A “Christmas Morning” Tablescape, featuring Toys from Santa’s Sack

This is a “Christmas Tree” Dishes Tablescape featuring the SantaTeddy “Christmastime” accent plates and other “Christmastime” plates by Nikko, as well as Poinsettia Centerpieces, and Toys just like ones Santa delivered to our home in past years. I hope that these items will bring back many memories of Christmas Mornings – both your own Christmas mornings as a child, and the Christmas mornings you have celebrated with the children you love. Wishing you a magical and blessed Christmas with many happy memories!!!

For a video overview of this table, please check out the YouTube link from my YouTube channel below and then click on the red “play” button. Welcome to the lake!!!!

As some of you may know, I have been doing a series on using Christmas Tree Dishes (such a Nikko Christmastime, Spode, Pfaltsgraf). Most of these tablescapes can be done with any “Christmas Tree” dishes. For this table I used SantaTeddy salad plates along with the traditional Christmas tree pattern from Nikko’s Christmastime pattern. “SantaTeddy” is the nickname of one of the kinds of accent plates made by Nikko for the “Christmastime” dinnerware set. When these accent plates first came out I didn’t buy any, as I was of the opinion that all sizes of my plates should have the exact same Christmas tree pattern. Later, I decided I liked changing out the salad plate for a different coordinating pattern. I purchased my accent plates largely from eBay and Etsy, or Replacements as they were not being sold in the stores by that time I decided to add them to my tablescapes. Nikko made at least 5 different accent plates over the years.

If you want to get a similar look with a different set of Christmas tree dishes, you may want to try some of that company’s accent plates, or some from Nikko, or even vintage salad or appetizer plates by other Christmas dinnerware manufacturers (such as Fitz and Floyd).

Tablescape Theme

For this tablescape I wanted to give a Christmas morning feel with presents on the table representing gifts that “Santa” placed under our tree in past years. Looking at the accent plate, and the traditional plates, and remembering past Christmasses, I decided I would use a plush bear, a train, baby’s blocks and a doll. To pull it all together, I decided to use poinsettias and drums that are illustrated on the SantaTeddy accent plate. I considered using some wrapped Christmas presents as centerpieces also, but eventually decided I didn’t really have enough room for those on the table.

The Completed Tablescape

I’d like to share the completed tablescape first and then – below that- I will share information about each section of the table and the items used.

Table Details and Origins

The Plate Stack

The foundation of the plate stack are the tablecloth and napkins by “Waterford”. Both are white, with a large bold dark red border. They were purchased at Homegoods and have been available in November and December from 2019-2024 and hopefully will be available next year as well!

Instead of a charger, I chose a beaded and jeweled placemat from “Luxe Habitat” that was purchased at Homegoods in approximately 2020.

The first plate in the stack is a Nikko “Christmastime” large octagonal plate. My first Nikko Christmastime Plates were purchased at Department Stores such as the May Company, Higbees, Macy’s, and Dillards. Although discontinued since 2014 they are often available at eBay, Etsy, Replacements.com and at many vintage and antique stores and fairs.

The top plate in the stack is an accent salad plate called “SantaTeddy” from Nikko “Christmastime”. Although these were originally available at many Department Stores, after they were discontinued, I purchased mine from Ebay, Etsy, and Replacements.

Other Items In Each Place Setting

The flatware I use is Vintage Salem “Christmas Eve”, and was purchased on eBay. Nikko makes a similar flatware to this that is called Nikko Holiday Flatware or Nikko Christmastime Flatware. Both the Salem pattern and the Nikko pattern are often available on eBay or Etsy.

The ruby goblets are Morgantown’s “Golf Ball” pattern and were purchased on eBay and Etsy.

The napkin rings are “Vintage Elves” by Christopher Radko for Shiny Brite. I purchased mine on eBay and they are occasionally available on Etsy as well. This unfortuneately was an item susceptible to crazing – as are many plates (they develop small hairline cracks in the glaze). I try to avoid crazing in dinnerware, due to the dangers of chemicals in the plates getting into your food, and also due to the discoloration when water or food leaks thru the glaze on the plate. However, I am not as cautious about it in decorative items. If it looks fine to me, I occasionally purchase the items anyway, as was the case with these napkin rings. I zoomed in on pictures on ebay, noticed the crazing and decided to purchase anyway because the crazing is not visible from a distance and I LOVE these elves!

Centerpieces & Toys

The Christmas Bear is from FAO Schwarz in New York. We purchased him at the FAO Schwarz (store) when we vacationed in NYC this past summer.

The porcelain Christmas doll was purchased from eBay this year and is from the Brass Key Victorian Collection 16″.

The Lionel train is a mix of a train set and individually purchased train cars and caboose. All of our trains are “O” gauge.

