For many Southerners, the holidays haven’t arrived until the table is set with Spode’s Christmas Tree china. The beloved pattern, with its green rim and multi-hued illustrated ornaments, pairs well with just about any color combo, but that’s only one reason the old-faithful collection has been a Southern mainstay for so long. For many of us, it’s downright nostalgic—as much a part of the day as our grandmother’s go-to cookie recipe and the handmade ornaments that pepper the tree. This year, we tapped four tastemakers to dream up three new ways to set the table with this classic pattern. Here’s how they infused Spode’s Christmas Tree china with extra-festive spirit.
The Spin: Ikat + Blue and White
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“A blue-and-white look is something that works year-round. It’s timeless,” says Houston designer Paloma Contreras. “I figured, why couldn’t you use it for the holidays? It actually lends itself to this season very, very well.” To keep this combo from feeling too fussy, she established the scene with an ikat tablecloth from Mrs. Alice and then topped it with sage place mats from Table Matters and punchy napkins from Chefanie. Her floral picks (black-and-white anemones and burgundy ranunculus) help too. “The flowers feel a bit crisper in contrast to the crystal glasses,” says the designer, who car. “They’re classic, but there’s something about them that says, ‘This isn’t your grandmother’s setting.’ ”
Her Clever Prep Move
“The table is integral to creating a beautiful atmosphere for a party, and that’s something you can fully control ahead of time,” says Contreras. “You may even set it a few days in advance and tweak as you see fit. That can eliminate a lot of stress, because it’s one less thing you have to do—and it sets the mood.”
The Spin: Plaid + Woodsy Elements
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Buffy Hargett Miller
“With the holidays, we always think of snow, Santa on his sleigh, and reindeer who live at the North Pole. None of that is Southern, except for the pine trees,” St. Simons Island, Georgia, designer Elaine Griffin says, laughing. “But it’s okay to bring that snowy-cabin romance to us. That’s what my table does—even if people are wearing shorts.” She anchored the display with a handsome wool plaid and balanced its richness with laid-back textures and wild centerpieces. “We like to bring in natural elements for spring and summer, but the reality is that they’re just as great in the winter,” she says.
Her Expert Advice
Instead of considering what you already have as the star of the show, think of it as the best supporting actor,” says Griffin of her approach to reimagining pieces you’ve owned for years. Then from there, pile on new-to-you finds. “I love a lush, layered table when hosting,” she says. “Entertaining is an occasion where more is merrier.”
The Spin: Pink + Pretty Piping
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“I love an unexpected color palette if something’s feeling stale,” says Florida influencer Molly Boyd, one half of the sister duo behind the Instagram series #YouCanSetWithUs, a table-laying initiative first launched to spark delight during the pandemic. Here, they introduced pink to the traditional Christmas pairing of red and green, choosing sunburst-shaped place mats from Mrs. Alice and mini lamps with marbled shades from Houses & Parties. “It just looks feminine and fresh,” says her sister, Sarah Tucker. The block print tablecloth from Sweetgrass Home, along with velvet ribbons tied around the napkins and place cards from a collaboration with Joy Creative Shop, dial up the welcoming atmosphere. “Being invited into someone’s home is a different kind of gift,” says Tucker.
Their Easygoing Ethos
“You don’t have to go crazy,” says Boyd. “Buy grocery store flowers; use stuff from your yard and around the house. That makes it special. And if you need to borrow pieces from family and friends, just ask them!” Tucker adds, “It’s an honor to share your things for someone else’s celebration.”
