Simply… enjoy the moment!

Have you been following along with Simply Christmas for the past 11 weeks?

If you answered yes, then you should be totally ready for the big day with a final week left to just soak up all the festivities and arrange those last minute details.

I hope you have enjoyed this event as much as I did. It was lovely to meet new people, visit gorgeous blogs, tour the homes and watch the Christmas preparations of so many new blogging friends.

I thought today would be an opportune time to discuss the Christmas table. Whether you’re dining with family or a group of friends, a beautiful Christmas table really sets the mood for a wonderful event. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to have an inviting and amazing looking Christmas table. Decorating your table for Christmas can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it, but it can always be eye catching and uplifting.

Regardless of your setting, be it casual or formal, a centrepiece always adds a nice touch. Some ideas to consider are: fresh flowers or greenery, sugared fruit, gorgeous candles or pretty ornaments in a pedestal bowl.

Fresh flowers…

traditional colours…

bright colours…

a ‘beachy’ theme…

more formal and elegant…

or sweet country casual.

There’s a decorating style to suit everyone’s style and budget.

Even though we live by the beach I’m not going with a beach decorating theme. Christmas lunch is always a traditional cooked affair with all the trimmings, so we are sticking with the more traditional white linen with red and green accents. I suspect we’ll have fairly humid conditions in our little part of the world, so lunch will be served on the back veranda, where we can take advantage of the coastal breeze. I love using candles but they require more protection when used outdoors, so I have whipped up these cute little glittery numbers for the table. They are really quick and simple too.

Here’s what you will need:

· Small jars (I used baby food jars because I have them on hand but you could use votive holders).

· One sheet of sparkly scrapbook paper for every 3 jars.

· Tracing paper.

· Double sided tape.

· Tools: sharp knife, cutting mat, pencil and ruler.

· Tea light candles.

To make:

1. Cut a strip of card that will fit around your jar. For my baby food jar the measurements were 8.5 cm high x 25 cm wide. I scored a line on the outside of my glittery card every 6 cm, which left a 1 cm tab at one end.

2. I sketched a star on some scrap card and cut it out to use as a template. I traced it centrally onto each of the four sides of the candle lantern and then cut them out using the craft knife.

3. Cut a piece of tracing paper the same size as your candle lantern. Using double sided tape, adhere it to the inside of the lantern. Apply double sided tape to the inside edge of tab and form the card into a square shape.

These tiny lanterns will add a little bit of sparkle to each place setting without being too intrusive…. after all, we need lots of room on the table for the delicious festive feast.

Note: Always take care when using candles.

Wednesday Giveaway: Guest Poster, Jordan of Polkadot Prints had a fabulous response to her tutorial for simple paper boxes last week.

I’ve seen them popping up everywhere in blogland (BTW… thanks girls for the links back to Jordan and Simply Christmas. It was much appreciated). Jordan chose the winner by random number generator and the gift of a pack of 10 gift tags and a 5m bundle of red bakers twine is going to Jo in Tasmania. You might remember Jo won last Friday’s Giveaway too, but I think in fairness, she has entered all the giveaways and random number generator is the fairest way of picking a winner. You have to be in it, to win it!! I have Jo’s address so I’ll get that out to her toot sweet!!

So, here we are…. our last weekend before Christmas. What will you be doing? I hope that no matter where you are, or what wonderful festive activities you are participating in, that you cherish peace and good will, be plenteous in mercy, and carry the spirit of Christmas in your heart.

I’d love to hear from you, so show so blogging love and leave a comment.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne