It feels like winter again, and the perfect occasion for a toboggan ride tablescape.
After a heavy rainstorm with strong wind gusts yesterday, the high temperature dropped 20 degrees overnight. Now, snowflakes are falling and winter has returned.
After going to gym class in the morning, I spent the entire day preparing for a grand evening out with hubby. It required reading the play synopsis and music lyrics, while listing to the soundtrack of Hamilton. Yes, that Hamilton!
Then, we left the house for a pre-theater dinner downtown, before the three-hour show. Was it absolutely fabulous and fun — yes! It’s a cultural phenomenon I hope you all get a chance to see. Have you been? If not, Hamilton is worth the cost of a Disney + subscription for virtual front row seat.
Now that old man winter has returned, I’ve spent set a seasonal, winter table to enjoy for the rest of the month. Come along on the ride!
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Snow-Covered Tabletop
For a toboggan ride tablescape you’ve gotta have snow right? Begin with a white tablecloth decorated with shimmering snowflakes. Made of woven polyester, the tablecloth launders well and needs little ironing.
Overhead, snowflakes and icicles dangle from the kitchen chandelier. I kept the light fixture decorated since setting a Casual Christmas Table in December.
Next, I layered a runner and napkins decorated with moose and polar bear winter print.
To better appreciate the fun fabric print, I elected a simple fold without using napkin rings.
After all, most of the runner is covered by the centerpiece and two of four place settings.
After angling the toboggan, I elevated the back end with a few paperback books to give the impression of sledding downhill. It’s encircled with a string of battery-powered lights.
Next, I added snow all around from the Magical North Pole Village — which I still need to devote an entire day to pack away (ugh!).
Using the toboggan, I created a completely different seasonal centerpiece for Winter Woodland Tablescape for Christmas. I love changing up centerpieces by using home decor and items from my various collections.
Much of the linens and tableware can also be easily swapped out and rearranged for the Polar Bear Frolic in Sleigh Ride Tablescape.
Avoid the Trees
It’s tough to steer around the trees on a toboggan ride tablescape, so they were cut down in advance — leaving wood slice chargers under each stack of plates.
Copper-finish twig flatware is placed either side. Other seasonal tablescapes frequently include the same flatware and woodcut chargers.
See Casual Christmas Table & Bar for another look.
Tree-decorated mugs are also positioned safely off to the side of the toboggan ride tablescape run.
Other evergreens are hauled out of the way on top of vintage red station wagons.
Those are actually Christmas trees decorating the juice glasses (Pottery Barn).
Winter Seasonal Dishes
I’m OK styling winter tables by extending the use of tableware and linens that aren’t too Christmasy. How about you?
Melamine dessert or appetizer plates (Target sometime back) sit on top of the dish stack.
Because they are melamine, the plates are a good choice to pack with a warm thermos of hot chocolate. Great for a winter tailgate after sledding or ice skating.
Moose and snowflake pattern plates decorate the toboggan ride tablescape. Underlying the melamine are my go-to winter dishes, also featured in Casual Christmas Table & Bar.
Made by Pfaltzgraff, they are dishwasher and microwave safe. Decorated with a winter motif, they get a lot of use during the months of December and January.
Winter Fun Continues in Kitchen
I also mix the same moose and snowflake melamine plates with the coordinating tableware and linens on the kitchen island.
Moose and polar bear dish towels do double-duty as napkins on the bar.
I often coordinate seasonal and holiday linens across the kitchen table, bar and towels hung on the oven door.
Moose on the Loose
All four moose and the toboggan usually populate the Ski Lodge Theme Decor in the Family Game Room downstairs.
Last year, it was the scene of a Welcome to the Apres-Ski Lodge Buffet.
In the driver’s seat is Montana Mooski by Boyds. A fully jointed, poly and bean filled moose, he has velvet antlers and paw pads. Mooski was introduced in 1999 and is now retired.
Behind Mooski — trying to get a better view down the hill — is a soft, squishy Ty moose. He has velvet posable anthers and hooves.
Trying to counterbalance the weight to avoid a nasty spill is long-body moose; with a microwavable insert.
A gift from my sister-in-law L, this moose is nice for snuggling on a cold winter’s night, or to sooth a sore lower back.
Serving as brakeman, this large moose was a seasonal promotion from a clothing store.
He’s wearing a backpack with supplies and a thermos of hot chocolate for warming up at the bottom of the hill.
Much as I love the big guy, he does crowd the toboggan ride tablescape once everyone is seated. Before we eat, I remove the two larger moose from the centerpiece.
On reflection, maybe the toboggan ride tablescape looks better using only two moose instead of three or four? It’s much easier to see the red toboggan on all four sides now. I’m thinking less is more here. What do you think?
Are you planning any outdoor winter excursions or activities this season? Hubby is planning a Breathtaking Breckenridge, Colorado Ski Trip. I may need to pack that moose with the microwave insert moose lol!
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Debbee, this is super cute. The plates, the centerpiece, the textiles…..and your phrasing for the trees being in the way of sledding so you made chargers – clever!
I must say, though, I may need to quit viewing tablescapes (not really, no way, never happening) because when I saw your lead photo, the first thing I thought of was the tub of Christmas things I separated for donation, sale or giveaways. In it, there’s a sled FULL of frolicking winter animals. Oh dear, you are NOT good for my purge, lol!
We didn’t get but flurries last night, and I sure hope it stays that way over the weekend! Stay cozy.
Rita, so wonderful to hear from you. I’m confident your Christmas party was a huge success — just hope you got to enjoy it too?
Glad you enjoyed the table and phrasing (maybe listening to all those clever Hamilton lyrics inspired?). Please don’t tempt me back by sharing what was in that ‘sled’ — don’t tell me if any were polar bears or penguins….!
What a fun table. I love it.
Happy New Year Marty! Thanks for stopping by!
Winter tables can be so fun, don’t you think? All the playful themes and ideas that play off the outdoors can bring smiles to so many days that are otherwise dreary. By the way, Moose #2 is calling me!
Ditto that Sandra! Moose #2 is a sweet one designed for cuddling.
This is darling! I’m in love with all things moose, so especially love the toboggan and the plates!! #celebrateyourstorylinkup
Hi Jennifer, thanks for stopping by! I had the stuffed moose and decorative toboggan for a number of years, before finding the plates. They inspired the tablescape and using the moose to create a centerpiece.
This post was one of my featured favorites today from the Holiday link up; it’s so cute! Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Joanne, thanks so much! What a nice holiday treat. Merry Christmas!
I love everything about this toboggan ride!
It was a fun table to style and entertain guests — and a lot warmer than actually being outside, LOL!
Debbee, my woodland loving heart is smiling at this post. Love all these details, especially those plates with the moose. I’m putting on my hat, gloves, and coat ready to jump on the toboggan for a ride!
LOL Sarah! We are going to get hammered Sunday night with 5-12 inches of snow so a toboggan might come in handy! Pulling out my Polar Bear Frolic in Sleigh Ride Tablescape for the occasion and stocked up on hot chocolate fixings.