Hello, and welcome to my blog, Panoply. Today I'm happy to be sharing the beginnings of Christmas and winter decor with a tablescape for you.
Before I have the Scandinavian or Fair Isle police after me, let me just say right away that I have taken artistic liberties in the style elements I have assembled on my table today, and I am aware of it!
I'm happy to be hosting this as just one of many bloggers in this, a Christmas Tablescape blog hop. You will find tons more inspiration with all the participants' links near the end of this post.Gnome for the Holidays is probably the most appropriate tablescape I could create for this particular year. Prior to setting this table, I spent a very intense, physical ten days relocating a sibling from living in South Carolina the past 28 years back to West Virginia, with the help of another sister. There is Gnome Place Like Home❣️
I guess you could say this tablescape was years in the making. It was initiated by a grab bag gift I received in 2009 from Mr. P's family. Williams Sonoma carried the Nordic Elf line, and I received two of the four drinking mugs from that series. The set depicts the cutest elf, traipsing through the snow and building a snowman. The plates below, clockwise from top L, depict the four scenes also found on the mugs.
Three years ago I randomly came across the matching Nordic Elf cookie jar at an estate sale. 
The Swedish dala horse was another (recent) estate sale find, and the Fair Isle textiles and gnome pedestal were purchased new to round out the table decor.
My faux paperwhites are another estate find from last year, joining several stuffed gnomes that found their way onto the table. 
This table lifts my mood each time I pass by. I know it will be a table my granddaughter will love for Christmas morning brunch, and she will likely take a gnome family off my hands.😉 The mugs are at each place setting with a peppermint stir stick, ready for hot chocolate.
The glasses are also set and ready for Christmas breakfast mimosas.
Oh, and I even found these cute Fitz and Floyd gnome shakers at another estate sale. The original set did not have two of the same, but this is how I found them at the sale. 
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Then, two years ago I decided to complete my mug set and small plates, and sourced them on eBay. Lo and behold, this year I came across the Tom Clark Santa (1983) and elf (1984) gnomes at an estate sale.
My dinner plates are kid-friendly melamine, perfect for Christmas brunch. They were a Juliska reward redemption!
We had our first snowfall on November 21st. According to Farmer's Almanac lore, the weather on November 21 sets the pattern for winter. We shall see. For my sister who just relocated from SC, it could be a rude awakening. For those of us who've been here in WV all along, it could be winter frolic time!
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Gnome for the Holidays Source List
Tablecloth, glassware, peppermint sticks - HomeGoods
Table Runner, napkins, cake pedestal - Belk
Mugs, plates (WS Nordic Elf) - gift, plus additional sourcing on eBay
Nordic Elf cookie jar, dala horse, paperwhites arrangement, FF salt/pepper shakers, Tom Clark gnomes - estate sale finds
Dinner Plates (Country Estate Winter Frolic) - Juliska
Napkin rings - MacKenzie-Childs
Flatware - Bed, Bath & Beyond
Stuffed elves - various (Kroger, HomeGoods, Dollar Tree)
And lo and behold, it's a Christmas miracle! I was able to get my tree decorated on Sunday. I'm so far behind, y'all, I think I'm ahead!
Please enjoy more Christmas tablescape inspiration from this group of talented bloggers below. The links will take you directly to their posts.
🎄Panoply - Gnome for the Holidays
🎄Home is Where the Boat Is - A Delivery from St. Nick
🎄My Thrift Store Addiction - Gingerbread Galore Homespun Christmas Tablescape
🎄Everyday Living - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
🎄Pandora's Box - Holly and Jolly
🎄The Bookish Dilettante - Evergreen Inspired Christmas Tablescape
🎄The Little Yellow Corner Store - The Magic of a Nutcracker Christmas Tablescape
🎄Celebrating Everyday Life - How to Style an Elegant Black & White Christmas Table
🎄The Painted Apron - Christmas Sparkle
🎄The Cat's Whiskerz - A Christmas Tablescape in Traditional Colors
🎄Life and Linda - Nutcracker Themed Tablescape
🎄Dinner at Eight - Plaid Patterns for a Warm and Cozy Christmas Table
🎄Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Christmas at the Barn
🎄Thrifting Wonderland - All is Bright Tablescape
🎄Red Cottage Chronicles - A Red and White Christmas Tablesetting
I hope you find peace and joy in this holiday season. I wish you all the best of health and prosperity. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Boxing Day to you all!
If you leave a comment (I encourage you!), please make sure you leave your email if you'd like a reply. Often readers' comments show up as Anonymous, which makes it really hard to know the source.
Rita C. at Panoply
Good Morning Rita! What an adorable table…it would lift my spirits too! Has J seen it yet? I bet she’s smitten. Isn’t it fun for a table to evolve over time, collecting tableware or linens. It’s shopping serendipity like you had a plan all along and your antique booth business lends itself perfectly to curating and fostering pieces to style tables. I love the table runner for the winter season and Country Estate Winter Frolic plates. I know you’re glad to be ‘gnome’…I had to chuckle at “I'm so far behind, y'all, I think I'm ahead!” 🤣 A fun tidbit, your salt and pepper shakers are part of Fitz and Floyd Woodland Santa series that matches my bunnies and bunny compote from yesterday’s table. The other shaker was a bunny. We had showers overnight, the first snowflake we’ve seen since January of 2022. Such a difference for our normally mild December weather and after 20 minutes of fall weather. Thank you so much for all your hosting and organizing efforts. I hope you can relax and enjoy all the special moments of the Christmas season. 🎄 ❤️
ReplyDeleteThis is THE happiest table EVER! I'm such a sucker for gnomes and that red/white/blue wonderful table runner over the white cloth is perfect. The plates are fantastic. There isn't an element in this I would change and if I were lucky enough to visit WV, I would hope you would invite me to join you at the table! It would be a total delight and I can see why you are happy just walking by!
ReplyDeleteI hope your sister is fairly well settled by now -- it's tough, moving at this time of year, even with loads of help, when you really want to dig in and celebrate the season! You were a champ to spend a couple of weeks helping but I know you wouldn't have it any other way. Happy week, Rita. This table rocks!
Merry Tuesday and good morning, Rita! I know J is going to love this table. I love seeing my grands eyes light up as I know J’s will at your fun gnome Tablescape. It is amazing how you collect and assemble pieces over time. Those two mugs in 2009 evolved into a beautifully curated table. The table runner puts one into the Christmas season immediately. I admire your diligence in relocating your sister, definitely a labor of love. It has turned really cold after unseasonably warm November. We haven’t seen any white stuff! A special thank you for organizing and hosting the blog hops in the middle of all that you have going on right now. I hope you can slow down and enjoy this most wonderful time of the year ❤️
ReplyDeleteRita, your gnome-themed table is just darling! You always manage to coordinate every detail so beautifully. Pinned! Thanks for being the hostess with the mostest and have a joyous Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute and colorful table - I really like the dinner plates (they don't look plastic at all). I know its been a busy time for you, but now it's time to relax and enjoy the holiday season! Little J will love the gnomes!
ReplyDeleteRita, ❤️love your Gnome for the holidays table. So joyful and cute. It is sure to bring big smiles from J. Such a unique way to create a table with fun gnome decor over time. The Country Estate Winter Frolics plates are so pretty. They look fabulous with those mischievous gnomes. Little by little, you added to your collection. Love the overhead shot too. Chilly here, no snow. Thank you so much for organizing and hosting these fun blog hops. Happy Holidays Rit>
ReplyDeleteWhat fun Rita, you have quite a collection of gnomes, and they look very happy that you brought them out to play! I can picture little J grabbing and hugging the soft ones! The runner you used is perfect, it matches with their hats. So many great estate sale finds, the mugs and plates look great with your Juliska dinner plates. I love the gnome cake stand you bought, adorable! I love melamine plates, their are so many cute ones now. I hope now that your sister is settled and you have your tree up and have set this table, you can relax a little and enjoy the holiday season! Thank you for all the time and effort you put in being our great hostess! Merry Merry!
ReplyDeleteJenna
This is the happiest funnest table I have seen in a very long time! Thank you -- we can all use more of that! Ellen Shook
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Rita. The Gnome Tablescape is so unique and so charming. It truly gives a Nordic feel and the little gnomes are adorable. The dinnerware set is one of a kind. It is a perfect combination with your table runner and all of the little stuffed gnomes on the table. You hit a treasure when you found all of these pieces. It is a tablescape enjoyed by all--adults and children alike. The colors of red and light blue are really playful and lively. I love the cake plate and cookie jar too. I feel like I am celebrating the holiday in Sweden. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteRita, this is absolutely adorable and will bring a huge smile to the face of everyone who sees it! How fun to hear how you sourced all the elements for the table. Love the Fair Isle tablerunner, and all the amazing color! Happy Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable theme Rita! I'm sure your granddaughter will love it. I know she is a big part of the choices you make these days, as she should be! I have to say that I am missing the snow this time of year. Granted, I will be thankful I don't have it the day after Christmas but for the moment, I could use a little. I hope your sister adjusts quicker than we have. Very homesick still. Happy holidays to all of you!
