People tobogganing, Christmas trees and Santa’s sleigh cavort across this vibrantly coloured holiday dinnerware by Pottery Barn.

I bought it for the Cape house a few years ago, wanting something cheerful for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

There are four generously sized salad plates showing Santa’s sleigh…

Houses, trees and horses…

Kids pulling a toboggan…

And a huge Christmas tree reminiscent of Whoville from the Grinch.

I find the faintly muzzy, watercoloruish painting very appealing.

Primary colours with bold drawings have a simplicity, yet one keeps finding more detail in the pictures.

I love it.

Styling the table was an exercise in what to emphasize and what to leave alone. There is so much going on with the plates themselves, I chose to highlight only the red, using checked napkins and two sizes of lanterns.

The black transferware dinner plates barely peek out around the salad plates, but form a subtle frame (they’re Royal Stafford). The napkins are from Williams Sonoma several years ago. I have them in both red and black and they’re very useful – they go with a lot of different styles.  The Frosted Foliage napkin ring is new this year from Pier 1.

The red Riena lanterns are also from Pier 1 this year. The deep shade of red is very appealing, and I was attracted to the fine detailing on the corners of the mullioned sides. They’re very deeply discounted right now, so if you’re interested, now’s the time!

We’ve had these Victorian wine decanters forever. I can’t remember where we got them. They’re not a particularly fine specimen, but form part of a trio that is frequently pressed into service at dinner parties. 

They fit beautifully on this small serving platter that came with the Winter Village set…

… along with the three tiered cake stand.

Such a cheerful table, and it showed well at night, too.

The vibrant green of the Colonial Dame glass by Fostoria echoed the green in the plates. I figured that was enough colour, so went with the clear Trestle glass by Fitz & Floyd. They have similar “weight”, and the footed portion of the glasses coordinate well.

And of course, who could resist the Park Avenue salt and peppers? They’re art of Pier 1’s fabulous collection of accessories this year.

The little red lanterns are Christmas tree decorations from Pier 1. I didn’t realize they lit up until I got home. The colours change, too, in the most delightfully vulgar way. I love them!

The flatware is Twig by World Market. 

Well, it’s the last day of November! How the heck did that happen?

I hope everyone has their advent calendars lined up for tomorrow 🙂  I noticed a proliferation of different styles this year: wooden ones at World Market, HomeGoods and Replacements, electronic ones from Jacquie Lawson, 24 days of  Whiskey from the LCBO (oops – that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario for any non-Canadians –  I know, a liquor control board – so “Presbyterian” as my mother would say), right down to biscuit and treat filled offerings for pets!  I have filled the wooden ones for little girls in our family with the contents of Playmobil calendars plus chocolate. You really know it’s the Christmas season when it’s time to open that first door!

I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.