[ Ribbons for Holiday Table ]

When you have many tasks on your to do list, you may want to simplify. You say to yourself, “Have to get the tree up, decorate the outside, bake, grocery shop, purchase, wrap and send gifts…”

Splurge on one item, the ribbon. The ribbon here is 4 inches wide from Mackenzie-Childs or can be found in a Neiman Marcus store.

[ The Centerpiece ]

Step 1: Simple elegant ribbon dancing down the table middle.

Step 2: Lots of interesting tea lights.

Step 3: Small glasses filled with greens.

The tea lights that antique “intermezzo*” cups. I have referred to these delicate cups as sorbet glasses. The greens (snipped from my azalea bushes) are displayed in vintage port/juice glasses.

[ The Place Setting ]

Step 1: Glistening chargers

Step 2: Family vintage Noritaki china with red and green minimal border

Step 3: Ruby red cloth napkins with beaded Christmas tree rings

[ The Pop ]

The ribbon, that’s the wow here. The ribbon can be found at Neiman Marcus or Mackenzie-Childs.

Holidays are times to celebrate with family, create memories and traditions. There may be family dinnerware, glassware, flatware or serving piece that surfaces during this time. As you build your china closet, remember that you may want to use family china for tradition and then add something new.

*An intermezzo was frequently a European course during a formal dinner. The name references a very small plate of food served about halfway through a large multi-course meal, or just before the entree. A light, refreshing, two-bite affair, an intermezzo slows down the dining experience just enough to help you and your guests really savor the meal. They are intended to cleanse the eater’s palate and accentuate the meal’s flavors.