Our Christmas Table & Holiday Traditions

Hey, all! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! Mine was extra special because my sister also got married this weekend, and it was such a fun, beautiful wedding!
Along with my table decor, today I will be sharing some of the things that have become traditions with my family, and I hope that you will share some of your traditions in the comments as well.

Since so many of our traditions happen around the table, I thought this would be a great time to share our Christmas tablescape with you. Like many families, we sit down and enjoy a special meal together each Christmas.
Not only is the food always especially delicious, but is one of the only times of year where I put away the Cs’ usual plastic plates in favor of something a little more fancy! 🙂

I love mixing some of my newer pieces with things that have been passed down in my family, like my grandmother’s napkins and real silver flatware. It is so special to be able to have those things to remember her by.

My other grandmother’s china cabinet also graces our dining room so her memory is with us too, and it is fun to change out its contents to coordinate with the holiday season.

One family tradition that goes all the way back to my mother’s childhood is to have fondue around the table on Christmas Eve. I love it not only because of the yummy food that comes with it, but also because it’s a great interactive meal, which makes the perfect setting for conversation and making memories.

Another “around the table” tradition that was one of my favorites growing up happened at my aunt’s house every year. (Now no judging because it does sound silly. 😉 ) She had napkin rings that were pictures of each of the 12 days of Christmas, and we would sing the song through with everyone singing the part of the napkin ring that was at their seat. (As I got older, I became wiser and tried to sit at the 11th or 12th day so my terrible singing voice didn’t have to be heard for many verses!)

The Christmas table is such an important place to me because every time I’m there memories come flooding back of past Christmases spent with the family that I love so much, celebrating the birth of Jesus together. I look forward to many more years of these traditions and to creating new Christmas traditions around the table with my family as well.
Enjoy your week!

I love your pinecone idea! I’ll have to try this out. Super inexpensive and looks so festive!
True! I’m all about simple! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week, Nicole!
~Abby =)
So pretty and what a fun group post to be a part of! Christmas tables are so pretty!
Thanks so much, friend! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Oh, your table looks so beautiful! What wonderful memories and traditions. I would so be with you on aiming for the 11th or 12th day of Christmas… No one needs/wants to hear me sing that much! 😉
Lol! Thanks so much, Rachel! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
your table looks gorgeous! And I love the Christmas tradition of the 12 days of Christmas what a fun idea! Maybe I should suggest that for our family this year :-).
Thank you, Chaney! Yes, the 12 days of Christmas thing is fun– just make sure no one has a video camera! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
Your table is beautiful! Your Grandmother’s flatware and Mercury glass, how could it get any better? I’m stealing your chair ornament idea. Thank you! I have the round back chairs too and have been dithering over decorations for the back. Simple and elegant! Loving this hop!
Thank you so much, Peggy! Yes, I’m all about simple! Steal away! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
So sweet, and I would definitely be snagging that twelfth seat every year. 😉 I gave the kids something other than plastic at Thanksgiving and nothing got broken…I’m still amazed. Great table Abby! 🙂
~Sarah
Yes! I think maybe it’s the “special occasion” factor that helps them be a little more careful and not break anything. 🙂 Thanks so much, Sarah! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Absolutely gorgeous, Abby! I love the monochrome silver with those gorgeous white roses! Fondue is one of my favorites also, ESPECIALLY when it comes to interacting with your friends and family!
xo,
Kylie
Thank you, friend! Yes– LOVE fondue! Such a good community experience, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s yummy too! 😉 Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Fondue on Christmas Eve sounds like such an engaging and warm activity! I want to steal your idea! How fun! And, I love the idea of singing the Twelve Days of Christmas. SO many great ideas. Your table is decorated beautifully, too.
Thank you so much, Carrie! Yes, fondue is one of my favorites! We don’t take the time to do it often enough throughout the year, so I love that it’s our special Christmas Eve thing! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
i love the 12 days of christmas singing around the table- SO fun!
Lol…it was fun, but I’m glad no one ever recorded it! Our vocal talents weren’t the best! 😀 Hope you’re having a great week, Cassie!
~Abby =)
The 12 days of Christmas singing is awesome. I’d totally hide out at the end though too! Such a fun memory!
It was a fun time, though I’m glad no one ever got it on video… that could be some serious blackmail! 😉 Hope you have a wonderful week, Michelle!
~Abby =)
Your table is gorgeous, Abby! Love that mercury glass vase, swooon! Christmas dinner is such special time at our house as well. We open presents on Christmas Eve, right after dinner ♥ Enjoy the holiday season!Xo
Thank you, friend! Ooh my boys would love to open their presents Christmas Eve– they’re always chomping at the bit! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week, Aniko!
~Abby =)
Your Christmas table setting looks extremely elegant. Love your granny’s silverware. While growing up we used to have family dinners the whole week leading upto Christmas . I can never forget the amazing plum cakes my mom used to make. I don’t have all those people in my life anymore as they live in Heaven but I sure have a lot of sweet childhood memories of Christmas.
Gorgeous! Love the simplicity and the ornament on the back of the chair!!
Abby, your table is gorgeous and I love how you are able to incorporate items handed down to you through the generations. I also love the singing story tradition. I’d probably do the same as you so I wouldn’t have to sing as long, haha.
Wow, Abby! Your tablescape is wonderful! I love the mercury glass accenting the greenery!
I bought those same silver salad plates this year! I love the story about the 12 days of Christmas being sung! Memories like that are wonderful, aren’t they?
Wow! I absolutely love this! So many beautiful details. It’s great to be a part of this tradition tour with you!