It’s ski season for the Buzz family! And, in honor of the family-loved activity, I’ve set a winter table in our lodge-theme game room.

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A belated, but very happy New Year to you all! This is my first post of 2020. After the sudden and heartbreaking loss of my Sweet Scottie Dog (shared in DIY Christmas Cocktail Ornament Balls), I needed to take a break from blogging.

But, I’m trying to get back into the swing of things; taking part in Amber’s Cozy Winter Home Tours. There’s so much to see and bee inspired by when you get this group of 24 talented stylists together! If you’ve come by from Lora’s simple winter mantel decor ideas, welcome!

Now that the holidays are in the rearview mirror, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to make merry with family and friends. Besides, spring is a long way off here in Pittsburgh! During the month of January, I transition Christmas decor and tableware to enjoy for the rest of the winter season.

So, let’s hit the slopes — I promise it’s a no-fall zone!

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Apres Ski Setting

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a·près-ski
noun
the social activities and entertainment following a day’s skiing
Oxford Dictionary

Once I put Christmas-specific tableware away for the year, I continue to use my winter season, go-to dishes. Both dishwasher and microwave safe, the Pfaltzgraff pattern is good for everyday meals and entertaining on a cold or snowy day.

Motivation for the Downhill Dinner party theme and tablescape came from the luncheon plate depicting a skier.

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You might recall the same dishes from 2018’s Casual Christmas Table & Bar.

But, rather than in the kitchen, I’ve set the winter table downstairs in the Ski Lodge Theme Decor in Family Game Room. Previously, it was the scene for a Welcome to the Apres-Ski Lodge Buffet.

With it’s lodge and cabin style decor, it’s the perfect setting for a winter table.

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See the full-size snowshoes in the upper left corner?

All-Mountain Birthday Cake
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The centerpiece was inspired by a cake for my son’s seasonal birthday.

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. It’s a pretty old shot scanned into the computer — taken long before I started blogging. Glare from the candles and overhead light fixture don’t help! But, I wanted to show you where I came up with the idea for this winter table centerpiece.

Can you make out the sloped profile of the cake? Icing and sugar crystals imitate a snow-covered mountain; dotted with evergreen trees in an alpine setting. Little ski figures slalom between birthday candles to complete the Nordic scene.

Someday, I’m going to try to recreate the look using a coconut cake recipe. But, rather than baking a calorie-rich dessert, I decided to model a sugar-free ski scene for the winter table.

Winter Table Styling
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First, I created a bed of snow for the winter table, using a furry white throw as a tablecloth.

Then I placed woodcut chargers at each of the four place settings. Another woodcut anchors the ski slope centerpiece.

To create some elevation, I used the smaller of two tree stump cake stands. They’ve actually worked well for multi-season tablescapes and party buffets.

A cupcake pedestal — positioned to one side of the cake stand — serves as the foundation for the mountain peak. Two white soft napkins are the base of snow in the centerpiece.

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Next, I pulled out a few Department 56 accessories from Tour the Magical North Pole. They include fresh powder, ice, birch trees, and evergreens reminiscent of the mountain slope birthday cake accents.

Since I’m a pack rat, I was sure I had saved the little skiers. But alas, they were nowhere to be found. A good thing, as it turned out.

Vintage Skiers

Because, that’s when I remembered the vintage skiers I had just packed up from Christmas. Originally, the cherished figures accessorized the magical Lionel train platform my dad made.

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As the train approached the corner where the live tree stood, it entered a wraparound tunnel topped by a snowy mountainside — until coming out the other side. Skiers frolicked on the slopes.

I still have the Lionel train purchased for my very first Christmas. My parents gave it to me when my eldest son was born. Although I Decorate with Vintage Family Christmas Treasures, I thought the skiers were lost forever.

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A few years ago, Sistah B surprised me first with one, and then a second skier she had saved. I was absolutely thrilled! Gold hangers turn them into Christmas tree ornaments. One day, I’ll pass one down to each of my sons.

