I’ve just finished setting the table for Christmas Day; trying to get a little ahead of the curve. Thought you might enjoy seeing it, along with my nutcracker collection centerpiece.
Two years ago, I was in Florida helping mom to downsize. At the time, my parents were living in a sprawling, four-bedroom home; planning a move into an apartment. Sistah B had already helped go through much of the clothing, artwork, sculptures, and decor items. Mom and I worked on the kitchen, bathrooms, smaller artwork, dining room, and her extensive holiday collection of decorations, ornaments and collectibles.
Most of the items had a great deal of sentimental value, and a number were handmade treasures. We spent several days going through the emotional, difficult process. As we accessed each item, we determined what was going in the house contents sale, to donate, or give to family members and friends.
Unfortunately, my two sisters and I simply could not absorb everything. After all, we are our mother’s daughters — having collected holiday decoration ourselves for decades! Plus, mom and dad had given us Christmas ornaments and decor every year since we were kids. None of the grandchildren were married or had homes yet, so they had no place to keep or display anything. That meant my sisters and I would have to store our children’s keepsakes too.
I selected the Christmas decorations and ornaments that had the most sentimental or nostalgic value to me, primarily items from my childhood. Some I had given to my parents, others I knew the boys were particularly partial to — like nutcrackers.
I use affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that helps to offset website operating costs. There is no additional cost to you. Disclosure Policy.
No Room at the Inn
Two years later, and the boys still have not taken procession of the holiday decorations I shipped to Pittsburgh. They live in lovely condos, but urban apartment living does not provide much display or storage space.
Although I was able to find space on the tree for ornaments and squeeze in several Byers Choice carolers and smaller nutcrackers into my groupings, there was simply no display space for the large figures destined for my sons.
Chef Red Cloud and Drosselmeyer spent two years boxed in their old bedroom closets.
Last year, I found this wonderful nutcracker table runner at Marshalls. That’s when I had the eureka moment to create a nutcracker theme tablescape. I combined all of our nutcrackers to create a holiday centerpiece.
For this year, there would be no Peacock Ornaments Decorate Chandelier at Christmas and coordinating table. Besides, I have plenty more around the house!
See Decorating for Christmas with a Peacock Theme, Peacock Ornaments Decorate Tree, and brand new Holiday Peacock Wreath.
Nutcracker Collection
Prior to the more recent additions from my parents, I already had three nutcrackers displayed on the baker’s rack in the family room. Do you collect or have any nutcrackers decorating your home?
First in my collection was the general pictured above. He’s also my favorite nutcracker for sentimental reasons. Dad brought him home from a business trip to Germany. He knew how much I loved the ballet, music and story. I still do!
The first trip we took after our honeymoon was to West Germany — the country was still divided by the Iron Curtain. Hard for millennials to imagine! I bought several nutcrackers as gifts, and brought home one riding a horse. Isn’t he special?
Mom and dad added two more nutcrackers to my collection over the years. Pictured above is one with a plumed hat, holding a shield and flag.
Another nutcracker raises his sword. Next to him is the classic design I brought home from the downsizing trip.
Collection Combined into Centerpiece
To create a cohesive look for the nutcracker centerpiece, I weaved a holiday garland around the seven figures. Next, I simply tucked in faux greens and berries, with a few gold spray-painted pinecones.
Which nutcracker do you like best?
It’s Not Always a Theme
Queen of Theme I claim to be, this tablescape is not as matchy-matchy as many others, such as Casual Christmas Table Set for Holiday Season.
Other than the centerpiece, table runner and butter knife, the only other nutcracker elements are these festive crackers found at Pier 1. I loved them so much, I bought three packages at a post-Christmas clearance.
Christmas is the only occasion I can use Lenox Holiday Nouveau dinner plates. Another lovely gift from my parents, this time for our 25th wedding anniversary.
Holiday Nouveau is currently available, although I don’t believe they still make my uniquely-shaped dinner plate? I love the rounded-square corners, plaid ribbon and how well they coordinate with my Lenox Eclipse china.
Do any of you have the Holiday Nouveau pattern? They even made a tissue holder to match!
Setting the Holiday Table
Waterford Kenmare pattern crystal also graces the Christmas table. I’ve placed the champagne on top of the holiday plate, to hold shrimp cocktail — a family tradition.
Napkins matching the tablecloth are tucked next to each champagne glass; being careful not to cover the holly design. No fancy fold, just a simple Christmas tree-like shape.
Vintage flatware belonged to my husband’s great grandmother. Although Enchantress by International is not a pattern I may have picked, I’ve come to treasure it. I love it’s patina and family history; having graced many tables.
Gold tapers, ornament balls and individual votives glow around the table, while little gold trees hold place cards.
A few china and crystal serving pieces are scattered around the table. Next to my husband’s place is a wine plate and several stoppers.
I always pick up a few at post-holiday sales for next year’s stocking stuffers and hostess gifts to accompany a bottle of wine.
What’s your go-to holiday hostess gift?
Time to Make Merry
I hope you’ve enjoyed having a seat at my Christmas Day table?
2021 Update: For my Christmas holiday table, I made hand painted Nutcracker Glasses & Crafted Napkin Rings out of ornaments. The post provides detailed descriptions to make your own and photos of the restyled nutcracker theme tablescape.
If you are just visiting or a newer subscriber to Debbee’s Buzz, you might enjoy seeing last year’s holiday tablescapes.
Enchanting Woodland Tablescape for Christmas features a deer on a toboggan centerpiece. For a different take using the same holiday plates, see Christmas Brunch at the Red Barn Tablescape.
It’s a Wrap! 
Yesterday the last packages arrived (whew) and I picked eldest son up from the airport before the deluge began.
Today the rest of the Christmas cards went in the mail. Finally! Tonight, I finish up menu planning and tomorrow morning I do the better part of grocery shopping. Hubby will be sent out Christmas Eve to pick up the rest. Only one more cookie recipe to bake. Youngest son arrives tomorrow, after driving across the state. By then, the heavy rain should be over (fingers crossed!).
Mom is coming to Pittsburgh for her youngest sister’s wedding. She’ll first spend the holiday with dad, who is in a care facility. I want her to see that their cherished holiday decorations now have a place in my home. Wish my dad could be here too…
A very merry Christmas to you all, and may God bless us, every one!
Post Related Picks
Pin Me Please!
Featured Post
Link Parties
I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
This post kind of just renews my fears about what’s going to happen to all the “stuff” I’ve collected over the years with dreams of passing it down. The generation behind us aren’t quite as emotionally invested in things as we were/are. Their world is not one of marrying and settling down early, living in the same house for decades, working at the same job to get a gold watch at the end of your lengthy tenure, collecting china and silver and crystal that is used only on “special occasions.” Their world moves at the speed of light and is much more transient/portable than generations past. It’s a bit worrisome to me that no one will appreciate and enjoy the fruits of my labor after I’m downsized or gone. Anyhoooo…I’m totally digging the nutcracker theme. It’s fun and traditional and colorful…the way I like to remember Christmases of old. I LOVE your Lenox and don’t recall having ever seen that shape. It’s lovely!My go-to holiday hostess gift? Really nice toilet paper!I know that sounds insane, but think about it: the person has many people traipsing in and out all season long, many of whom need to use the facilities! Merry Christmas, Debbee!
Alycia, didn’t mean to stress you out, as I hope you could see my tale actually has a happy ending, in that many of the most sentimental, handmade, and things that held important memories are passed down and are appreciated. Read my Decorate Tree with Vintage Treasures. As you know, I have sons, and I’m confident the most valuable (in sentimental value vs. dollars) like the tin their grandma filled with cookies, the train and angel from my first Christmas, their great-great grandmothers’ crystal and flatware, etc. will pass along with the stories behind them. More important that they have fond memories of the tables I set and feeling of magic my husband and I created at Christmastime, than the things. All the best, a happy, healthy 2019!
I’m not sure how nutcrackers came to be associated with Christmas, but I so enjoy their whimsy and endless variations. Your collection makes a wonderful centerpiece and the memories are even better! I’ve always admired Lenox Holiday Nouveaux and loved experiencing it with you. Merry Christmas!
Hi Sandra! I think nutcrackers must be associated with Christmas because of the ballet set during the holidays. It’s kind of like Scottie dogs and Christmas — in that case because of the Scottish plaids used for decorating? Every year, someone buys me a set of flannel plaid and Scottie PJs (because of my own dog). So glad you enjoyed the centerpiece and my story telling. Mom arrived yesterday and was thrilled to see all the nutcrackers on display. Happy, happy holidays!
Hi, Debbee. I love your whimsical nutcracker tablescape and the colors on your nutcracker crackers (say that fast ha! ha!). The table runner is wonderful! I don’t have the Holiday Nouveau china, but I do have the table linens which I like to use sometimes when I put out our Lenox Holiday set– that way, all the colors work but things don’t look too matchy-matchy. Hope you and yours had a perfect Christmas–we surely did. Hugs!
It is hard to say fast! Just couldn’t pass up that runner when I saw it, and one of the few table decorating items easy to store. It’s funny how the black in the nutcracker elements work so nicely with the gold and black in my regular and holiday Lenox china. My mom and sons really, really liked the change from the peacock theme.
I loved your Nutcracker tablescape. My 36 year old daughter has always loved Nutcrackers–and every year I try to add another to her collection. This year it was a caramel colored dog with chaps and a cowboy hat. She has horses and an Anatolian shepherd who is more almond than caramel. I usually pick up one after Christmas or thrift one for her. I am a sentimentalist, too. Some people just don’t have it in their genes; my grandmother did, my mother didn’t. I’m so glad I have some of my Babci’s things!!
Kathy, what a lovely holiday tradition! The cowboy dog nutcracker sounds really unique and special. How much fun you must have on your annual hunt! Neither of my grandmothers were sentimental, although I have things that belonged to each of them. Mom really enjoyed her visit and was thrilled to see the nutcracker table (she’s not at all into my peacock passion LOL), and all the other holiday decorations and ornaments. She also enjoyed all the different Christmas and New Years tables I set.
I adore your nutcracker tablescape for Christmas, Debbee! I have an ever growing nut cracker collection that began about 15 years ago. This has given me an idea for our breakfast table for next year. It’s so wonderful that you managed to incorporate pieces from your mother into your decor.
Those nutcrackers are addicting aren’t they? I’ve had to refrain every year from adding to my small collection due to lack of display and storage space. I do have nutcracker ballet character Byers figures, ornaments, etc. Looking forward to seeing your table next year! Had a wonderful visit with mom and was delighted by her reaction to all the decorations and tables.
What a fun theme for a Christmas table! I have a few mercury glass nutcrackers that were given to me as a gift years ago. I especially love that table runner. I hope you and your family have a happy and blessed Christmas! xo Kathleen
Mercury glass nutcrackers? They sound really special and unique Kathleen; what a wonderful gift! Seeing that tablerunner is what prompted me to use the nutcrackers to create the centerpiece and theme. Usually I have peacock feather trees and Peacock Ornaments Decorate Chandelier at Christmas in the dining room and Decorate for Christmas with a Peacock Theme.
Debbie, I’m thinking of doing a nutcracker theme table for Christmas Eve. I have a few ideas in mind, but this post popped up when I put in nutcracker tablescape. It’s certainly a fun tablescape. Merry Christmas!
Sarah, you and I like a lot of the same things, themes! Hope you have a wonderful holiday too.
Another fun post for me. I love seeing and reading about your collections. I’ve been giving my niece Christmas things each year, and it’s heart warming to see her use and enjoy them.
We’ve only pulled out a trio of the oldest and dearest of the nutcrackers. You are fortunate to have a niece who values your holiday decorations. My sons love the nutcrackers! And, I know they appreciate family heirloom, vintage things. But, I do have a lot of stuff! Hopefully, I will have daughter-in-laws and grandchildren who will also.
Your table is absolutely delightful! The Nutcracker Christmas crackers drew me in, and then the rest of your nutcrackers captivated me. I’m sad o say that I don’t own a single nutcracker but I’ve always admired them. They work so beautifully on your table! I love how you put together your centerpiece! We are about two years away from retirement and your comments about downsizing your mom are echoing some of my own thoughts. It’s so difficult figuring out what stays and what goes.
Thanks for having a virtual seat at my table Maria! Ever since my dad brought the first nutcracker home from Germany, I’ve loved them. I’ve named each for a German family tree surname. There are gorgeous dinner plates with nutcrackers I’d love to have. But not only are they expensive, but I’d have to store them — to use one day a year. We retired early two years ago, and I’m not ready to downsize yet. My two sons won’t possibly be able to absorb all my (and my parents) holiday decoration collections. However, they adore the nutcrackers and will have to draw straws as to which ones each gets, lol! Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday!
Wow! This is quite the collection of nutcrackers. My collection is in it’s infancy with only a few so far. You’ll be featured at this week’s Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party, live tomorrow at 5pm EST 🙂
So glad you enjoyed them and thanks for the feature Alexandra! Even though some of my nutcrackers are larger and more elaborate, it’s the ones that came home with my dad — or hubby and I — from Germany that are the most sentimental. They’re also the oldest. Every year, my two adult sons pester me about which nutcrackers I will eventually give each lol! Enjoy adding to your collection and happy holidays.
It’s a Christmas wonderland with all those nutcrackers!
Do you love nutcrackers too Valerie? I just put my pieces away yesterday for the year and miss them already!
Hi , beautiful decorations! do you happen to know the brand of your nutcracker table runner you found at Marshall’s? Thank you!
Sorry, it took me a little while to respond Ruth, I had to pull it out of my cedar closet. The brand is Cynthia Rowley. Let me know if you track one down. Merry Christmas! (P.S. tomorrow I’m posting an updated nutcracker theme table setting with hand painted glasses and crafted napkin rings).