We've always had Christmas and Thanksgiving at our house, but since our daughter and her family have moved back to Big Rapids, we've split the holidays. She has hosted Thanksgiving, and I have continued hosting Christmas.

We usually eat brunch as we're opening gifts and then snack all day while we wait for our big dinner.

A couple of years ago, we had my daughter's family over for dinner one night and I added a pretty centerpiece and battery-operated, child-safe candles to the table. Our sweet Levi was about four years old and when he sat down at the table he exclaimed, "This is pretty!!" His little face was low to the table, because he was short, and it was all lit up and sparkling. I've never forgotten it and always been surprised that a little guy would even notice.  But apparently, everyone loves a pretty table!
We don't sit down to the table until dinner time and every year I use the same dishes. My husband bought them for me when we were still on a tight budget and I've had them for about twenty years now. They bring back memories of when our children were little and all the Christmases we've shared.
This plate set has been a great neutral and has worked every year, no matter what color I was decorating with that decade! :) The last several years I've placed them on gold chargers.
I replaced my large sleigh centerpiece with this small wooden sleigh and some gold deer that echo the plate pattern. Faux evergreen boughs line the middle of the table, draped with gold ribbon and ornaments.
Every year I buy paper napkins at HomeGoods. They always have the prettiest patterns for the holidays. This year I tucked them into my gold stemmed wine glasses.
The candlesticks are from Ballard and come in a set of five. For some more bling, I added some ornaments to our chandelier.


And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2