For those of you new to models trains, Google AI explains this gauge of trains as follows:

“O gauge is a model train scale that is typically 1:48, or 0.25 inches to the foot. This is also known as the “quarter inch scale”. O gauge models are larger scale, which means they are more detailed and precise. O gauge can also refer to the track gauge, which is 1 1/4 inches between the outer rails. The sharpest O gauge curve is 31 inches in diameter, while wider curves can be 72, 82, or 96 inches in diameter. O gauge trains are relatively heavy and sturdy, making them easy to set on the track. They are often used for permanent tabletop layouts or around the Christmas tree. 

Listed below is the train set and miscellaneous train cars used in this tablescape. However, if you are wanting to do a similar “toy” tablescape, any Christmas or every day trains can work. Lionel usually makes many Christmas trains sets and cars, each year. So whether you are buying new, borrowing, or buying secondhand, the Christmas train possibilities are almost endless.

Engine #3766 and the coal car (above on table and below) are from the Lionel 1999 LIONEL TINSEL TOWN LOCOMOTIVE RTR TRAIN SET 6-21944 

Lionel 6-17946 Candy Cane Standard O Unibody Tank car was purchased separately.

Lionel 6-16795 Elf & Rudolph Animated Gondola was also purchased separately. The elf chases Rudolph as the train runs down the track.

Lionel 6-36032 Gondola #6462 Happy Holidays 1999 was also purchased separately. It transports small, wrapped Christmas gifts.

Lionel Dept. 56 Caboose Train Car 6-52139 was purchased separately as well.

Although we purchased these Lionel trains and cars when they were current products, from Lionel.com and other train stores, they are often available currently at eBay, Etsy, and also at other train stores that carry retired and second hand Lionel trains.

The Baby’s Wooden Blocks are vintage, and were purchased from eBay this year. Shown above on the chest of drawers, it is also shown on the table in the Casual Tablescape Version.

The water lantern, with 3 dogs (that all look like our “Simba”) was purchased at “Madisonville Christmas Company”.

I made the two flower arrangements out of Michaels (Craft Store) poinsettia flowers and Michael’s drum baskets. Each arrangement is made from 2 poinsettia pine mixed bushes by Ashland, and one drum basket per arrangement.

A More Casual Version of this “Christmas Morning” Tablescape

Below are some more photos of this table when I converted it to a low maintenance tablescape for us to use on a daily basis. I love having a tablescape with a tablecloth for holidays and guests, but if we are planning a casual dinner I often adapt it for those occasions, as I did this time.

The casual version of this tablescape utilizes the “wipe clean” glass top instead of a tablecloth, and one of the poinsettia arrangements was moved to the small dresser to provide more space for serving dishes.

I Treasure your Comments

If you have time, I would love it if you would comment on this post, and I would also love to hear about your favorite holiday toys – both given and received. Also, I would love to know if you prefer the “formal”(with tablecloth) or casual (without tablecloth) version of this table. To comment, please scroll down to the very end of this post for the “Comment” section.

Posts I Hope You Will Like

If you liked this post, and have not yet seen the below, you may want to check it out. It uses the same set of dishes, tablecloth and napkins, but uses a different accent salad plate.

Christmas Tree Tablescape of “Christmas Present”

and the one below this uses the traditional Christmas tree dishes with a different tablecloth.

“Christmas Tree” Tablescapes and Snow Village of Christmas Past

If you are an animal person, you may want to check out the following Tablescape featuring dogs. The “Southern Living” Christmas “dog” plates used in the below tablscape are sold at Dillards with different dogs featured on different years. However, almost every year, there is at least one Golden Retriever or Lab featured. With our Simba being a Golden Retriever we are very excited about all the plates with “Goldens”. On a sad note, we have yet to see a Husky on the Dillard’s plates, and since our Grandpuppy is a Husky, we are hoping that huskies are represented next year!!

Celebrate a Canine Christmas with a “Bark-Worthy” Tablescape!!

Link Parties

You can actually find the below link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 
Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 
Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!
The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!
Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 
April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday
Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  
Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  
Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 
The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!
Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!
Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 
Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 
Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 
Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 
Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 
Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 
Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 
My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday
Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 
French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 
Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!
Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 
Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 
Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 
Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!
Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursday
I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 
Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 
Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 
Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!
Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 
Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 
Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday
Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 
Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 
Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 
Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 
Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 
At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 
Carol at Answer is Choco hosts BFF Link Party. Carol’s website contains lots of ideas about crafts, scrapbooking, recipes and many other things!

Saturday
Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!
Pam’s Party and Practical Tips hosts the “Dare to Share Saturday” Link party – which includes some great party ideas, recipes and crafts!

Thanks for “stopping by at the Lake for our “Christmas Morning” Tablescape!!

From Our State to Yours… I hope your December is filled with wonderful blessings and that you have a …

Christmas lights shown above are from “Santa’s Wonderland” in College Station, TX!!