Silent Night...

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

This year, we had a very simple but fun Christmas.  My husband is visiting his family in South Africa, so I celebrated Christmas with some family and friends.

I just wanted to keep things simple, but beautiful.  My home is decorated mostly with an African theme, which means I have a lot of dark colors around, like deep browns and dark orange.  So as not to clash with the rest of my home, I selected brown and gold textured table decor, with a hint of sparkle.

An English Tradition - A Christmas Cracker! 

I love to have Christmas Crackers on my table.  This is an English tradition, and each cracker contains a paper hat that looks like a crown, a small gift, and a little piece of paper with a joke and some trivia.


Before dining, we pull the cracker with someone at the table.  It tears open with a loud bang (or crack!), and whoever gets the longest piece gets to keep the gift.  You read the jokes and trivia and everyone laughs (usually at the corny jokes!), and that sets the tone for the rest of the meal. Of course, wearing the paper crown hat is mandatory while you are at the table!

My Christmas Table. 

A brown and gold theme is very earthy and warm.

Royal Doulton Caspian China.

Add candles - a table will always seem undressed without them.  I used my Royal Doulton Caspian China (which was a pattern made for Debenhams in the UK) to add some cheery red to the table.

This year I just wanted brown and sparkles!

Glittery foliage adds a touch of whimsy.

So our Christmas lunch was a roast chicken with all of the trimmings.  Afterward we retired to sit in front of the fireplace with coffee, tea and dessert.  Love, fun, laughter, good food, great company, sharing, and giving.  That's what Christmas is all about.

Until next year... Merry Christmas!

- The Sassi Wench