ‘Presentation’.
Gathering and collecting dinnerware from our own cupboards ~ with vintage ironstone, serving baskets and our everyday dishes ~ including the sweetest little butter pats gifted by my friend Tracy, thru her antique business ‘Sisters Stash‘ (shop here).
Here is how it came together
Layering first a denim blue tablecloth topped with a knitted runner purchased at the Shaker Village in Massachusetts during vacation.
The centerpiece is made up of a few stacked wicker serving baskets, greens from the garden and artificial berries (thanks to the birds), and a trio of wax tree candles purchased from Michaels, they have that vintage flare.
The small tree candle holders were created using a cookie cutter and Quickwood adding a hole just large enough for a candle, then once dried ~ paint and varnish.
The candles were purchased (here) ~ they are the cutest little beeswax candles and come in many colors.
Then placing them on little butter pats….thank you Sisters Stash (shop here).
Then layering each place setting with our everyday dishes, serving baskets and vintage finds.
The napkins were sewn using fabric from the ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ Collection thru Walmart ~ and then folded into a tree shape. Following the directions found (here).
Can you tell the Christmas Tree ~ created a whole ‘theme’ for the table?
Tucked into the ‘tree napkin’ is a little party favor ‘tree mouse’ created with Quickwood and a Wooden Tree (similar found here).
A similar ‘Mousie’ sculpting instruction pattern can be purchased (here).
We then added a few pinecone ornaments and ribbon ~ along with a ‘Cookie Cookie’ for dessert.
These cookies are gigantic and are full of cookie flavor ~ you actually can stop at just one.
Enjoy the recipe for ‘The Cookie Cookie’!
The Cookie Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup Cake Flour
- 2 tsp Cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter cold and cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup creamy Cookie Butter, such as Biscoff
- 3/4 cup packed Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 large Egg Yolk
- 1 tbsp Vanilla
- 1 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (I used Wilbur Semi Sweet)
- 10 Biscoff Cookies crushed (leaving some chunks)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl (both flours, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda and salt)
- cream the butter, cookie butter and sugars on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Then add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.
- gradually add the dry ingredients followed by the chocolate chips and crushed cookies.
- shape dough into 8 equal dough balls (told you these were large). To keep the cookie looking rustic ~ split the balls in two and reattach with inside edges facing outward and place onto cookie sheet.
- place the large cookie onto the cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Edges should look golden.
- while still warm top with additional chocolate chips or cookie crumbs if desired. To make a pretty 'presentation' place a round cookie cutter or glass over the cookie and swirl ~ then eat the left over edges to taste test.
- leave the cookies on the pan for 15 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
- the cookies will remain soft for several days stored in an airtight container.
A pretty table and a sweet cookie ~ gathering from your home and your heart.
Wherever your tree is placed or however your table is set ~ I pray the food is plentiful and family is close this Christmas Season….. now that would be the perfect ‘presentation’.
1 Corinthians 16:14 – Let all that you do be done in love.
Lord, we ask You to grant us peace. Peace in our homes, peace in our churches and peace in our hearts. Help us stay focused on You, this Christmas and always. Thank You for loving the whole world enough to send the greatest gift, Your Son, so we truly will have a very merry Christmas. May our ‘Presentation’ always be focused on Jesus.
We pray for family, friends and all people in need. We pray that every table be filled with plentiful food and love.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Merry Christmas to you.
~*~