Online, I found the figures referred to as Barclay “hollow-cast iron” or “metal lead dye cast.” The company also made similar scale ice skaters and sledders.

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Although they are bigger than the birthday cake decorations, I think they work well going downhill on the winter table centerpiece. Plus, these ski figures have special significance to my family.

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When talking to my mom about the skiers for this post, I found out they were actually purchased by my grandfather to decorate dad’s childhood train platform. So, they are a quarter century older than I thought! More importantly, they were part of my father’s magical Christmas memories. Having lost him just last May, makes the skiers all the more of a family heirloom.

This gal is a vintage skier — just like me — especially at my age! Hope I hold up as well lol!

vintage-metal-female-ski-figure-pink

Last year, during a Breathtaking Breckenridge, Colorado Ski Trip, hubby and I had a wonderful time. It was the best I’d ever skied!

Breckenridge was originally a gold-mining town. It’s charming historical district has well-preserved period buildings, along with fabulous restaurants, bars and shops — offering great apres ski activities.

This winter, we’re heading to a weeklong Terrific Telluride, Colorado Ski Vacation with family and friends. I’ll be hitting the slopes and spa LOL! Have you ever been? Tips to share?

Nordic Dishes

After setting the scene and constructing the centerpiece, it was time to add tableware for the Downhill Dinner. Layered on top of the woodcut chargers are the Pfaltzgraff dinner and skier luncheon plates.

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Flanking the chargers is copper-color, twig flatware I often use to set a winter table; including Moose Toboggan Ride.

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Blue snowflakes, brown deer, and stylized evergreens decorate the rim of the dinner plate and other dishes.

Although the pattern is called Nordic Christmas, I like how well it works for styling a winter table all season long.

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Mugs also are decorated with an evergreen tree. Perfect for a warm cup of hot chocolate, cider or mulled wine.

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Vintage blue glasses (Libbey) sit adjacent to the mugs. Evergreen or snowman wine charms decorate each stem.

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The blue of the glasses complement the snowflakes on the Nordic plate rims. Come February, I incorporate the glasses into another winter table — Presidents Day with Liberty Blue.

Skiing in a Glade of Trees

Napkins folded in the shape of an evergreen add a little dimension and interest to the winter table.

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A reversible, green and white snowflake print works perfectly in the alpine ski scene.

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Made of a thick, double-knit fabric, helps the folded napkins to stand upright on the winter table.

Although I used the pewter-finish snowflake rings to top the trees, they weren’t necessary to hold the napkin fold together. Search online for DIY instructions and video tutorials to quickly and easily fold your own tree-shaped napkins.

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An Enchanting Winter Woodland Tablescape for Christmas also incorporates the same napkin fold. It’s one of 19 Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions that easily add interest to any table setting.

Evergreen-shape candles in pewter holders also flank the ski mountain centerpiece.

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Are you ready to hit the ski slopes with a virtual seat at my Downhill Dinner winter table? Just avoid the trees, lol! 

Next up on the Cozy Winter Home Tours is Terrie’s unique drop cloth wreath. But, bee sure to visit all two-dozen stops!

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Follow The Yellow Brick Home • A Stroll Thru Life • Common Ground • Our Southern Home • County Road 407 • Calypso in the Country • Celebrate and Decorate • Virginia Sweet Pea • My Thrift Store Addiction • The Crowned Goat • First Day of HomeBluesky at HomeWhite Arrows Home • Thistle Key Lane • The Tattered Pew • Belle Bleu Interiors • Le Cultivateur • Cloches and Lavender • Lora Bloomquist • Debbee’s Buzz • Decorate and More with Tip • Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson • Welch House 1900 • Let’s Add Sprinkles

For more winter table ideas and inspiration, don’t miss Polar Bear Frolic in Sleigh RideBuilding a Snowman, and Five Snowman Centerpieces.

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