ReplyDeleteRita, your crown of glory is shinning brighter after 10 days of selflessly helping your sister move her home of 28 years. Yes, your Gnome Place Like Home is an appropriate title for this darling table, and how fun to open a grab bag and find these charming little elves. How exciting to have found the matching cookie jar! The snowy scenes look great paired with the Juliska Winter Frolic. Those Juliska plates are some of my favorite because they can carry a winter theme all the way through February.
ReplyDeleteYour estate sale finds are perfect for this table. I love the face on the Tom Clark Santa.
The gnome theme and the Swedish style decor on your table is fun, Rita. And look at your tree up and all decorated. Mine sits in the corner bare except for twinkling lights, but honestly I love that look as well!
Sad to have missed participating in this hop, but thrilled I get to take in all the inspiration. Your hops are the best!
Happy Holidays!
Rita, your Gnome for the Holidays table is absolutely delightful and would be enjoyed by kids and adults alike! I love how it evolved over the years and all the cool finds from estate sales. The snowman building plates are adorable and I've always really liked that Juliska pattern. Love the linens that you chose too. I know exactly what you mean when you are so far behind that it feels like you're in first place lol. I do hope you get some time to relax and enjoy the season and I thank you for hosting these fabulous hops. Merry December to you and Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHow much fun, Rita! I love the plates, how they show the progression of the gnome making his snowman. The cookie jar was quite the find! I think you chose the perfect table linens for the gnome set. Baby J will love your table and its theme. I also want you to know that I appreciate your puns about your sister. ;P
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting these blog parties. I always enjoy participating and visiting the other blogs!
What sweet plates, Rita and so nice to have the matching mugs. they really go a long way to creating this wonderful nordic tablescape. The overview shot showing a simple white table as the backdrop for your setting is perfect. Scandinavian tables are very stream-lined and you accomplished that look while creating a very cozy table...not an easy accomplishment. Love the red and white table runner and the cookie jar looks great. Organizing the hop and creating a great tablescape makes you an amazing lady in my view. It's been such a pleasure working with you. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteLynne
You really got the Scandinavian and Gnome theme down beautifully Rita! Love the dishes and all the gnome and elf pieces.
ReplyDeleteRita, first, thank you for putting this hop together while you have been so busy taking care of family- I am sure both required a lot of work! Now- on to your adorable table!!! I love the Nordic mood of your table!!! How wonderful that you were able to complete your set after all these years. You have found so many fun items in keeping with the cute mood of the table- it’s always fun to see these found items!! I think I would have as much fun as your granddaughter will have!! I hope you and your family have a joyful Christmas Season!!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Rita. The table hops are so much fun to see all the different styles for the holidays. Your Gnome Elf tableware is so cute. Glad you got your sister moved. With just recently moving I know what a big job and how much stress goes with all of it. You are an angel to help her out. Merry Christmas. Kris
ReplyDeleteRita, I didn't think Gnome's could be any more adorable! Your Nordic themed table is giving all the Christmas feels! I especially love the wee gnome pointing proudly to his snowman! So cute! The border around the plates is very eye catching! Thanks so much for hosting the blog hops this year! It is always a pleasure to participate.
ReplyDeleteRita, I love to read about how a table begins as an idea then evolves into a personal display. The gnomes are a whimsical take on wintry themes and are a perfect way to welcome the holiday season. I love the adorable red Swedish horse! Thank you for organizing such a fantastic blog hop. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what a beautiful and fun table scene! I love that so many of the pieces were sourced secondhand as well! I have a bright red chair I just picked up at an estate sale. I'm waiting on the upholstery cleaners to get to it (it's seen a lot of love and use in its lifetime!). When it's clean though, I will definitely use some Fair Isle inspiration from you to style it for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteEmma, thank you so much.
DeleteHi Rita! You won the prize for the cutest tablescape and the clever blog post title!!! I couldn't stop smiling looking thru the pics. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Are you staying gnome? Couldn't resist.
ReplyDelete